Tech giant Apple has announced the expansion of app-related changes to iPadOS in the European Union (EU), following its implementation on the iPhone earlier this year. The move comes as Apple responds to the EU's Digital Markets Act and aims to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

The second beta of iPadOS 18 introduces alternative app marketplaces and other app-related changes to the iPad in the EU. This development comes nearly two months after the European Commission recognized iPadOS as a gatekeeper platform subject to the new regulations.

Some of the key changes include the availability of alternative payment options in the App Store and a default web browser selection screen in Safari. Additionally, web browsers on the iPhone and iPad will now have the ability to use web engines other than Apple's own WebKit. Apple's existing terms, including the Core Technology Fee for alternative app marketplaces, will also extend to the iPad.

iPadOS 18 is currently in the beta testing phase for developers, with a public beta set to follow in July. The wider release of the update is expected in September.

However, in a statement to the Financial Times, Apple revealed that certain features, namely Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing, will not be available to European customers at the time of the launch. These features are part of Apple's new personalized AI experience that relies on generative large-language models. The delay is attributed to regulatory issues under the Digital Markets Act, and Apple is actively working to address these concerns.

Furthermore, Apple clarified that the new AI features will require the latest iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models to function properly. In addition, only Macs and iPads equipped with M1 or later chips will be compatible with these features.

Meanwhile, Apple's competitor Amazon is reportedly revamping its Alexa assistant. According to Reuters, the upcoming version of Alexa is expected to support conversational generative AI. Amazon is considering two tiers of service, including a premium tier priced at a minimum of $5 per month.

In other news, music streaming giant Spotify has announced the launch of a new Basic paid plan priced at $10.99 per month. This plan offers ad-free playback but removes access to monthly audiobook listening time. Spotify currently offers a standard Premium Individual plan for $11.99 per month, which includes ad-free playback and 15 hours of audiobook listening time.

As speculation surrounding Apple's future flagship device, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, continues to grow, rumors suggest that this model will bring significant changes. While Apple's plans for a high-end tier of the iPhone 17 series in 2025 have been widely discussed, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to shine with its bold upgrades. Five prominent changes rumored for this device include its premium features, design enhancements, and improved performance.

As Apple moves forward with its app-related changes to iPadOS in the EU, customers eagerly anticipate the wider release of iPadOS 18 and the introduction of new AI experiences. However, the delay in the availability of Apple Intelligence features underscores the complex landscape of regulatory compliance.