Opinions?
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/04/17/app-sideloading-support-coming-ios-17/
What would this mean for #[0] #[1]
Discussion
Will they support it outside of the EU though?
The power struggle is real! I would hope…
Still sideloading hasn’t been confirmed though, has it?
I see no way they can avoid supporting open app install access much longer, I wonder more if it will get them to relax their store guidelines to keep apps on the App Store. They should if they truly cared about user safety.
I hope so. Though, they could find something around this like how they made self repair so difficult even with legislation…
I suspect it will, but I also suspect it will involve pricy distribution certificate
First I think there will be a long legal battle, the USB C port is an example. Only after a few years “it seems” that they implement it.
I think macOS is a good example, although the smaller user base makes it harder to compare.
That’s gone in the other direction, from open to closed.
Most users just use the App Store now. However, there are apps that don’t work well with the sandbox and they are free to sell directly to customers.
Then there’s third-party stores, but they don’t seem like huge markets.
And finally things like homebrew.
I think with iOS, there may be a big enough market and demand to see greater success in the third-party app stores.
Unfortunately, I think Apple will lock things down by region, have even nastier warnings, make things as awkward as possible within the letter (rather than spirit) of the law and maybe even drop customer support for any use who’s strayed from their walled garden (“void warranty, you’re on your own”).
It’s going to be difficult for them to navigate and they’ll make it as difficult for everyone else.
I hope this will be available outside the EU