Search

The article discusses concerns raised by digital-safety advocates regarding inappropriate content in apps available on Apple's App Store, particularly those targeted at children. Research revealed that many apps with objectionable content were rated as safe for children, highlighting the need for better age rating processes. Advocates recommend implementing an independent expert review for age ratings to enhance parental confidence in app safety. Lawmakers have introduced bills to hold app stores accountable for verifying users' ages to prevent access to age-inappropriate content. [Extracted from the article]

Apple's Vision Pro headset is struggling to attract major software developers to create apps for the device, which is hindering its progress in the market. The number of new apps released for the Vision Pro has slowed since its launch, and some successful virtual-reality software developers have chosen not to build apps for the headset. Without enough compelling apps, users are finding the device less useful and are opting to sell it. Apple may need to fund app makers to incentivize them to develop apps for the Vision Pro. [Extracted from the article]

The article highlights technology company Apple's resistance to a proposed child safety bill in Louisiana that aimed to require the tech company to enforce age restrictions on apps. Topics discussed include the broader legislative efforts to regulate teen smartphone use, Apple's arguments against device-level age verification, and the lobbying efforts by both Apple and its competitors in response to the proposed regulations.

The article reports that technology companies Apple and Nvidia are in negotiations to invest in OpenAI, a move that would bolster their stakes in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Topics discussed include the potential investment amount, the role of Microsoft and Thrive Capital in the new funding round, and the strategic importance of OpenAI's technology for Apple and Nvidia's AI initiatives.

The article focuses on the loosening of Apple's control over its App Store, particularly in Europe. Topics include Epic Games launching an alternative app store, Spotify redirecting users to its website for subscriptions, and the broader implications of European regulatory changes on Apple's ecosystem.

China has ordered Apple to remove popular messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, from its app store in the country. Apple stated that it was told to remove certain apps due to national security concerns, without specifying which ones. Beijing has expressed caution towards these platforms, fearing that they could be used to spread negative content and cause social unrest. This move further tightens internet controls in China and limits the number of foreign chat apps available to Chinese internet users. [Extracted from the article]

Phil Schiller, Apple's former chief marketing officer and a close associate of Steve Jobs, has become a vocal defender of the company's ecosystem amid increasing criticism from software developers and regulators. Apple's vision of a seamless and secure electronic device ecosystem has come under attack for its fees and control over external software. Schiller has been the public face of Apple's defense, stating that the company's goal is to make the App Store the safest and best place for users to get apps. Despite retiring from his role in 2020, Schiller continues to advocate for Apple's approach. [Extracted from the article]

Five tech companies, including Meta, Microsoft, X, Spotify, and Match Group, have filed legal petitions protesting Apple's new app store policies. These companies object to Apple's plan to charge a commission for payments made outside the app store, which goes against a federal court ruling that ordered Apple to allow alternative payment methods. Apple's rivals and other technology players are continuing to fight against the company's tight controls over third-party software. Apple charges up to a 30% commission for purchases in the app store, a rate that developers argue is too high. Apple has defended its right to charge these fees, citing investments in privacy and security measures. [Extracted from the article]

Apple has reversed its decision to ban Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, from building its own app store in Europe. This change in stance comes after Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Apple's response to new EU regulations. Apple's reversal is seen as a victory for developers' freedom of speech and compliance with Europe's Digital Markets Act. The back-and-forth between Apple and Epic Games is part of a larger debate over Apple's control over third-party software on its devices, and European regulators are evaluating Apple's response to the new law. Apple is also facing criticism and legal challenges related to its App Store practices, including an expected antitrust lawsuit from the US Justice Department. [Extracted from the article]

Apple's new Vision Pro virtual-reality headset, priced at $3,499, is set to arrive in the hands of consumers. While the initial availability of the headset quickly sold out, projections estimate that Apple has sold between 160,000 to 180,000 units, a far cry from the one million preorders of the Apple Watch in 2015. The challenge for Apple will be generating mainstream interest in a device that is primarily associated with niche gaming circles. Apple is positioning the Vision Pro as a spatial computing device, avoiding terms like virtual reality or metaverse. The success of the headset will depend on attracting third-party app developers, and while some major companies have announced their intentions to develop apps for the platform, Apple's relationship with developers has been strained in recent years. Additionally, the Vision Pro's lack of physical controllers may hinder the smooth porting of existing games to the platform. [Extracted from the article]

Apple is planning to introduce new fees and restrictions for downloading apps outside of its closed ecosystem in response to a new European law. This move will allow users to download software onto their iPhones without using the App Store. Other companies like Meta and Spotify are also preparing new download options for customers in anticipation of the new rules. Critics argue that Apple's control over third-party software is anticompetitive, while Apple maintains that it is necessary for security purposes. The new European law aims to address Apple's strict control over app downloads, and Apple has been working on its solution for over a year to comply with the law. [Extracted from the article]

Apple's new App Store payment policies have sparked outrage among software developers. The policies require developers to pay a 27% commission if they use an alternative payment method, which critics argue will cost developers and consumers more money. Apple's changes come in response to a legal dispute with Epic, the developer of the popular game "Fortnite," and the company believes the changes comply with the court's ruling. However, developers and legal experts are concerned about the implications of Apple's actions and the potential impact on competition and user choice. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal related to Apple's App Store, prompting the company to issue new policies that have been criticized by third-party software makers. The decision theoretically allows apps to promote alternative payment options outside of Apple's App Store, potentially at a lower price. However, Apple will still collect a commission, albeit at a reduced rate. The Supreme Court's decision could impact Apple's App Store business, but the extent of the impact will depend on how Apple complies with the decision and how developers respond. [Extracted from the article]

A recent court ruling against Google has raised concerns about the future of the app-store economy, which has been a major source of profit for both Apple and Google. The ruling stated that Google had operated an illegal app-store monopoly, and while Google plans to appeal, this decision adds to a series of challenges faced by the tech giants. Regulators in Europe, Asia, and the US have been passing laws that challenge the companies' control over third-party software on smartphones. Despite these challenges, analysts are divided on the potential financial impact on Apple and Google, as the changes are expected to take years to fully play out. [Extracted from the article]

Computers/Consumer Electronics, Software, Applications Software, Computing, Online Service Providers, kwexclusive, Media/Entertainment, Technology, Financial Performance, Social Media Platforms/Tools Keywords: kwexclusive; Computers/Consumer Electronics; Software; Applications Software; Computing; Online Service Providers; Media/Entertainment; Social Media Platforms/Tools; Technology; Financial Performance EN kwexclusive Computers/Consumer Electronics Software Applications Software Computing Online Service Providers Media/Entertainment Social Media Platforms/Tools Technology Financial Performance N.PAG N.PAG 1 01/17/22 20220111 NES 220111 Around 100 people on the team developing Microsoft's HoloLens augmented-reality headsets have left, mostly to Facebook parent Meta Around 100 people on the team developing Microsoft's HoloLens augmented-reality headsets have left, mostly to Facebook parent Meta. [Extracted from the article]