Apple Reverses Decision to Limit Functionality of Home Screen Web Apps in Europe
In a surprising turn of events, tech giant Apple has decided to reverse its decision to limit the functionality of Home Screen web apps in Europe. The initial decision, which sparked backlash from the developer community and raised concerns about potential investigation, will now be overturned with the general availability of iOS 17.4.
The move to restrict Home Screen web apps, which offer capabilities comparable to native iOS apps, was originally motivated by the Digital Markets Act (DMA) deadline. Many saw Apple’s decision as an attempt to hinder the emergence of the web as a true threat to its App Store dominance.
The banishment of Home Screen web apps resulted in the breaking of settings integration, browser storage, push notifications, icon badging, and other features. This prompted the Open Web Advocacy group to speak out against Apple’s actions and urge the company to reconsider.
Developer protests and reported investigations by regulators are said to have influenced Apple’s decision to reverse course. The OWA, which advocates for fair competition and support of alternative browsers on iOS, welcomed the reversal as a step in the right direction.
However, the issue is far from resolved as Euro watchdogs grapple with reconciling the DMA requirement of supporting alternative browsers with Apple’s insistence on using the WebKit engine. The outcome of this ongoing debate will shape the future of web app development on iOS devices.
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