The European Union said Thursday it will outline steps to compel Apple to open up its iPhone and iPad operating systems to competing technologies under the bloc's tough new digital rulebook, which threatens hefty fines for breaches. The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, said it has opened two specification proceedings that will spell out what Apple needs to do under the 27-nation bloc's Digital Markets Act. The DMA is designed to prevent Big Tech gatekeepers from dominating digital markets, including by breaking up closed tech ecosystems. It requires tech companies to make their systems operate with rivals, allowing consumers to switch more easily between platforms. One proceeding will focus on how connected devices like smartwatches and headphones will have effective interoperability with Apple's operating system. The other will look at how Apple deals with interoperability requests from software developers for iOS and IPadOS, which should be done in a "transparent, . Read The Rest at :