EU to drop Apple iPhone investigation

INVESTIGATION into  computer giant dropped after it eases restrictions on iPhones.

EUROPEAN Union competition regulators said yesterday they will drop an investigation into US computer giant Apple after the company eased restrictions on programming tools and cross-border warranties for the iPhone.

The European Commission said it would close its investigation after Apple changed its policies to make it easier for iPhone users to get repairs under warranty in an EU country other than where it was bought.

The EU's antitrust watchdog said Apple also lifted restrictions limiting independent developers' flexibility to create applications for the iPhone, which regulators feared would hurt competition.

"Apple's response to our preliminary investigations shows that the commission can use the competition rules to achieve swift results on the market with clear benefits for consumers," said EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia.