EU Commission assesses whether iPad offers sufficient interoperability with third-party headphones and ‘smart pens’

The EU Commission announced today that it is formally assessing whether iPadOS, the underlying software for Apple’s iPad tablets, complies with digital market law.

The DMA requires that iPadOS in European regions allow selection of a default web browser, allow alternative app stores, and support an ecosystem of accessories “such as headphones and smart pens.”

iPad was classified as a gatekeeper platform in April and became subject to DMA regulations. At the time, the European Commission said Apple had about six months to make the iPad compliant. Six months later, today we announced the official review of iPadOS.

Similar to iOS on the iPhone, iPadOS 18 allows customers in the European Union to access third-party app stores (app marketplaces, as Apple calls them) and set an alternative web browser as the default. Epic Games is currently leading the way in distributing alternative apps for iPhone and iPad thanks to the popularity of Fortnite and the Epic Games Store.

So it appears that iPadOS is already attempting to comply with the first two points of the EU.

However, we don’t really see any changes that would allow for interoperability with third-party “headphones and smart pens,” perhaps leading to more competitors for Apple’s AirPods and Apple Pencil stylus.

It’s unclear whether Apple software changes will be forthcoming to address this issue, or whether Apple intends to contest this issue in other ways. Perhaps the company already believes it has sufficient support for third-party Bluetooth accessories. Of course, non-Apple headphones and styluses also work with the iPad, but they’re not as polished or integrated as the first-party experience provided by AirPods or Apple Pencil.

We will have to wait for the EU ruling, which is expected to be announced within the next year. If Apple is found not to be in compliance, it could face enforcement actions, including significant fines.