I don't see how this helps products remain competitive if they all have to be "opened up" to a degree it almost strips the identity away from individual devices.
This sounds like punishing innovation, not encouraging it. Even putting the infrastructure in place to sideload, and even if the customer chooses not to, opens a gate for hackers and others to use. Alternate payment systems are already an option - just go to the app's webpage and pay there, then sign in to your app. I just think some of these steps are way over the line. I definitely understand the consumer demand for sideloading and am not against it in essence, but I think it would be better for consumers to pressure Apple until they cave instead of forcing their hand.
As it is, these laws just sound like they're stripping away the features that make an Apple product an Apple product. It's one thing if Apple is the only choice; they aren't. And its one thing if Apple was so massive you virtually have no choice but to use their products. It isn't, and you don't. Apple and the iPhone have not become so large they're like a public utility. Many people use no Apple products at all, ever. I still message with those people, I can call and text them, they have apps and products on their phone.... the world keeps moving.
I do agree companies shouldn't stifle the innovation and business of other companies, but I also do not think Apple and the iPhone have done that. This sounds like a case of others wanting to leech of their success. If I create a movie theatre that offers an immersive, lifelike experience where people can feel like they're in a dream, actually in the movie, and I want to keep it a family-friendly venture, I shouldn't be forced to allow x-rated content to play in the theatre because some porn company thinks I'm kneecapping them by not allowing their films to play. That's what this seems like, forcing Apple to share their success and products with others with no say by Apple.