Due to its relatively closed ecological strategy, Apple has faced multiple allegations of anti-competitive behavior over the years. The latest news is that a group of developers has launched a project called “Open Web Advocacy” – to urge Apple to open up to third-party browser engines on its own mobile platform and allow developers to access the same browser as the iOS version of the Safari browser function.
It is reported that, unlike the macOS desktop operating system, Apple’s own iOS mobile operating system uses the WebKit engine to present global network content, which means that other Web browsers are only running with a layer of Safari vest.
Lawson explained that Open Web Advocacy hopes to convince Apple to allow other browser engines to run on iOS so that it becomes a more friendly platform for modern web content development.
Unfortunately, as of now, whether it is the iOS version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge, the underlying layers are still implemented based on Safari / WebKit.
The platform’s decline is becoming more pronounced due to the lack of competition. To make matters worse, third-party developers don’t even have access to some of Safari’s exclusive features, like full screen and Apple Pay integration.
Affected by this, web apps on iOS cannot run full screen, let alone allow third-party browsers to add web apps to the iOS home screen, and WebKit lacks Web NFC and other APIs.
The good news is that it was reported last week that the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is aware of the concerns and wants to persuade Apple to change its policy.
In addition, 9to5Mac pointed out that Safari has lagged behind the competition for some time, and users are eager to switch to other web browsers. But for Apple, it may be more worried that doing so will hurt its own App Store service revenue.