ACCESS DENIED: Building a Bluetooth solution reliant on iOS software & APIs

Between 2020 to 2021 so far we have seen a surge in AntiTrust cases against the Big Techs — Apple, Google, Microsoft, and the most seemingly notorious of all Facebook. The one I have been following closely is Tile’s antitrust filings in multiple countries against Apple Inc. While several suits were filed earlier, it has now intensified with Apple’s launch of AirTag in Q2, 2021 (their first new hardware product line after 3 years). Tile CEO appeared on Bloomberg Technology News with Emily Chang (of the HBO TV series Silicon Valley fame) to talk about their complaint. Tile makes a similar Bluetooth tracking product to AirTag.

There are hearings to follow, debates and discussions to be had on this topic wrt. the AntiTrust matter. As the Founder of a startup company operating in this space, I will present my and my team’s views in this article — primarily how small decisions made around the iOS software, can leave massive consequences (positive and negative) for Apple’s ecosystem partners.

Tech startups & apps— unlocking the full potential of the iPhone

While Apple gets a cut (ca. 30%) of the App Store revenues it does not get such a…