The Register has learned from those involved in the browser trade that Apple has limited the development and testing of third-party browser engines to devices physically located in the EU. That requirement adds an additional barrier to anyone planning to develop and support a browser with an alternative engine in the EU.
It effectively geofences the development team. Browser-makers whose dev teams are located in the US will only be able to work on simulators. While some testing can be done in a simulator, there’s no substitute for testing on device – which means developers will have to work within Apple’s prescribed geographical boundary.
… as Mozilla put it – to make it “as painful as possible for others to provide competitive alternatives to Safari.”
I’d say that’s a resounding “no”, but I must admit that basically nothing is worth dealing with Apple’s shenanigans in the first place if you ask me.
Especially when it’s likely that they’ll eventually play themselves out of the European market completely with their anti-consumer bullshit and the EU’s increasing courage in protecting consumers from such abuse as is integral to all things Apple.
That echoes my thoughts.