Google working on Blink-based iOS browser, breaking Apple's rules
- Google is reportedly experimenting with a new Blink-based iOS browser.
- This breaks Apple's WebKit requirement for iOS browsers.
- It is unclear whether the browser is an experiment or could be eventually released to the public.
Google's Chromium developers are working on an experimental browser for iOS using the Blink engine, which would break Apple's browser engine restrictions, reports The Register. The experimental browser would not be allowed on the iOS App Store if it were turned into a release-ready browser as Apple's App Store Review Guidelines state that apps that browse the web must use the WebKit framework and Javascript.
Over the past two years, there have been legal and regulatory challenges to Apple's platform autarchy. The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration has just issued a report calling for changes to the mobile app ecosystem to promote competition, echoing concerns raised by other regulators. The European Digital Markets Act, which comes into effect next year, is expected to force Apple to allow third-party app stores and alter its WebKit requirement.
Image credit: Google LLC
Google says the content_shell iOS port is "experimental only, not a launch bug for a shippable product." However, a source familiar with browser development said that content_shell is the start of an alternate browser build, but without sandboxing, JIT support in V8, and a minimal graphics stack.
Apple's minimalist approach to compliance might result in different requirements for different geographies, forcing browser makers to maintain multiple builds. Despite these challenges, the Chromium team's iOS Blink project has raised hopes for freedom from Apple's oversight among Open Web Advocacy, a group of developers who have lobbied for changes to Apple's policies.
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