Apple unexpectedly reversed its decision to completely stop supporting Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) on iOS 17.4, which was released for the European market. Similar concerns were raised following a request for approval by EU Commission officials, who emphasized that such a decision could lead to anti-competitive effects.
PWAs, in quick, are web applications that reflect local apps and offer a comparable user enjoy. They can be placed on the home screen, used with out a web connection in some cases, and are powerful sufficient to make use of the device’s built-in hardware. Previously, Apple’s decision to weaken using PWAs in Europe stemmed from its protection and privateness issues, which it believed might be better addressed via tighter controls over native apps listed in its App Store.
Moving forward, the EU Commission asserts that Apple’s decision to limit access to the environment is against both developers’ and users’ rights. They lamented that app stores would impair users’ choices and possibly hinder further innovation and competition in the mobile apps industry.
Apple’s decision to allow PWAs to continue operating in Europe marks a significant shift in this direction and demonstrates the growing influence of regulatory bodies in the tech industry. This development is hopefully a stepping stone towards propagating this trend to other regions of the world. Truly, this change will directly impact the future of mobile apps due to regulatory changes.
