Apple: Difference between revisions

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{{Wplink|Apple Inc.|'''Apple'''}} is an American technology company that was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services.

Apple's current product lineup includes hardware such as the [[:Category:Apple IPhones|iPhone]], iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, AirPods, and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, ~~VisionOS~~, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and [[Apple TV+]].

Apple's current product lineup includes hardware such as the [[:Category:Apple IPhones|iPhone]], iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, AirPods, and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and [[Apple TV+]].

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This includes:

*Opening an online [~~https://support.apple.com/self-service-repair~~ Self Service Repair] parts store.

*Opening an online [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] parts store.

*Making the [https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown back glass of iPhones removable] starting from iPhone 14.

*Allowing alternative app stores in an update to iOS 17, in compliance with new [https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767#:~:text=Contact%20Apple%20Support-,Installing%20apps%20through%20alternative%20app%20distribution%20in%20the%20European%20Union,with%20iPadOS%2018%20or%20later. EU legislation].

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*[https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown An upgradeable, swappable SSD in the 2024 Mac Mini] - albeit you cannot swap these units between M4 and M4 Pro units due to the internal casing's design being different without much good reason.

*A battery removable with just a 9V battery in the 2024 [https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 iPhone 16] and [https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 iPhone 16 Plus].

Many of these items have sparked allegations of [[Malicious Compliance]] and being introduced purely to make stricter right for repair legislation appear unnecessary to legislators while not doing much to improve the situation for consumers.

For instance, pricing for parts on the [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] store is virtually identical to having the part replaced by Apple themselves (including both the price of the part and labor), alternate app installation options are limited to users in the EU, still require developers to be registered with Apple, have them approve the apps and in many cases paying them fees, and the upgradeable SSDs do not use common standards such as M.2 NVME. Unlike standard SSDs, they are also not always swappable between different models and require access to a second Apple computer to provision after installation.

===Operating system downgrades===

It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version ~~other than~~ the most recent. On Macs with T2 chip or Apple Silicon, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607083624/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |archive-date=7 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version that is no longer signed by Apple. In most cases, only the most recent version is signed. Some exceptions exist, such as certain Apple TV models and Apple Silicon Macs. Downgrading the Apple TV 4K series is not possible at all due to the lack of a USB port. On Macs with T2 chip or Apple Silicon, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607083624/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |archive-date=7 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

*No security: Allow any OS to run (same as turning off secure boot on a PC).

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Apple is expected to go to trial in early 2027.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf|title=Judge allows antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed|first=Michael|last=Liedtke|date=2025-06-30|work=Associated Press|access-date=2025-07-14|url-status=live}}</ref>

===European Union USB-C Directive 2022/2380===

As part of Directive (EU) 2022/2380, the EU mandated that all smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and other portable electronic devices must utilize USB-C as a universal charging standard by the end of 2024, with laptops following by 2026. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment (Text with EEA relevance) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref>

This regulatory measure directly addresses consumer frustration with incompatible chargers types and aims to significantly reduce electronic waste. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=USB-C-Standard: Schluss mit dem Kabelwirrwarr |url=https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=zdfheute}}</ref> The legislation allows manufacturers to unbundle chargers from devices, potentially saving consumers money, and ensures charging speed harmonization across compatible devices.

While Apple initially opposed the standardization, arguing that it would "stifle innovation rather than encourage it," the company ultimately conceded defeat, with Apple's head of marketing stating "we have no choice" regarding compliance. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10.26 |title=Apple to put USB-C connectors in iPhones to comply with EU rules |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |access-date=2025-00-02 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

===European Digital Markets Act.===

This law forced many companies including Apple to change the way they operate to create a fairer competition. Read more about this law [[Digital Markets Act|here]].

====Changes Apple introduced iOS and iPadOS to comply with this law:====

*Introduced the ability to install applications from alternative marketplaces

*asks which browser and search engine should be the default one

*Developers now are allowed to publish in the EU browsers that do not use webkit

====Controversies:====

*Apple removed iPhone torrenting app iTorrent from alternative marketplace AltStore PAL, developer said that the access was revoked "without any warning". In a statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian said, “Notarization for this app was removed in order to comply with government sanctions-related rules in various jurisdictions. We have communicated this to the developer.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Apple pulls iPhone torrent app from AltStore PAL in Europe |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903102041/https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |archive-date=September 3, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

===Elon Musk Lawsuit===

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 {{Wplink|Apple Inc.|'''Apple'''}} is an American technology company that was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services.
-Apple's current product lineup includes hardware such as the [[:Category:Apple IPhones|iPhone]], iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, AirPods, and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, VisionOS, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and [[Apple TV+]].
+Apple's current product lineup includes hardware such as the [[:Category:Apple IPhones|iPhone]], iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, AirPods, and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and [[Apple TV+]].
 <!-- Insert consumer protection summary here. -->
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 This includes:
-*Opening an online [https://support.apple.com/self-service-repair Self Service Repair] parts store.
+*Opening an online [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] parts store.
 *Making the [https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown back glass of iPhones removable] starting from iPhone 14.
 *Allowing alternative app stores in an update to iOS 17, in compliance with new [https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767#:~:text=Contact%20Apple%20Support-,Installing%20apps%20through%20alternative%20app%20distribution%20in%20the%20European%20Union,with%20iPadOS%2018%20or%20later. EU legislation].
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 *[https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown An upgradeable, swappable SSD in the 2024 Mac Mini] - albeit you cannot swap these units between M4 and M4 Pro units due to the internal casing's design being different without much good reason.
 *A battery removable with just a 9V battery in the 2024 [https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 iPhone 16] and [https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 iPhone 16 Plus].
+Many of these items have sparked allegations of [[Malicious Compliance]] and being introduced purely to make stricter right for repair legislation appear unnecessary to legislators while not doing much to improve the situation for consumers.
+For instance, pricing for parts on the [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] store is virtually identical to having the part replaced by Apple themselves (including both the price of the part and labor), alternate app installation options are limited to users in the EU, still require developers to be registered with Apple, have them approve the apps and in many cases paying them fees, and the upgradeable SSDs do not use common standards such as M.2 NVME. Unlike standard SSDs, they are also not always swappable between different models and require access to a second Apple computer to provision after installation.
 ===Operating system downgrades===
-It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version other than the most recent. On Macs with T2 chip or Apple Silicon, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607083624/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |archive-date=7 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>
+It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version that is no longer signed by Apple. In most cases, only the most recent version is signed. Some exceptions exist, such as certain Apple TV models and Apple Silicon Macs. Downgrading the Apple TV 4K series is not possible at all due to the lack of a USB port. On Macs with T2 chip or Apple Silicon, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607083624/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |archive-date=7 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>
 *No security: Allow any OS to run (same as turning off secure boot on a PC).
@@ Line 87: / Line 90: @@
 Apple is expected to go to trial in early 2027.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf|title=Judge allows antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed|first=Michael|last=Liedtke|date=2025-06-30|work=Associated Press|access-date=2025-07-14|url-status=live}}</ref>
+===European Union USB-C Directive 2022/2380===
+As part of Directive (EU) 2022/2380, the EU mandated that all smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and other portable electronic devices must utilize USB-C as a universal charging standard by the end of 2024, with laptops following by 2026. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment (Text with EEA relevance) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref>
+This regulatory measure directly addresses consumer frustration with incompatible chargers types and aims to significantly reduce electronic waste. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=USB-C-Standard: Schluss mit dem Kabelwirrwarr |url=https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=zdfheute}}</ref>  The legislation allows manufacturers to unbundle chargers from devices, potentially saving consumers money, and ensures charging speed harmonization across compatible devices.
+While Apple initially opposed the standardization, arguing that it would "stifle innovation rather than encourage it," the company ultimately conceded defeat, with Apple's head of marketing stating "we have no choice" regarding compliance. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10.26 |title=Apple to put USB-C connectors in iPhones to comply with EU rules |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |access-date=2025-00-02 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>
+===European Digital Markets Act.===
+This law forced many companies including Apple to change the way they operate to create a fairer competition. Read more about this law [[Digital Markets Act|here]].
+====Changes Apple introduced iOS and iPadOS to comply with this law:====
+*Introduced the ability to install applications from alternative marketplaces
+*asks which browser and search engine should be the default one
+*Developers now are allowed to publish in the EU browsers that do not use webkit
+====Controversies:====
+*Apple removed iPhone torrenting app iTorrent from alternative marketplace AltStore PAL, developer said that the access was revoked "without any warning". In a statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian said, “Notarization for this app was removed in order to comply with government sanctions-related rules in various jurisdictions. We have communicated this to the developer.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Apple pulls iPhone torrent app from AltStore PAL in Europe |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903102041/https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |archive-date=September 3, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>
 ===Elon Musk Lawsuit===