The European Union is poised to adopt new antitrust rules for the biggest tech companies that could have widespread consequences for online advertising, app stores, and interoperability of messaging apps. Imagine being able to install a third-party app store on an iPhone, for example, or use Signal to send messages to your contacts who only use WhatsApp or iMessage.
While the rules would only cover the European Union, the would require the world’s largest tech companies to make significant changes that could eventually roll out to other regions… especially since Europe tends to be the global leader in regulating tech, with other countries (or individual states in the US) often following suit. For example, California’s CCPA privacy regulations were enacted several years after the EU approved the GDPR.
In other recent tech news, days after releasing the first alpha of Asahi Linux for Macs with M1 processors, developers have enabled support for the one Apple Silicon chip that hadn’t yet been supported: the new M1 Ultra. Analysts report that Apple is planning to launch a 15 inch thin and light Mac which may or may not be called the MacBook Air 15. Android 13 looks like it has some changes that could make it a good fit for Google Nest Hub-style smart displays that also work as detachable tablets. Vivo is showing off what its new tablet will look like. New Fitbit devices are likely on the way. And while some independent developers are keeping Google’s first-gen Pixel phones useful via custom ROMs, others are working on GNU/Linux distributions for mobile phones, like Nemo Mobile, which is a community-driven continuation of projects like MeeGo, Maemo, and Moblin.
Here’s a roundup of tech news from around the web:
The EU’s Digital Markets Act would establish new antitrust rules affecting the world’s biggest tech companies. Could pave the way for third-party app stores on iOS, cross-platform messaging interoperability, and opt-in targeted advertising. https://t.co/B192wfdMra
— Liliputing (@liliputingnews) March 25, 2022
A deal was reached on the Digital Markets Act, ushering in a new era of tech regulation worldwide.
The new rules will limit the market power of big online platforms by blacklisting certain practices ↓
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) March 25, 2022
The Asahi Linux distro that supports Macs with Apple M1 chips recently launched an Alpha for all Macs except the Mac Studio. But now developers have enabled support for the Mac Studio’s M1 Ultra chip with 20 CPU cores. https://t.co/VUKIxSCxYt
— Liliputing (@liliputingnews) March 25, 2022
Apple could launch a 15 inch thin and light MacBook with a MacBok Air-like 30W power supply in late 2023 or early 2024. https://t.co/jBcFogVokh
— Liliputing (@liliputingnews) March 25, 2022
Changes in Android 13 suggest that Google is optimizing its mobile OS for tablets that can connect to docking stations for use as smart displays. Screen savers get clock, weather, and other overlays. Media tap to transfer is also baked in. And more… https://t.co/5F5yHW6OgH
— Liliputing (@liliputingnews) March 25, 2022
According to code found in the latest Fitbit Android app, it looks like the Google-owned company has new smartwatches and activity trackers on the way. https://t.co/a9YFfJYJ5w
— Liliputing (@liliputingnews) March 25, 2022
The upcoming Vivo Pad tablet has a metal chassis, pen and keyboard support, dual cameras, and a USB-C port. Detailed specs, pricing, and availability haven’t been reealed yet. https://t.co/dRIICZSIb8
— Liliputing (@liliputingnews) March 25, 2022
Google no longer supports its first-gen Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, but thanks to a new build of LineageOS 18.1, you can now run Android 11 on the phones unofficially by installing a custom ROM. https://t.co/3qHGHv6kYb
— Liliputing (@liliputingnews) March 25, 2022
Development of @NemoMobile continues also in March. Updated gps support, contacts, calendar, settings.https://t.co/MuuoLgcH93 @neochapay is working on new images for @thepine64 PinePhone, PinePhonePro and PineTab. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/PoTea7CqMO
— Jozef Mlich (@xmlich02) March 25, 2022
phosh 0.17.0 is out 🚀📱:
* Add mobile data (or rather lack thereof) indicator
* Implement portal access API
* Sync up with GNOME 42 changesCheck out the full release notes https://t.co/mcj9j7N7Ai for details.#phosh #librem5 @Puri_sm #gnome #linux #mobile pic.twitter.com/ojP9LaCJ3P
— Guido Günther (@GuidoGuenther) March 25, 2022
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Anyone praising this needs to be reminded of ChatControl. The EU wants all messaging service providers to scan all messages for illegal content, including messages that you wanted to be encrypted but can’t possible be under this rule.
The US is of course trying the same thing with the EARN IT act, although that law merely creates an executive committee that answers to no one to decide how best to make that happen, which no one really believes won’t involve mandatory backdoors.