TLDR:
Apple has warned that its latest flagship Apple Intelligence features will be delayed to 2025 for millions of users in Europe due to uncertainties stemming from new competition rules. The Digital Markets Act is causing disruptions for iPhone users, and three key features – iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple Intelligence – will not be rolled out to EU users this year.
Key Elements:
- Apple Intelligence features delayed to 2025 for millions of users in Europe
- Uncertainties from new competition rules causing delays
- Apple blames complexities in making the system compatible with EU rules
If you thought you’d heard the end of the upheaval the Digital Markets Act had caused for the iPhone, think again. Apple has warned that the latest flagship Apple Intelligence features coming this fall will not roll out in Europe. Since these features will come to all iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 devices, it will add up to millions of users. iOS 18 will bring Apple Intelligence—but not for all users at first. Apple is “blaming ‘uncertainties’ stemming from Brussels’ new competition rules,” a new report in the Financial Times says. While iPhone Mirroring, where you can interact with your iPhone from your Mac screen, and SharePlay Screen Sharing are cool in their own right, there’s no doubt that the lion’s share of AI goodies are part of Apple Intelligence.
Apple says that it is blaming “complexities in making the system compatible with EU rules that have forced it to make key parts of its iOS software and App Store services interoperable with third parties.” In a statement on Friday, June 22, “Due to the regulatory uncertainties brought about by the Digital Markets Act, we do not believe that we will be able to roll out three of these [new] features—iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple Intelligence—to our EU users this year.” The timing is interesting. Just weeks ago, it was reported that the EU regulators are about to accuse Apple of breaking rules introduced in the DMA. This latest step in the regulatory battle between the EU and Apple could mean iPhone users in Europe will lack one of the key iOS 18 upgrades for months or even years.
Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. David Phelan