Bloomberg news agency, citing informed sources, said that Apple is preparing to provide alternative app stores on its iPhones and iPads in the European Union next year to comply with new European competition law.
According to the report, the changes will include the ability to finally install software on iPhones and iPads without using the company’s App Store.
However, Apple has not decided whether it will comply with other provisions of the law, including allowing alternative payment systems for its own payment systems.
Allowing a company’s payment tool to bypass the billions of dollars in revenue it earns from introducing a 30% commission on purchases on its App Store could go wrong.
Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Apple’s Software and Services team is working hard to prepare Apple’s core platform systems for this change, the report says.
