HP Survey Shows Gen Z Workers Less Tech Savvy
Plus Apple may be ready to open up to sideloading and alternative app stores.
I’ve got some thoughts on an interesting new study from HP about Gen Z tech savviness. But first the Apple news.
Apple Opens the IOS Kimono
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman's sources say Apple engineers are working on changes to iOS to support alternative app stores and side loading in iOS 17. The work is supposedly being done in advance of the EU's Digital Markets Act, aka DMA, which applies to tech companies with at least 45 million monthly users and a market valuation of at least €75 billion. Among other things, the act requires these companies to let users install third-party apps on their operating systems by March 6, 2024. The DMA also requires messaging apps with large user bases to interoperate. Since the DMA only applies to Europe, Apple may only implement these changes for European customers, unless other countries also implement regulations.
Nothing has been announced by Apple, but Gurman's sources say Apple is considering mandating security requirements for third-party apps to run on iOS and possibly requiring verification by Apple, which would carry a fee. Apple also may open its APIs as well as access to cameras, NFC, and locating devices. Third-party browser-makers may also be allowed to use engines other than Webkit.
The company has apparently not decided how it intends to comply with the DMA's requirement to allow third party payment systems in apps. Right now, Apple lets some media apps to include a link to the web for payment, and allows third party payment options in South Korea, and for dating apps the Netherlands. In those last two cases Apple still takes a slightly smaller cut of payments, and requires the apps to show warning popups. Apple also hasn't made a decision on how to let iMessage interoperate with other messaging platforms like WhatsApp. But Gurman's sources say it is not considering implementing RCS, the carrier's standard for multimedia messaging that is supported by Google.
Gen Z Feel Judged About Tech Chops
Digiday's Worklife.news highlighted a report from HP called "Hybrid Work: Are We There Yet?" Worklife noted a couple findings in the report that indicate that younger workers appear not to be as tech savvy, or at least not as savvy about all things tech, in the way older workers may assume.
HP surveyed 10,000 office workers in 10 markets around the world. 20% of those 18-29 said they felt judged when experiencing technical issues, compared to 4% of those older than 40. Also 25% of the 18-29-year-olds said they would avoid participating in a meeting if they felt like their use of tech would disrupt it-- like not working properly. Compare that to 6% of those older than 40. HP grouped the findings under the heading "Tech Shame."
The conclusion you can draw from this, is that the tech skills people get from growing up with technology are not the same ones needed in the workplace. Making a TikTok doesn't always help you get better at making a PowerPoint, apparently. Plus older folks can afford better equipment and internet connections in work-from-home situations, which may have an effect as well.
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