Meta Platforms Inc. META CEO Mark Zuckerberg had as soon as criticized the proprietary AirPods protocol of Apple Inc. AAPL, advocating for it to be made accessible to rivals.
What Occurred: Zuckerberg, on the Joe Rogan Podcast episode 2255, expressed his issues over Apple’s unique AirPods protocol, which gives easy connectivity with iPhones, claiming it to be an unjust limitation on rivals.
Zuckerberg rejected Apple’s assertions of privateness and safety dangers, suggesting {that a} safer protocol might be developed as a substitute of utilizing these issues as an excuse to limit entry. He highlighted the challenges Meta encountered whereas integrating its Ray-Ban Meta Glasses with iPhones resulting from Apple’s refusal to share the protocol.
Zuckerberg criticized Apple of exploiting the protocol’s lack of encryption and plain textual content information transmission to take care of its exclusivity. “One of many protocols that they used they principally didn’t encrypt it,” revealed the Meta CEO.
When Apple responded they can not permit any third-party plug into it as it will be insecure, Zuckerberg remarked on the podcast, “It is insecure since you did not construct any safety into it.”
He referred to as on Apple to prioritize consumer comfort and innovation by permitting third-party gadgets to attach seamlessly, thereby selling a extra aggressive and consumer-friendly tech setting.
Why It Issues: This growth comes at a time when each Meta and Apple are intensifying their efforts within the sensible glasses market. A report in April indicated that Meta was planning to launch a $1,000 model of its sensible glasses to problem Apple’s AR ambitions. The glasses had been anticipated to function a built-in display screen and hand-gesture controls.
One other report in Might 2025 revealed that Apple was growing new chips to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses. This escalating competitors between the 2 tech giants underscores the significance of honest competitors in fostering innovation and higher merchandise for customers.
On a year-to-date foundation, shares of Meta climbed 6.05%, whereas these of Apple plunged 17.13%.
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Disclaimer: This content material was partially produced with the assistance of AI instruments and was reviewed and revealed by Benzinga editors.