EU Could Force Apple to Put Flash on iPad, iPhone
The EU could force Apple to play nice with Adobe's Flash. Not only that, but Europe could insist Apple's iTunes syncs with all devices, not just iPods and iPhones.
The European Union's Digital Agenda is an effort to foster openness and interoperability across the technology industry leading to improved user experience. The document, along with comments from EU commissioner Neelie Kroes, has led several news outlets to report that, while the EU's new legislation will have a huge effect a lot of companies, Apple in particular could be affected in a major way.
Daily Tech cites the Agenda as changing the necessary language from 'dominant' to just 'significant' with regard to what companies can be subject to scrutiny over abuse of their market position:
"Since not all pervasive technologies are based on standards the benefits of interoperability risk being lost in such areas. The Commission will examine the feasibility of measures that could lead significant market players to license interoperability information while at the same time promoting innovation and competition."
Daily Tech goes on to say that if the Digital Agenda is approved, it could give the EU the power to force Apple to allow Flash on its devices, as well as allow non-Apple devices to sync with iTunes.
Rethink Wireless quotes Kroes as saying it's not about going after companies like Microsoft, Intel or Apple, but offering consumers a choice:
"We need to make sure that significant market players cannot just choose to deny interoperability with their product. 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."
Read the full story on Daily Tech.
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Oh here we go... The EU forcing it's "great" ideas down another company's' throat(And I despise Apple completely)
No-one is 'forcing' Apple to do anything. Apple is completely free to choose not to trade in the EU. There's a big enough market in North America, East Asia and the BRICS countries to keep anyone satisfied. But if Apple wants cash from European consumers, it must play by Europe's rules.
I hate what the EU does... but it has a point this time. Apple deliberately stop other players working with iTunes; this massively reduces how competitive other players can be due to the superiority of iTunes. iPods aren't all that, people just like iTunes.
Flash is different. Apple have decided they want their software to 'just work'. Flash causes crashes and is CPU intensive which affects the feel of the iPhone / iPad.
In summary; opening up is good, forced adoption is bad.
Just my 2 cents...
Forcing Apple to allow consumers the CHOICE to access freely available Flash content on the internet is not the same as forced adoption.
Apple is censoring huge portions of the internet from it's unwitting customers... (they have no choice in the matter). That is anti-competitive and is furthering their html5 mission (ultimately to promote Safari)....
Oh and Flash runs just fine on Android 2.2 without crashes....
Hmmm I have no apple devices, so why would I want itunes ???
Hmmm I have no apple devices, so why would I want itunes ???
Don't download it then
Look what the EU did to ireland with the fishing industry. EU s**ks b*lls.
If apple wants to trade in the EU, then they have to follow the rules just like everyone else. Plusu this would actually win most android users round to using an iPhone
Nice to the EU trying to increase Apple's poor production capabilities.
Seems only fare... especially about the sync. Will EU also force Apple to allow "adult" Apps?
If apple wants to trade in the EU, then they have to follow the rules just like everyone else. Plusu this would actually win most android users round to using an iPhone
ummm not this Android user it wouldnt.
consumers have choices. more than you think! you want a mobile device that does flash? than you buy something else...
it's like forcing a car manufacturer to sell red cars because you like the red color. sorry folks, this is what we have! you like it, you buy! you don't... not a big problem, there's a lot of alternatives!
It won't be "Apple" anymore.
Apple will do what the EU say's, losing 700 million potential customers would be..uh..stupid.
If you could use flash on an iphone, your app purchases wouldn't pay for Steve Jobs new Mercedes.
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