Opera revealed today that it will launch a new AI-powered browser built on its own engine for iOS in Europe.
The changes will allow developers to offer browsers that are not based on the WebKit browser engine.
Opera says the changes will allow it to provide iPhone users with an AI-powered alternative to Safari.
Last year, Opera introduced its “Aria” browser AI and redesigned its flagship desktop browser and called it Opera One, which will also be the name of the new iOS browser.
At the time, Opera said the new browser has elements that will make it ready for a “generative AI-based future.”
In an effort to retain developers, Apple has begun its pilot tests of “contingent pricing,” a new way for them to market App Store subscriptions, TechCrunch has learned.
That’s the case with the debut pilot test of contingent pricing that pairs up two apps: Structured and one sec.
(An interesting choice for the pilot, given Apple and Meta’s ongoing beef over App Tracking Transparency, which Meta said harmed its business!)
With contingent pricing, customers who subscribe to one of the apps can receive a discount if subscribing to the other.
Apple says it helps the developers with the implementation of contingent pricing to make the redemption process “seamless” for customers purchasing through its App Store.
The new rules prevent “anti-steering” practices, whereby the platform owner — in this case Apple — prevents app developers from informing their users about alternative payment or subscription options.
And the DMA also has provisions for preventing gatekeepers from requiring developers to use their own payment services.
“For years, even in our own app, Apple had these rules where we couldn’t tell you about offers, how much something costs, or even where or how to buy it.
The DMA means that we’ll finally be able to share details about deals, promotions, and better-value payment options in the EU,” Spotify said in a blog post.
One where you can see all subscription pricing, promotions or deals, and even make purchases, all seamlessly within the app.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) applies to just six (mostly US) tech giants, including Meta.
The incoming choices will also enable regional users of Facebook Messenger to stop Meta combining their data with their use of its social network.
This is the only alternative Meta currently offers EU users who don’t want it to process their information to run tracking ads.
And it remains to be seen whether EU data protection regulators will accept it.
An ex ante reform of digital competition law in Germany already led to Meta making some concessions over cross-site tracking last June.
