iOS cannot escape the burden of focus, Apple launches measures to help itself

Recently, Apple has launched a page called "Apps by Apple" on its official website, which displays its various applications. These official Apple applications are created for its iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple TV and other devices, and many of them are software products familiar to Apple users.

## (Source: Apple)

Now, Apple has established A huge ecological empire has been established, with complex hardware products and software applications. Now, the official has taken the initiative to create a webpage to list all its official applications and classify them into categories to help users have a clearer understanding of them.

However, Apple’s launch of a “library” of its own applications does not seem to be as simple as promoting software, but also to prepare for the upcoming “twenty years of change.”

With hundreds of apps, Apple is already the largest developer in the App Store?

On the Apps by Apple website, Apple divides its applications into six major categories, namely communication, creativity, productivity, exploration, entertainment and family, health, and functionality.

Communication is the most basic function of a mobile phone. Apple’s communication applications include phone calls, messages, FaceTime, email, etc. However, these system applications do not only exist on iPhones, but are also used on iPads, Macs and other devices. iMessage, which is a rich media network text message, and FaceTime, which is a high-definition video call, have become Apple's unique communication functions.

The creative category refers to the tools that creators can use. Needless to say, the most basic photo and camera applications, Apple has also developed tools around material processing and production. . Music production software GarageBand, video editing software iMovie and Final Cut Pro are all included in this category.

(Source: Apple)

Productivity categories divided by Apple , which is slightly different from the productivity tools we understand every day. It includes system applications such as notes, calendars, and reminders, as well as the iWork three-piece office suite. This type of application is mainly used in office scenarios.

The exploration category includes many system applications that are not easy to classify, including the browser Safari, maps, weather, search and other applications. Entertainment and home mainly focus on audio-visual entertainment applications, such as Apple TV, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, podcasts, etc., which are all applications for music, games, movies and TV series.

The health category is strongly related to wearable products. Apple has created several applications around the Apple Watch, including Apple Health, Fitness, Workout, Sleep, etc. As for the so-called functional applications, Apple includes Siri, iCloud, CarPlay, etc.

Of course, there are more than this number of official applications developed by Apple. There are hundreds of icons that appear on this website alone. This number will probably surprise many people.

## (Source: Apple)

Apple has launched such a number There are many official applications, mainly for two reasons. On the one hand, whether it is Android or iOS systems, the basic direction of development is to continuously increase and refine functions. Richer functions can meet the needs of users in all aspects and enhance the competitiveness of systems and even products. Various types of Official applications are one of the main ways to implement functions.

#On the other hand, in addition to hardware, software and content have become important business sectors for Apple. In addition to the App Store, Apple has invested heavily in music, video, games and other fields, and hopes to expand its revenue scope. Many of Apple’s official apps mentioned above are paid or include in-app purchases. Driven by this kind of interest, Apple will naturally be more active in launching various official applications.

Continuously launching official applications, Apple itself has become the largest developer in the App Store. This phenomenon will inevitably affect the interests of third-party developers, and subsequently What is more is the dissatisfaction and resistance from the outside world.

The proud Apple faces unprecedented challenges

Apple launches Apps by Apple website, of course not It is so easy to show off your own application, and the direct reason is regulatory pressure. In 2022, the European Union passed the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which will come into effect on March 5, 2024. The DMA plan stipulates that companies with a monopoly in a certain digital field must lift various restrictions and introduce competitors.

As Apple’s App Store is the only app store available on Apple devices, and developers must abide by Apple’s stipulated commission ratio, it undoubtedly conflicts with the DMA. The most direct consequence is that Apple will have to open up sideloading, that is, future iPhones and other devices will be able to bypass the App Store to install third-party applications.

(Source: Apple)

In fact, the controversy about the App Store has been a hot topic of discussion on the Internet in recent years. Previously, game developer Epic launched a challenge to Apple and questioned the rationality of the App Store mechanism. Epic's protracted lawsuit in the United States did not win, and the local judicial authorities did not overturn the App Store mechanism.

# However, globally, Apple’s closure mechanism has been ripped open. Under regulatory pressure, Apple has opened third-party payment methods for apps in the Netherlands and South Korea. Earlier, Apple took the initiative to show goodwill to small and medium-sized developers and increased the share ratio that developers receive to 85%.

However, compared with this, the EU’s DMA bill is the most deadly. It directly negates and destroys Apple's long-standing closed system model, and this mechanism is regarded by many as the cornerstone of a good Apple ecological experience.

But now, whether Apple is willing or not, it will have to open sideloading before the DMA Act takes effect, otherwise it will face sky-high fines.

Will users experience a better or worse iOS?

#The direct reason why Apple was forced to open sideloading was the EU’s antitrust stick. But when it comes to sideloading, user reactions have been mixed. Many people believe that closure is the core advantage of iOS and even the entire Apple ecosystem. The uniqueness of the App Store brings stricter control over third-party applications, and the user experience is more fully guaranteed. And if this feature is lost, Apple's advantage over Android will be gone.

However, before iOS 17 is officially released, we cannot yet conclude that sideloading will make iOS bad. The first thing to note is that iOS sideloading may not be uniformly available in global markets. After all, this requirement is currently only in the EU market. Outside of the 27 European countries, Apple can still continue to keep the iOS system completely closed. If this is the case, then for domestic users, there will be no absolute changes in iOS in this regard.

Secondly, even if Apple opens sideloading, ordinary users can still download and install applications in the App Store. Taking into account Apple’s official endorsement and user habits, the App Store still has a huge lead over sideloading channels. Apple still maintains some control over sideloading, such as granting and managing permissions. The possibility of iOS becoming like Android is not high.

(Source: Apple)

Of course, from another aspect, the existence of sideloading, It will form stronger restrictions on the App Store. On the one hand, Apple may have to lower its share ratio to retain and attract more developers. On the other hand, Apple will increase the promotion of its own applications, and launching Apps by Apple is one of the promotion methods.

Based on Xiao Lei’s personal experience, Apple’s official applications have many advantages, including a design style that is highly consistent with the system, extremely restrained advertising, and more favorable prices. Pricing. For example, compared to third-party music apps, Apple Music has a simple and beautiful interface, no advertising, and relatively low fees. Applications such as iWork and iMovie are even free. The existence of high-quality official applications can increase the appeal of Apple hardware to users to a certain extent.

It’s just that no matter how many official Apple apps there are, they can’t cover all the needs of everyone. In the vast App Store, Apple apps are only a small part of them. But now Apple is under greater competitive pressure, strengthening the promotion of its own applications and improving the quality of its own applications and services. This is not a bad thing for users.

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