Apple Approves 3rd-Party Browsers for iPhone

CUPERTINO, Calif. — As of this week, anyone can make a web browser for Apple's iPhone.

To date, the tech giant had kept a tight fist squeezed around developers' throats, rejecting any new applications for its signature device that offered "duplicate functionality" — widely regarded as a code for "competition."

With a ban against "duplicate functionality" in place, Apple was free to reject any applications that competed with the proprietary programs that come bundled with the iPhone, most notably the company's Safari web browser.

But over the last 24 hours, Apple has suddenly approved four new web browsers for its iPhone App Store: Edge Browser, Incognito, Webmate and Shaking Web. The browsers range in price from free to $1.99.

Apple has made no formal announcement about a change in policy.

The move opens up the iPhone to competition from some of the biggest names online, including Mozilla and Opera. The Opera web browser in particular presents a unique opponent for Apple because of its popularity on mobile devices. Opera offers popular versions of its web browser for devices that run on the Windows Mobile and Symbian operating systems.

Tech writer Erica Sadun said that another roadblock probably would have prevented Opera from reaching iPhones: its versatility.

"[E]ven though Opera representatives state that this rejection was due to duplicated functionality, Opera would have had a tough time getting through a different gate: Apple will not allow programs to interpret code," she wrote for ArsTechnica.com. "Opera, being a full-featured browser, interprets JavaScript downloaded from the Internet, an absolute … no-no [for iPhone applications]."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More