Soon, iPhone users may gain the option to install alternative app stores. At first, this change is slated to apply to residents of the European Union. A report notes that under the Digital Markets Act, Apple will have to permit these third party stores to run on iOS devices until a specified deadline, with March 7, 2024 cited as a reference point.
The same publication suggests that developers from the Russian marketplace sector see real potential in this move and hope that users in Russia could also benefit from such innovation as it expands choices for app discovery and installation.
In response, ANO General Manager of Digital Platforms Arseny Shcheltsin indicated plans to launch a native iOS app store named NashStore, aiming to complement Apple’s official offering and broaden regional access for users and developers alike.
At present, the functionality enabling alternative stores on Apple devices has only received formal approval within the European Union. Nevertheless, Shcheltsin acknowledged that regional restrictions might be navigable if alternative stores are not readily available in Russia, opening doors for a longer tail of apps and services to reach users there.
Industry experts warn that choosing a region during iOS setup can affect app availability for certain countries. For example, accessing an app store tied to a specific country in the Russian Federation could require selecting a European region, which may lead to feature limitations in some apps such as music streaming or video services.
Earlier this year, Apple clarified how its Vision Pro iris scanning works. The Optical ID system recognizes the iris pattern to unlock the device, authorize payments, sign into multiple apps, and access sensitive data. Apps that already support Face ID and Touch ID on iPhone and iPad can automatically gain Optical ID support on Vision Pro, streamlining authentication across devices.
Meanwhile, public commentary from political leaders has urged balanced optimism, urging careful consideration of practical implications rather than sweeping conclusions about the new stores or hardware features.