Apple is shaking things up in a surprising move, as the tech giant will soon enable users to install alternative apps on its iOS devices, and it could be a real boost for NFT and Web3 startups.
Opening up its walled garden will initially launch in Europe, and it marks a huge shift from its long-time stance of only allowing downloads from its own App Store, and comes after recent criticism from Elon Musk and Coinbase.
The changes are a necessity for Apple to run in Europe to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, and there’s already pressure for Apple to run it out in the US and globally.
The changes are coming after Apple’s infamous 30% tax is coming under extreme fire from Web3 supporters, with many taking issues with the tech giant’s ability to shape and dictate how apps are allowed to interact with NFTs.
Apple is aiming to launch the new feature when iOS 17 arrives next Autumn, and it could be a real boost for crypto developers. According to the Bloomberg article, Apple might be ready to allow 3rd party apps to process their own payments, a move which if implemented could simplify spending of crypto across iPhone and iPad applications.
A Complete About Face by Apple
This is a complete about-face from Apple, which had a very public fallout with Coinbase over a similar matter. Back then Apple mandated that Coinbase must pay the exorbitant 30% fee for any NFT transaction on its app.
This was deemed impossible by those at Coinbase, who took to Twitter to explain how Apple had “blocked our last app release until we disabled the feature” because the iPhone maker demanded its 30% cut.
Coinbase drew support from former Apple employee Dan Finlay of MetaMask. He jumped into action to condemn ‘Apple’s abuse of monopoly, foreseeing a similar fate for his own crypto app before ending with a powerful call-to-arms: “I’ll absolutely stand in solidarity here.”
The move could be a major boost to the NFT community, as today’s iOS apps for Web3 marketplaces like OpenSea and Magic Eden don’t allow users to buy and sell, and instead can only browse NFTs.
The move could also benefit the Metaverse as Apple is said to be developing a Mixed Reality headset that’s set for launch next year. And with Web3 platforms looking to be interoperable, it really could open up the crypto gateways among each other and from Web2 to 3.
Conclusion
Apple’s exorbitant 30% tax has angered many developers over the years. And with public spats such as the Coinbase issue and Epic Games blocking Fortnite, it appears that Apple might be ready to open its walled garden.
After a terrible 2022 for most, it looks like 2023 may kickstart what is sure to be an amazing journey for us all, and with Apple, at its helm, it could be the start of mass adoption for the NFT and crypto community.
