American corporations know all about EU competition rules, but a comment from EU commissioner Neelie Kroes has suggested she's looking hard at the way Apple conduct its business.
Rethink Wireless reports Kroes who has previously fined Microsoft $1.44 billion for a 'lack of openness' regarding its software is concerned the smartphone market is too closed, with consumers constrained in terms of their software choices by their handsets.
Flash for all?
"We need to make sure that significant market players cannot just choose to deny interoperability with their product," Kroes stated.
"This is particularly important in cases where standards don't exist. This is not just about Microsoft or any big company like Apple, IBM or Intel. The main challenge is that consumers need choice when it comes to software or hardware products."
Not only does this throw into question Apple's continued block on Flash on iOS, but it's also been suggested Kroes may be interested in looking into how iTunes operates, perhaps even demanding the software syncs with rival devices.
Of course, any such move against Apple would be expected to be replicated across the whole industry, with only open platforms such as Android and Symbian immune.
Apple on the agenda
The comments were made as part of an as-yet incomplete EU initiative called the Digital Agenda, which is drawing up new boundaries regarding antitrust rules.
Indeed, the Digital Agenda document itself seems to back up Kroes' statement, adding that the Commission is taking care to "examine the feasibility of measures that could lead significant market players to license interoperability information while at the same time promoting innovation and competition".
The EU is increasing wary of major players dominating, rather than leading, specific markets.
Still, at the moment, this situation is best filed as highly speculative, especially as Apple would point out it's not a market leader either globally or in Europe (both Nokia), or North America (RIM)
[source: Rethink Wireless]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
News
6 hours, 40 minutes ago
Pocket Worlds’ Highrise surpasses 40 million users as it unveils new development tools
Feature
Mar 25th, 2024
5 takeaways from GDC 2024: The games industry reckons with key challenges, Godot competes with Unity, and AI was the big trend without the big announcements
Feature
Mar 25th, 2024
Hot Five: Epic’s app store plans, Turkey’s tax exemptions, and Call of Duty Warzone: Mobile finally releases globally
Events
Mobidictum Network Lisbon April 2024 | Europe | Apr 16th |
HIT Games Conference Istanbul 2024 | Apr 18th | |
App Promotion Summit London | Europe | Apr 25th |
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
Mobidictum Meetup Barcelona September 2024 | Europe | Sep 1st |
Popular Stories
Feature
Mar 25th, 2024
5 takeaways from GDC 2024: The games industry reckons with key challenges, Godot competes with Unity, and AI was the big trend without the big announcements
Interview
Mar 22nd, 2024