EU Could Force Apple to Put Flash on iPad, iPhone

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The EU could force Apple to play nice with Adobe's Flash. Not only that, but Europe could insist Apple's iTunes syncs with all devices, not just iPods and iPhones.

The European Union's Digital Agenda is an effort to foster openness and interoperability across the technology industry leading to improved user experience. The document, along with comments from EU commissioner Neelie Kroes, has led several news outlets to report that, while the EU's new legislation will have a huge effect a lot of companies, Apple in particular could be affected in a major way.

Daily Tech cites the Agenda as changing the necessary language from 'dominant' to just 'significant' with regard to what companies can be subject to scrutiny over abuse of their market position:

"Since not all pervasive technologies are based on standards the benefits of interoperability risk being lost in such areas. The Commission will examine the feasibility of measures that could lead significant market players to license interoperability information while at the same time promoting innovation and competition."

Daily Tech goes on to say that if the Digital Agenda is approved, it could give the EU the power to force Apple to allow Flash on its devices, as well as allow non-Apple devices to sync with iTunes.

Rethink Wireless quotes Kroes as saying it's not about going after companies like Microsoft, Intel or Apple, but offering consumers a choice:

"We need to make sure that significant market players cannot just choose to deny interoperability with their product. This is particularly important in cases where standards don't exist... This is not just about Microsoft or any big company like Apple, IBM or Intel. The main challenge is that consumers need choice when it comes to software or hardware products."

Read the full story on Daily Tech.

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86 Comments Comment from the forums
  • vant
    More BS.

    They were wrong when they forced MS to include other browsers, they are wrong here to force Apple to include flash.

    What the EU is doing is delaying technical progress.
    Reply
  • house70
    oh, sweet justice...
    Reply
  • mbmcavoy
    The Automotive and Oil companies are using their dominance to squeeze out the used-cooking-oil producers. Solution: Require all gasoline vehicles to also run on bio-diesel!
    Reply
  • thesupermedium
    Nanny government. If I were at the helm of Apple I would just leave Europe because it's obviously run by a bunch of day care sitters saying "now Apple... you can't have that good syncing system as an advantage... that's not fair"
    Reply
  • kerbe360
    I so disagree with the EU. What happened to making Flash stable enough to run on the iPad and iPhone? Where is Apple's right to decline subpar products on their products? If Adobe wants Flash on iPhones and iPads so bad.... make it better!
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    where is the browser ballot screen for osx?

    To add to this, who here thinks its not all about keeping app store games selling? that's why there is no flash.
    Reply
  • loneninja
    What's next, Intel and AMD require socket compatibility?
    Reply
  • reconspartan
    I don't buy Apple stuff but EU is wrong again
    Reply
  • willgart
    kerbe360I so disagree with the EU. What happened to making Flash stable enough to run on the iPad and iPhone? Where is Apple's right to decline subpar products on their products? If Adobe wants Flash on iPhones and iPads so bad.... make it better!
    If I follow you, we have to remove the iPhone 4 from the market because its a bugged device? we have to stop using all the software in the world because they are bugged?
    and where is the problem if flash crash under iOS and not under Windows? maybe Apple make something wrong and they are aware about this weakness which is demonstrated by Flash...
    So let the user selecting the product they want in their devices, who are Apple to choose what I need? are you god?
    Reply
  • matt87_50
    kerbe360I so disagree with the EU. What happened to making Flash stable enough to run on the iPad and iPhone? Where is Apple's right to decline subpar products on their products? If Adobe wants Flash on iPhones and iPads so bad.... make it better!
    *cough* iphone 4 antenna *cough*

    its not about flash being a sub par product. I'll say it slowly so people can understand, JUST BECAUSE STEVE SAYS IT, DOESN'T MAKE IT SO. on the other hand, lots of flash DEVELOPERS are sub par. but then ffs! just look at the quality of most the apps you have to pay for on the phone!! this excuse is BS.


    the EU's ideas might be heavy handed. but

    "Since not all pervasive technologies are based on standards the benefits of interoperability risk being lost in such areas. The Commission will examine the feasibility of measures that could lead significant market players to license interoperability information while at the same time promoting innovation and competition."

    is EXACTLY right! and why I get so enraged when Apple people brag about how into 'innovation' and 'standards' they are.
    besides it only sounds stupid because of the way it was said, it sounds like they will be forcing apple to go around and implement a flash player them selves, and make itunes compatible with every mp3 player on the market. thats a bit much... all they need to do is force Apple to ALLOW someone to make flash player for these things, force them to ALLOW mp3 player makers to make their stuff work with itunes. Apple doesn't have to do anything then, they just have to STOP being wankers!

    "force them to put flash on the iphone" no... but force them to ALLOW apps developed using the Adobe flash -> iphone app functionality, the clause put in there specifically to block this is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE! it would not only apply to flash, but also things like unity as well.

    "force them to make itunes sync with other devices" again, no, that makes it sound like it is Apple's responsibility to make it so every mp3 player is compatible. again it should be "force Apple to NOT go out of their way to BLOCK competitors from syncing with itunes" as was the case with Palm, where they went to such extreme lengths as to break the USB standard (oh yes, they are sooo into standards...)
    Reply