In iOS 17.4, there will be significant changes for users in the EU group. They will now have the option to choose their default browser and download apps from external stores. However, developers have discovered that one feature, the ability to create web app icons on the Home page (PWA – Progressive Web App), is no longer available.
Apple has confirmed that this change will affect iOS 17.4 onwards for users in the EU group. They explain that due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations of the European Union, browsers must be allowed to use non-WebKit engines. Therefore, if browsers in this group were to create web apps on the Home page, there would need to be several structural adjustments to iOS, impacting security and privacy. Since the number of users creating web app icons on the Home page is relatively low, Apple has decided to eliminate this feature altogether.
However, the Open Web Advocacy organization disagrees with Apple’s approach and believes it is a pretext to hinder other browsers more than necessary.
TLDR:
iOS 17.4 introduces significant changes for users in the EU, allowing them to choose their default browser and download apps from external stores. However, the ability to create web app icons on the Home page (PWA) is no longer available due to regulations and security considerations. Apple’s decision to remove this feature has caused controversy among Open Web Advocacy.
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