Following a recent decision by the European Commission to extend its Digital Markets Act (DMA), which comes into force in November 2024, to include Apple’s iPad and iPad OS, Apple was required to comply with the regulations set out in the DMA over the next six months. However, According to MacRumorsApple has confirmed that it will introduce the same changes it made to iOS with iOS 17.4 to iPadOS later this year.

These changes include the ability to download apps from websites, install and use third-party app markets, and also include instructions to set default apps for key services such as web browsing (something Microsoft has had to do in the past). Apple has included safeguards in every app available on the platforms, requiring a basic security and privacy review before running on the operating system to ensure it still has some element of control over what can and cannot run on its hardware.

Considering the implementation method for iPhones is limited to those within the EU (and the feature is disabled after a set period of time outside the region), it is expected that the implementation on iPadOS will be consistent as there are many similarities between the two platforms that shared the same iOS branding until iPadOS 13.1 in 2019.

With WWDC 2024 coming up soon between June 10 and 14, 2024, it is expected that the next version of both iOS and iPadOS will be announced with first betas coming soon after. These will be iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 respectively, with the newest versions rumored to run generative AI features among other updates across the board. Additionally, there are new iPad models expected to be announced at the iPad “Let Loose” event on May 7, 2024, which are rumored to feature OLED panels and an AI-capable M4 chip.

source: MacRumors