The EU wants to unshackle users from their Apple Watch prison

When it comes to getting the best smartwatch experience on an iPhone, it’s Apple Watch or bust! Millions of iPhone users use Apple Watches, and they’re fine with it. However, the EU could force Apple to make third-party smartwatches work better on iPhones.

While Apple Watches are some of the best smartwatches you can buy, there’s a whole exciting world of other smartwatches just waiting to grace your wrist. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution with smartwatches. There are people who would like to have a more traditional circular design, a more minimalist operating system, or a more affordable smartwatch.

Sadly, if you want the full smartwatch experience on an iPhone, then you are stuck with an Apple Watch. Third-party watches can work on iPhones, but they don’t have access to all of the features that an Apple Watch has, which is pretty frustrating.

However, the EU could force Apple to make third-party smartwatches work better with iPhones

It should come as no surprise that the EU is pursuing this action. It’s on a mission to dismantle the prison that Apple users are trapped in. Under its DMA (Digital Markets Act), the EU brought forth two decisions on Tuesday.

Firstly, third-party OEMs and developers will gain more access to Apple’s features so that non-Apple smartwatches can function more seamlessly on iPhones. This way, the people using these smartwatches won’t have such a hindered experience compared to what you have on an Apple Watch.

The next one will make Apple more transparent with developers in regard to interoperability. This will include providing third-party developers with documentation clearly outlining which features are not available to them. Also, Apple will need to communicate about these features more clearly and provide a more predictable timeline for interoperability request reviews.

If Apple complies with these, then we should see more interoperability between iPhones and third-party smartwatches, which will be a good thing. “With these decision[s], we are simply implementing the law, and providing regulatory certainty both to Apple and to developers,” says Europe’s executive vice president for clean, just, and competitive transition Teresa Ribera, “This will lead to a better choice for consumers in the fast-growing market for innovative connected devices.”

It’s not that easy

While that’s true, there’s still the chance that Apple will try to appeal these decisions. Knowing Apple, it WILL try to appeal. We know that the company wants to keep people trapped in its ecosystem, and this means clipping the wings of any third-party smartwatch. It’s rather unfortunate, as there are so many different types of devices out there on the market. Why should the phone you have limit your options?

Maybe a person likes iOS, but they’re not a fan of Watch OS. They should have the right to choose what sort of smartwatch experience they can have.

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