The European Commission has designated iPadOS as an “access gatekeeper” under the Digital Markets Law, aimed at ensuring fair competition in the market. This means that iPad users will soon be able to open the operating system of their tablets to support downloading applications from sources other than the App Store and uninstalling pre-installed apps.
Apple has been given six months to adapt iPadOS to comply with the strict requirements of the Digital Markets Law. Following an investigation that began in September, it was determined that iPadOS serves as an important gateway for professional users to reach end users. This shift towards greater openness and competition in the market is a positive step for consumers and professional users alike.
The changes will enable users to have more control over their devices and the applications they use. It will be interesting to see how these changes impact the Apple ecosystem and the overall user experience on iPad devices.