Apple Pay's decade-long dominance on the iPhone has finally been challenged, as Vipps, a Norwegian mobile payment app, becomes the first third-party service to offer tap-to-pay functionality on iOS devices. This milestone marks a significant shift in Apple's historically closed ecosystem, made possible by the company's commitments to EU regulators.

The launch of Vipps in Norway is a direct result of Apple's decision to open up its NFC chip to third-party developers, a move prompted by EU regulators' ruling that Apple Pay's exclusivity was anti-competitive. With the release of iOS 18.1, Apple has made it possible for other payment apps to utilize the iPhone's tap-to-pay feature, paving the way for a more diverse and competitive mobile payments landscape.

Vipps, a mobile payment app operated by a Norwegian financial organization, is the first to take advantage of this new opportunity. iPhone users in Norway can now select Vipps as their default mobile payment app, enabling them to make tap-to-pay transactions and online payments seamlessly. This development is expected to have far-reaching implications for the mobile payments industry, as it sets a precedent for other third-party apps to follow suit.

The EU's regulatory pressure has been instrumental in forcing Apple to open up its famously locked-down iPhone in unprecedented ways. In recent months, the company has made significant concessions, including the addition of RCS support and the ability for users to delete most apps from their devices. The unlocking of the NFC chip, however, is a particularly noteworthy development, as it could lead to a proliferation of new and innovative uses for mobile devices.

While this shift towards a more open ecosystem is likely to be welcomed by users and developers alike, it also raises important questions about the potential consequences of increased competition in the mobile payments space. As more apps begin to utilize the iPhone's tap-to-pay feature, there is a risk of fragmentation and incompatibility between different platforms. Nevertheless, the launch of Vipps in Norway marks an important step towards a more diverse and dynamic mobile payments landscape.

As the mobile payments industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how Apple responds to this new competitive landscape. Will the company continue to open up its ecosystem, or will it seek to maintain its dominance through other means? One thing is certain: the launch of Vipps in Norway marks a significant turning point in the history of mobile payments, and its impact will be felt for years to come.