Might have to start importing all my tech from the EU at this rate.
Someone found some code that referenced geo-blocking features. So if you are physically in Europe, then it should work and when you are outside of Europe then it wouldn’t.
I’m not sure if they plan to use the os with way, but maybe they will.
Maybe turning on a vpn will do the trick.
I’m guessing that they will lock it to Europe for some time, but in the next iOS update roll it out world wide as they see the writing on the wall.
But Apple always seems to find a way to disappoint.
It’s likely to be based on your iOS account.
In order to use the EU store, your account just needs an EU address & credit card on file.
I say this because I have a coworker who came from Ukraine and today he asked me how to find the Tim Hortons app on the app store. His phone was still loading the EU store so there was no app found.
Once he changed his apple account address to Canada and added his Canadian card, he had access to the NA store.
This policy is so frustrating for me.
I’m from the US but live in another country.
There are so many apps that are only available in one country or another so I effectively have two phones just so I can access all my banking apps and some streaming stuff.
You can create another Apple ID in the country you need. I am a Canadian in the US and couldn’t change the country of my Apple ID because I have active subscriptions (another idiotic limitation) I created a second ID with a US address and CC. Downloaded US-only apps just fine and didn’t lose my Canada-only ones either.
Faraday cage and GPS simulator? A hackrf and some tinfoil can probably do it for a few hundred bucks
How are you getting an Internet connection in which to download, if you're in a Faraday cage?
Wifi inside the cage?
A faraday cage doesn’t neutralize all wireless communication in its area, just from passing through its walls. Meaning that any network hardware within the cage would work just fine. You could even just slip the antenna in and leave the rest of the unit outside if the cage isn’t large enough.
Serious answer... the GPS (and location tracking in general) on an iPhone is disabled by default and you're asked to opt-in when you set up a new device. You don't have to enable location features and you can change your mind later — on a case by case basis as well. So you an have GPS in maps and weather reports, but not allow the general system services to access your location.
I'm sure Apple will heavily region-lock this.
I’m really interested to see how they’re going to region lock this. Will it be where the device was sold? Does that comply with EU regulations? Will it be geographical location? If I move to the US, will it lock the side loaded apps? If I grab a VPN can I side load things?
I wouldn't be surprised if it's the country where the SIM originates. A prepaid eSIM from an EU carrier (as secondary sim) is pretty cheap though and might work if this is what they do.
Interesting thought! This wouldn’t work for iPads and iPhones with no sim (but use WiFi) though
Any recent iPhone/iPad will support eSIM. It would work just fine for them.
An eSIM still requires an account with a carrier, which is optional when you setup a new phone.
Yes, but you can just contact an EU company that provides eSIMs and get one.
Yeah I'm curious too. There doesn't seem like there is a good way.
I’m looking forward to FDroid both because I support open source and because it’ll presumably be called Fapple or the Fapp Store and really disappoint some confused horny people when it’s just things like Termux and privacy apps.
More like F-Apple. Don't pronounce it.
FiOS makes the most sense to follow the naming convention.
AltStore also already exists
As much as i’m excited about this, “rumors predict” and “this is coming” are not the same
I mean, what else could they do except comply?
It's Apple we're talking about. They will find ways to continue gatekeeping this as hard as possible
I mean TBF, everyone speculated that Apple would do some wacky antics to avoid putting a USB C port in their phones, like providing an adapter or removing it altogether.
Think Different
I would love to see alternative operating systems, not just app stores.
Android or some other Linux based os on iPhone hardware anyone?
There's hardware we don't know how to write free software for, because they won't tell us how to use the hardware. That's shocking. They want to sell you the product and they won't tell you how to use it. They say "Here's a non-free [proprietary] program you can use. Run it and shut up."
Some time ago this was only about the peripetials and drivers, now this is about all phones, tablets and smart things...
Upvoted for Stallman quote
Sigh…unzips
Clickbait, still just rumours and speculation.
I mean, I agree with the rumours and speculation, but that doesn’t make it any more confirmed.
We need true freedom not surface level sideloading. We need to be able to freely modify our devices. If I want to I should be able to install Linux on my phone.
I wonder how this will work where apple controls the OS and sort of controls the Dev tools.
The gatekeeper shall not be prevented from taking proportionate measures to ensure that third party software applications or software application stores do not endanger the integrity of the hardware or operating system provided by the gatekeeper;
To me that sounds like they won't have to offer root access to users, which is no suprise, but will they be able to continue to require certification of apps, even if they're sold on other stores?
I've only just skimmed the legislation so far.
Root is absolutely not required, you’re correct. But I don’t believe they would need to certify apps, since that kinda defeats one of the purposes.
This isn’t just “people should be able to not pay Apple a fee” it’s also “Apple has unreasonable control of the ecosystem and that is bad.” The moment Apple is allowed to just turn down whatever they don’t want on other stores, that second point is back in place.
Not to mention, Apple would be certifying apps either for free, or charging developers for that certification. Neither of which follows the spirit of the legislation.
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
