Apple recently made an announcement that it will allow iPhone users to sideload third-party app stores and choose their preferred default web browser, to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). After this announcement, now Opera has announced the upcoming launch of an AI-powered web browser named Opera One for iPhones. According to the statement by the company, Opera One will be an AI-centric web browser, and it will fully leverage Apple’s latest regulation to allow users to switch from Safari to a web browser of their choice as the default.
Notably, the Opera One web browser is already accessible on Windows. As per reports, Opera is likely to deliver a similar experience on iPhones in the coming days after it’s launch.
NEW BROWSER FOR iOS INCOMING!
Our new AI-centric Opera One browser will be built on its own engine, celebrating the opening of iOS to alternative browser engines. pic.twitter.com/GQdohWmp5W
— Opera (@opera) January 26, 2024
This latest development allows app-makers to create web browsers without using WebKit. They can now incorporate their custom technology which would ultimately provide more freedom for developers. However, it is important to note that due to regulatory requirements, the upcoming AI-powered Opera One web browser will be exclusively operational in the European Union only and it will be available for download on iPhones running iOS 17.4 or newer versions starting March 2024.
Shift In Apple’s Ecosystem
This development brought by EU DMA signals a huge shift in the ecosystem of Apple, particularly in the EU, where brands like Epic Games have confirmed plans to launch their own App Store for iPhones. What further concerns Apple is the fact that due to this, these third-party stores can now also offer their own payment process rather than Apple Pay.
This in a way will empower the iPhone users to download and experience apps, however, initially, the developers will need to obtain authorisation from Apple for their apps/services, especially for web browsers intending to use a non-WebKit engine. This requirement will most probably be applicable to Opera One as well.