Apple May Allow Rival App Stores on Some iPhones and iPads

Unless government regulations force it to change, Apple will do what it has always done.

Recent European Union regulations have forced Apple to loosen control over its product line. The EU has led to Apple establishing self-repair programs and will soon require Apple devices sold in the region to use a charging port. Users will be able to install third-party app stores without going through the official App Store.

The Digital Markets Act of the EU prohibits large companies from forcing users to download apps only through official channels. It is not clear how many people will be able to access App Store alternatives. In the EU, where Apple is required to do so, it is possible for it to be rolled out to the rest of the world. The new market requirements will take effect in the year twenty four.

Apple and Google keep a close eye on their respective app stores, vetting each app and making sure that any software you download onto your device complies with their rules. Users can download programs from unverified sources. The strategy has made the companies rich as they collect fees from developers who put their applications on the market. There are risks to side loading old programs onto your phone. Apple's App Store isn't perfect, and has had bad things happen to it before. Even though you use a different device, you should still take steps to avoid app store scam.

This week, there are some other news items.

In the US, covid tests are free again.

I remember Covid. The virus is still a thing, as well as all sorts of cold and flu strains. It seems like everyone is sick at the moment.

The US government makes Covid tests free for a limited time. Four free tests is better than nothing for each household. The tests can be ordered from the official Covid.gov site or by phone.

What's the matter?

The brand new Matter smart home standard can now be used by some of the devices that are powered by theAndroid operating system.

Three years have passed since Matter was first conceived by nearly 300 companies calling themselves the Connectivity Standards Alliance. The goal of the consortium is to make the smart home experience easier to navigate. Few devices have support for the interoperability standard. Now, Matter will work with the products of Google.

Users will have to make sure their devices can incorporate Matter across them in order for it to be a seamless experience.

You have to lock down your coins.

Tony Fadell is a well-known person. Since the early days of Apple's mobile device business, his work solidified hislegacy in the Silicon Valley hall of fame. He decided that he would turn his efforts tocryptocurrencies.

A French company is trying to makecryptocurrencies chic. The Stax is a sleek wallet that is a vault for your digital coins. It may seem strange to bet on a market that has been in decline. Hardware wallets are believed to be the future standard for securing everything from coins to passports.