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EU Opens New Horizons For App Innovation Under Digital Markets Act

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The European Union’s Digital Markets Act is reshaping the app distribution landscape. The new regulation allows alternative app stores on Apple devices, fostering competition and empowering developers to explore innovative distribution channels outside the traditional App Store model.

Digital Markets Act Revolutionizes App Distribution

Under the DMA, developers in the EU can distribute apps through third-party marketplaces that comply with Apple’s notarization requirements, which focus on baseline platform security such as malware protection. These marketplaces operate independently from Apple’s centralized App Review system and manage their own policies, customer support, and refund processes.

New Financial And Operational Terms

Developers using alternative marketplaces must accept Apple’s DMA business terms, including a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 per first annual install. The fee applies regardless of whether an app reaches one million installs. Despite these additional costs, some developers have already adopted alternative distribution channels.

Global Ripple Effects In App Markets

Regulatory changes in the EU are influencing other markets. In Japan, Apple’s compliance with the Mobile Software Competition Act has similarly expanded options for app distribution and external payment processing under revised commission structures and fees.

Spotlight On Leading Alternative App Stores

AltStore Pal (EU)

Co-created by Riley Testut, developer of the famed Nintendo game emulator app Delta, AltStore Pal is an officially sanctioned alternative marketplace in the EU. As an open source platform, it allows independent developers to self-host their apps. Applications are distributed by creating alternative distribution packets that users add manually, ensuring that the marketplace remains curated and secure.

Setapp Mobile (EU – Closed Feb. 2026)

MacPaw launched Setapp Mobile as one of the first alternative app stores under Apple’s DMA framework. The service closed in February 2026 after business conditions changed, but it introduced a subscription-based model focused on ad-free apps.

Epic Games Store (EU)

Epic Games, the force behind Fortnite, expanded its distribution strategy by launching an alternative iOS app store in the EU as early as August 2024. The move marked a significant pivot in a long-standing dispute with Apple, capitalizing on regulatory changes to reclaim market presence and offer gamers and developers a fresh alternative.

Aptoide (EU)

Renowned for its alternative approach on Android, Lisbon-based Aptoide has extended its open source app distribution model to iOS in the EU. The platform scans apps for safety compliance and operates on a commission-based revenue model for in-app purchases, reinforcing its position as a secure and innovative marketplace.

Mobivention Marketplace (EU)

Designed for business use, the Mobivention marketplace caters to companies looking to distribute internal apps securely. The platform offers customizable solutions that enable firms to create private app ecosystems, ensuring that proprietary applications remain outside the public App Store while maintaining high security standards.

Skich (EU)

Skich introduces a novel approach to app discovery with its Tinder-like interface that lets users swipe to find apps that match their interests. This interactive experience, paired with social features such as playlist creation and friend activity tracking, positions Skich as a disruptive force in the mobile app marketplace—a strategy actively promoted at events like the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

Onside (EU And Japan)

Operating in both the EU and Japan, Onside offers a competitive alternative by charging lower fees while ensuring robust security measures, including protection of payment details. Currently supporting bank card payments and Apple Pay, Onside plans to expand its payment methods further, appealing to developers and users seeking a transparent and user-friendly app store experience.

Conclusion

The emergence of alternative app stores under the DMA is expanding distribution models and increasing competition in the app marketplace. Developers now have additional options for reaching users outside Apple’s traditional ecosystem.

Greek Tankers Transit Hormuz As Shipping Risks Rise In Gulf And Black Sea

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Two tankers linked to George Prokopiou passed through the Strait of Hormuz as regional tensions continue to affect shipping routes in the Gulf.

Safe Passage Through Hormuz

The tanker Smyrni, operated by Dynacom Tankers Management, was observed off the coast of Mumbai on Saturday morning after its earlier positioning in the Persian Gulf. The vessel, like its predecessor Shenlong, temporarily disabled its transponder during transit, a common practice in these narrow channels under uncertain conditions.

Robust Market Commitments

Despite reduced shipping traffic through the strait, Dynacom has continued expanding its fleet. The company recently ordered four additional VLCC tankers from Hengli Heavy Industry. Each vessel will have a capacity of 300,000 deadweight tonnes. With the new order, Dynacom’s VLCC program in Chinese shipyards now totals 16 vessels.

Security Incident In The Black Sea

In a separate incident, the Greek-flagged tanker Maran Homer sustained minor damage near Novorossiysk in the Black Sea. The vessel is operated by Maran Tankers Management, part of the shipping group controlled by Maria Angelicoussis.

Reports indicated the ship was struck by a missile or drone about 14 nautical miles from the port. The crew of 24, including Greek, Filipino and Romanian sailors, was not injured. The vessel, which was not carrying cargo, continued sailing under its own power.

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