The EU has ended its consultancy period as it seeks to ensure that Apple's products work alongside those of rival brands. Back in September the European Commission opened proceedings against the tech giant, to lay out measures it should take to ensure its operating systems and devices are sufficiently compatible with other brands. 

Christophe Wasnaire, a technician at a repair shop in Brussels, says device compatibility can be a headache for consumers. "It would be better if we could connect everything together and if there was no issue," he said. "For instance, if you have a Samsung watch it would be great if you could answer a call on an iPhone."

Some tech experts say non-compatibility is an effort by tech firms to trap consumers. 

"The European Union is basically trying to make sure that Apple isn't engaged in practices that make it more expensive for people to consume Apple goods and services," said Max Wolff, CEO & Co-Founder of Systematic Ventures, "and make it either difficult or possibly impossible for other companies to break into the market of serving Apple users."

The EU presented preliminary findings to the U.S. tech giant back in December and, under its Digital Markets Act, has subsequently been seeking technical expertise from developers about how cross-device connection could be achieved. 

"The Commission has, let's say, various tools to help enforce the regulation," European Commission's Competition spokesperson Lea Zuber told CGTN. "One of those is opening a noncompliance investigation. And the purpose of this investigation is to really analyze whether the measures that Apple or other gatekeepers put in place are sufficient." 

Apple has raised privacy protection concerns warning that its systems could be made vulnerable to data-hungry companies and rivals. In response, the European Commission says robust frameworks are in place to protect sensitive data.

Some analysts say recent changes to iPhone charging compatibility, largely the result of EU laws, is evidence that a resolution can be found. 

"I think you've already seen with the newer models that they're complying with the USB-C and a whole bunch of different things," Wolff said. "So I think you have a bunch of guys negotiating this by standing on soap boxes screaming about privacy in the free market but in the end, they're just working a deal."

Apple is no stranger to EU regulators. Last year it was ordered to pay nearly $2 billion having been accused of violating EU antitrust rules to keep out rivals.

Current relations may be tense - but with Apple's estimated 30 percent of the European smartphone market, both sides have incentives to be more in sync. 

The Commission is expected to present firm conclusions to Apple in March.