The United States has imposed new trade tariffs on Chinese goods. These tariffs increase costs for businesses and consumers in the US. Higher prices could lead to reduced sales in the US market. In response, China has announced possible retaliatory measures escalating the ongoing trade war between the US and China.

China’s potential investigation into Apple

China’s market regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), is reportedly preparing an investigation into Apple’s App Store policies. The focus of the probe includes Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases and restrictions on third-party payment services and app stores. This follows a previous investigation in 2024, which found Apple’s commission fees to be fair. However, discussions between Chinese regulators, Apple, and developers have continued since then.

How did the market react to this news?

News of the potential investigation led to a 3% drop in Apple’s share price. Investors fear that increased scrutiny in China could impact Apple’s business in one of its largest markets. Apple has not responded to reports of the probe, and Chinese authorities have not officially confirmed the investigation.

China’s actions against other US companies

China is also investigating Google under anti-monopoly laws. Although no specific details were provided, reports suggest the probe could be related to Google’s Android operating system. Additionally, PVH Corp., the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, has been placed on China’s “unreliable entity” list. US biotech firm Illumina has also been added to this list.

What is the impact of US Tariffs on Apple?

Apple has previously sought exemptions from US tariffs, with mixed success. The latest round of tariffs does not exempt Apple, which could increase production costs and affect prices for US consumers.

The tensions between the US and China continue to create uncertainty for businesses and the global economy. If China proceeds with the Apple investigation, it could escalate the ongoing trade conflict and impact the global tech industry.

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In a significant move for the Indian smartphone market, Xiaomi has announced that it will phase out its GetApps store and replace it with the Indus Appstore, powered by PhonePe. The transition is set to take effect from January 2025, impacting all Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco devices sold in India.

Xiaomi’s GetApps to Be Discontinued in India

GetApps, often criticized for its aggressive advertising and system bloat, has been a point of contention among Xiaomi users. The shift to the Indus Appstore is seen as a strategic move by Xiaomi to enhance user experience and comply with evolving regulatory norms.

The Indus Appstore, launched earlier this year, is an Android-based app marketplace that aims to offer a more localized and user-friendly experience for Indian consumers. It will provide access to a wide range of apps and games, including popular titles and regional offerings. Currently, it has more than over 200,000 apps and games across 45 categories.

It supports 12 Indian languages as well. PhonePe’s integration with the app store will enable seamless payments and other digital services. The transition will be seamless for users as it will occur through system updates. GetApps will no longer be preloaded or supported on any Xiaomi devices in India, whether new or existing.

While the transition to the Indus Appstore is expected to bring several benefits, including a cleaner user interface and potentially fewer ads, some users may have concerns about the potential for data privacy issues and the overall performance of the new app store. It remains to be seen how well the Indus Appstore will perform in comparison to the Google Play Store, which is the dominant app store in India.

Xiaomi plans to launch a variety of smartphones in India in 2025, covering flagship to budget segments. The Xiaomi 15 series, including the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, is expected by March, while the Redmi Note 14 series is set for early 2025. Budget options like the Redmi A4 and Redmi 14 are also anticipated to cater to entry-level buyers. Rumors hint at a Xiaomi 15 Civi launch mid-year.

As Xiaomi continues to expand its presence in the Indian market, this strategic partnership with PhonePe is a significant step towards strengthening its position and meeting the evolving needs of its customers.

(Source)

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Apple is undoubtedly one of the world’s most profitable companies. However, if you think the tech giant’s revenue comes solely from hardware sales like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and AirPods, you’re mistaken. The company also generates substantial income from its App Store, which technically offers alongside these products.

However, this revenue has been under threat due to the European Union requiring Apple to open its ecosystem to third-party app marketplaces. The situation is so dire that Apple has had to allow marketplaces from adversaries it has been in legal battles with, such as Epic Games. Here are the details…

Apple Approves Epic Games’ App Store

The battle between Epic Games and Apple continues at full speed. This rivalry, which made headlines in the past with events like the removal of Fortnite from the App Store and Epic’s lawsuit against Apple, has recently resurfaced with the third-party app marketplace issue. Allegedly, Apple has been intentionally delaying the approval needed for Epic Games to launch its own app store in the EU region.

Apple has been using excuses like the store’s close resemblance to the original App Store during this process. Epic Games made the following statement regarding the issue:

Apple has rejected our Epic Games Store notarization submission twice now, claiming the design and position of Epic’s “Install” button is too similar to Apple’s “Get” button and that our “In-app purchases” label is too similar to the App Store’s “In-App Purchases” label.

We are using the same “Install” and “In-app purchases” naming conventions that are used across popular app stores on multiple platforms, and are following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps. We’re just trying to build a store that mobile users can easily understand, and the disclosure of in-app purchases is a regulatory best practice followed by all stores nowadays.

However, according to Apple, Epic Games is being a bit “dramatic.” The company states that the rejection is not due to a personal vendetta but simply because Epic Games did not meet the high standards required. In fact, Epic Games’ third-party app marketplace has been approved.

The real competition is just beginning. Unlike other App Store alternatives, Epic Games is a sizable company. With its connections, disdain for Apple, and vast resources, Epic Games has the potential to undermine App Store revenues in Europe. However, we can only wait and see if this will actually happen.

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The App Store and Google Play Store are the undisputed kings of the app world. But even though practically every smartphone uses one or the other, not all apps are available on mobile devices. The main issue is of course hefty commission that goes up to 30%. Well, thanks to new EU regulations, that’s changing in Europe and the Epic Games Store is finally landing on iOS and Android, and we even have a release date. Here are the details…

Epic Games Brings its Store to iOS and Android

Following the European Union’s mandate requiring Apple to allow alternative stores in Europe, rumors about a mobile Epic Games Store started circulating. Now, these claims have finally been confirmed. According to a statement by the company’s General Manager, Steve Allison, the Epic Games Store application will be available for both iOS and Android by the end of 2024.

We currently have no information about what the application will look like, but it’s a significant change for iOS users who want to take advantage of discounts and free game offers from Epic Games while on the go. While Epic Games has been a vocal critic of Apple and Google’s app store commissions, the company will take a 12% commission from sales on its own mobile store.

Though lower than the industry standard, this decision has been met with some criticism. It’s important to note, however, that Epic Games offers developers additional value beyond the storefront, such as the widely used and free Unreal Engine.

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In a significant development surrounding Apple’s response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), EU industry chief Thierry Breton has issued a stern warning, stating that Apple will face robust action if its changes to the App Store do not align with the upcoming EU regulations. The DMA, enacted in 2022, addresses alleged anticompetitive practices by major tech companies, designating them as “gatekeepers” and imposing specific obligations.

Apple’s move to comply with the DMA includes allowing software developers to distribute apps through alternative stores starting in early March. Notably, developers can opt out of using Apple’s in-app payment system, which currently charges up to 30% commissions. However, critics argue that Apple’s fee structure remains unfair and may violate the DMA, with some contending that the changes offered by Apple do not go far enough.

Thierry Breton emphasizes that the DMA’s goal is to open the internet gates to competition for fair and open digital markets. The assessment of companies’ proposals will commence on March 7, and strong action will be taken if the proposed solutions are deemed insufficient.

Under the new regime, developers still need to submit apps to Apple for review regarding cybersecurity risks and fraud. However, developers now have the option to choose alternative app stores and payment systems. Apple has introduced a “core technology fee” of 50 euro cents per user account per year for developers opting into the new business terms.

Apple estimates that under the new terms, 99 percent of developers would reduce or maintain the fees owed to Apple. However, larger companies with millions of free users, such as Meta and Spotify, maybe more significantly affected. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek criticized Apple’s proposed changes, describing them as ‘vague and misleading’ and accusing Apple of ‘extortion.’

Ek points out that the 0.50 cent Euro fee per download, every year, in perpetuity, is tantamount to ‘extortion.’ He questions the need for an annual flat fee in addition to the existing commission on digital goods, raising concerns about the impact on developers, especially potential start-ups and those offering free apps.

The European Commission took note of Apple’s announcements ahead of the compliance deadline and encouraged designated gatekeepers to test their proposals with third parties. In response to the DMA, Apple announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union, allowing third-party app stores on iOS for the first time.

While Apple aims to comply with the DMA, criticism persists for the perceived inadequacy and potential negative impact on developers. As the compliance deadline gets closer, the tech industry is waiting to see what happens next and how the European Commission responds to Apple’s plans.

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Apple continues to expand its product family. In line with this the company just started taking pre-orders for Vision Pro. Of course, the tech giant has more plans beyond this. For instance, we know that the iPhone 16 series will be unveiled in September, but have you ever wondered what’s in future until then? Luckily, no need to overthink it, because Mark Gurman Mark Gurman has revealed on what to expect from the company soon. Here are the details…

Apple Roadmap: App Store Evolution, AI Integration, and Upcoming Devices

In 2023, Apple achieved remarkable success. For example, despite setbacks in markets like China, iPhone 14 series sold exceptionally well making Apple the world’s top smartphone maker beating Samsung. Now, Apple faces an even more challenging task, to become even more successful. Therefore, a range of new products and software that Apple has been working on will be unveiled in the coming months.

The first of these is something the company has to do, not what it wants to do. Apple must allow other app stores on iOS by March 7, following European Union decisions. A potential change may break the App Store monopoly, allowing installations like Android’s APK system. Furthermore, it entails allowing access to the payment chip on Apple devices for other mobile wallet providers and introducing third-party billing options. However, this change is anticipated to lead to notable decreases in app developers’ earnings.

In June, we will witness the traditional Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where new versions of software like iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and the latest macOS will be unveiled. Additionally, there are expectations of integrating artificial intelligence features similar to Galaxy AI into Siri. Despite Apple being perceived as behind competitors like Samsung, Google, and Microsoft in generative artificial intelligence, the company’s resources suggest that this gap can certainly be closed.

Certainly, Apple has more than just software innovations lined up for 2024. They’re gearing up to reveal fresh iPad models, including a larger screen variant resembling the iPad Pro, with the possibility of more budget-friendly options. Given the importance of MacBook models, it’s inconceivable for 2024 to go by without new additions. We might see the introduction of M3-powered MacBook Airs from the company.

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Apple and Epic Games finished their fight, and Tim Cook didn’t get what he wanted. As you know, in 2021, the US court ruled that app developers could redirect users to third-party payment platforms to avoid paying a 30% commission to Apple. The company Apple appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but today, the court rejected the appeal, putting an end to Apple’s tax. Here are the details…

Developers Now Permitted External Payment Links in the U.S.

Apple makes a lot of money from the App Store. They get 30% of the money when people buy things from apps. This policy has sparked criticism from developers who argue that it leads to revenue losses and excessive profits for Apple. Despite these concerns, Apple is sticking to keeping its money. However, a recent court rules allows developers to link to alternative payment platforms, provided the app continues to offer payments through Apple’s in-app payment system.

App Store

Certainly, this is great news for major companies like Epic Games, Netflix, and Spotify. Large-scale enterprises can easily establish an independent and reliable payment system. However, smaller developers have no choice but to rely on Apple or trust third-party platforms where they may incur lower but still high commissions.

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Apple‘s App Store in India has recently delisted ten crypto exchanges, including prominent ones like Binance and KuCoin, following directives from India’s Ministry of Finance due to non-compliance issues. This action is a part of India’s intensifying regulation of the cryptocurrency sector. The Indian Ministry of Finance’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) accused these exchanges of operating illegally in the country and failing to adhere to anti-money laundering regulations.

India’s Crackdown on Crypto Exchanges for Anti-Money Laundering and Tax Adherence

The FIU’s notification to the exchanges occurred on December 28, 2023, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology was requested to enforce the block. The FIU mandates that exchanges operating in India must register as reporting entities and comply with income tax filing requirements. Other affected exchanges include Bitget, Huobi, Gate.io, OKX, Kraken, and MEXC.

This move is seen as an effort to enhance compliance with Indian laws, particularly following the imposition of taxes on digital asset incomes in 2022. Indian law requires a 30% tax on crypto holdings and transfers, along with a 1% tax at source for each trade. The crackdown on offshore exchanges aims to create a level playing field, as India continues to advocate for global collaboration in regulating the crypto sector. While local exchanges in India have been subject to stringent requirements, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, foreign platforms have operated with less scrutiny.

In response to the decision, Binance South Asia reassured existing users that they would not be affected and expressed a commitment to comply with local regulations. Meanwhile, Apple has removed three offshore crypto exchanges from its App Store in India, and there is speculation that similar actions might follow on Google’s Play Store.

The finance ministry emphasizes that both offshore and onshore Virtual Digital Asset service providers in India must register with the Financial Intelligence Unit-India and comply with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This compliance includes maintaining detailed KYC information and records of transactions with clients. The government’s stringent stance on crypto regulations, including heavy taxation and compliance mandates, has significantly impacted the trading volumes and operations of crypto exchanges in India.

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Apple is one of the world’s largest companies, wielding economic power that surpasses many countries. However, even this doesn’t exempt the tech giant from adhering to regulations and oversight. For instance, following a European Union decision last year, Apple abandoned the Lightning port and started using the USB-C port in the iPhone 15 series. Now, due to another EU influence, the company is relenting on one of its major stances. Starting from next year, it will be possible to install APKs on the iPhone.

Apple’s App Store Monopoly Challenged as EU Ruling Forces New Rules

If you’re an Android user, you’ve likely ventured outside of the Google Play Store to install applications by downloading APK files. Bypassing Google and installing apps using APKs might not be challenging for you. However, for iPhone users, it’s not so simple, as they are always bound by Apple’s rules with no alternative to the App Store. But soon, installing APKs on the iPhone will become a reality.

To clarify, when we say “installing APK on the iPhone,” we are using familiar terminology. However, APK stands for Android Package Kit and is a file type specific to the Android platform. So, technically, installing APKs on the iPhone is not feasible. The iOS equivalent of APK is IPA, a file format used for distributing iOS applications. Similar to APKs, IPAs contain the application’s code, images, and other resources.

The term for installing applications outside the official app store is called sideloading. The Digital Markets Act, enacted by the European Union on November 1, 2022, enables Apple users to perform the action referred to as “installing APK on the iPhone.” So, when will this happen?

As mentioned earlier, the law is already in effect, meaning Apple is now obligated to implement it. However, the company has requested additional time, citing that its systems are not yet ready. The EU has accepted this request on the condition that the feature will be introduced no later than the iOS 17.2 update in 2024.

Of course, Apple has the option not to comply with the rules of the European Union. However, this could result in penalties amounting to 20% of its global revenue. Failing to pay these penalties could lead to sanctions such as a ban on sales in Europe. Therefore, Apple has no other choice. But why is Apple against sideloading?

Why is Apple against sideloading?

The disruption of the App Store economy could be a significant factor. Apple may argue potential security vulnerabilities as its reason, claiming that iPhones are more secure than Android due to their closed-system design. If everyone starts installing apps from external sources, this could change. However, the reality is a bit different.

The tech giant currently takes a 15% to 30% commission from the earnings of all applications on the App Store. Whether you buy diamonds in a game or subscribe to a service, a portion goes to Apple. Now, app developers might be able to change this and avoid the so-called “Apple Tax.” However, opening the door to pirated installations could also complicate matters for app developers.

What the future holds for Apple and App Store developers is currently uncertain. Nevertheless, the ability to install APKs on the iPhone is a positive development for users amid these uncertainties.

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Apple is reportedly preparing to make a significant policy change in Europe, aiming to allow third-party app stores on its devices by March 2024. This shift is in response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which requires such adjustments to promote competition in the app distribution space.

EU’s Digital Markets Act Pushes Apple to Enable Alternative App Stores by 2024

According to Apple’s recent 10-K filing, the company expects to comply with the new EU legislation, which will directly impact the way its App Store operates. This includes changes in how Apple charges developers, manages the distribution of applications outside its App Store, and allows developers to communicate with users for alternative purchase options.

This move towards permitting third-party app stores could potentially reduce Apple’s App Store revenue, which could have a significant impact on the company’s overall business and financial performance.

Apple, historically known for its strict stance against third-party app stores and sideloading, has not made any public comments regarding these developments following the filing.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley have interpreted the updated language in the filing as a sign that third-party app store access in the EU is on the horizon. They believe that Apple can successfully navigate these changes, citing the security, centralization, and convenience of the existing App Store as factors that might discourage users from switching to third-party alternatives.

In addition to its European challenges, Apple has also faced complications related to its app guidelines in China. The company has adjusted its guidelines to comply with new regulations, which limit access to banned foreign apps. These changes align with China’s increasing internet restrictions, potentially affecting Chinese iPhone users’ access to global platforms. However, Apple’s strong brand and diverse product range, including the popular iPhone 15, are expected to help maintain its hardware sales in China.

Now if you have come this far, I highly recommend you to read our recent article on how governments are actively regulating big tech companies to align with their objectives.

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Apple is undoubtedly one of the largest companies in history, surpassing the GDP of many countries with its annual revenue alone. However, even with hundreds of millions of users and revenues in the billions, the company is not immune to government pressure. For example, the US tech giant was forced to adopt USB-C ports on its phones ahead of schedule due to pressure from the European Union. Now, a similar legal process is unfolding in China. In an effort to resolve these recent issues, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, is meeting with China’s information technology minister as Beijing demands compliance with their app store regulations. Here are the details…

Tim Cook Meets China’s IT Minister Amidst App Store Compliance Demands

China is undeniably a technology and development hub, but it is not the world’s freest country. The Asian nation often makes headlines for its restrictions and regulations. One recent example is the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s requirement that all apps in China register with mainland authorities by the end of March 2024. This development has also prompted Apple to make changes to its domestic and foreign app stores, including the App Store.

This situation prompted Apple to make some changes. The company later updated its app store rules, requiring app developers to acquire the necessary Chinese licenses before their apps could be downloaded. However, even this move couldn’t completely ease the concerns, especially among developers, that Chinese consumers might lose access to foreign apps. Finally, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, met with China’s information technology minister to address these concerns, as Beijing was demanding compliance with its app store regulations.

According to the ministry, Tim Cook said that Apple is committed to supporting its supply chain partners in China and helping them grow, and that it will create a better ecosystem for local developers. He also said that Apple will continue to operate in China in accordance with local laws and regulations.

Minister Jin Zhuanglong said in the meeting that he hoped Apple would continue to invest in China, and achieve a “win-win” by taking part in the industrial upgrade of the country. He also noted China would further open up to the global economy as it recently announced the removal of restrictions against foreign investment in the manufacturing industry.

It is unclear whether Cook’s meeting with the MIIT minister will lead to any concrete changes to Apple’s business practices in China. However, the meeting is a sign that Apple is taking China’s demands seriously.

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Apple is one of the world’s largest technology companies, with a user base reaching hundreds of millions. This means even the company’s services have their own economy. For instance, the App Store is a billion-dollar revenue source that hosts numerous companies and individual developers. However, as Spider-Man fans would remember, “With great power comes great responsibility,” and the tech giant seems to be facing some issues with the responsibility aspect. According to recent reports, Apple has dismissed several members of its App Store team in China due to “business misconduct” and “sexual assault.” Here are the details…

Apple Investigates App Store Team for Business Misconduct and Sexual Assault Allegations

We closely follow technology companies, which operate in many different countries around the world and consist of vast teams and departments. Therefore, although it’s unfortunate, scandals sometimes emerge. For instance, we recently reported the arrest of Vivo’s regional CFO in India, along with other executives, due to a $120 million money laundering case. Now, it has come to light that Apple has fired multiple App Store employees after an investigation revealed business misconduct and allegations of sexual assault.

Based on the information provided, Apple conducted a year-long internal investigation that revealed various misdeeds. These included improper contact with mobile game developers, sexual assault, and more. The company first became aware of the issue during an internal audit in 2022 and has since conducted a thorough investigation. More than half a dozen staff members from the App Store business team in China were implicated in this investigation. However, only five of them were dismissed over this period.

Unfortunately, the specific nature of the business misconduct is unclear. However, one of the issues involves bending the rules of the App Store. The individuals under investigation help developers get their apps approved for listing in the store, offer advice on how to increase app revenue, and decide which apps to feature on the App Store’s main home pages. Although at first glance this may not seem too bad, listing an app without proper scrutiny and boosting it with various information appears to have led to unfair competition.

Of course, this wasn’t the only instance where ethical lines were crossed. It was reported that Apple employees accepted “complimentary meals and nightclub outings from these parties,” in return for potential exposure and editorial promotion in the App Store. However, it’s important to emphasize that none of the individuals involved in the investigation had the power to directly approve or reject apps from the App Store. Yet, some of the dismissed employees had roles that could influence decisions. I’m sure you’ve also thought about how easily certain things can be done from the inside at your workplace. The situation here is no different.

Apple has stringent rules regarding certain communications. For instance, App Store review and editorial staff are not permitted to meet with developers unless they have prior approval. While those in “developer relations and business management” can meet with developers, they must not accept expensive gifts or meals. If you think what I’ve mentioned so far is bad, a report revealed that Apple dismissed an App Store employee last year over allegations of sexual assault on another employee.

An employee from Apple’s structure in China, which has been described as “corrupt”, has allegedly sexually assaulted an employee at Mihoyo. For those who may not know, Mihoyo is a Chinese game developer famous for its popular mobile game, Genshin Impact. Sadly, the details of this heinous crime are unknown. Despite the best efforts of some reputable peers in the tech media, the fired employee did not respond to a request for comment, and Mihoyo’s spokespeople did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Apple’s statement on the subject is as follows:: “Without commenting on the specific allegations of this report, Apple expects its employees worldwide to abide by its very strong ethics and business conduct policies. We thoroughly investigate reports of improper conduct and when appropriate will not hesitate to take immediate action up to and including termination.”

The firing of these employees is a reminder that even the biggest and most successful tech companies are not immune to misconduct. It is also a reminder that Apple is committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees.

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Apple’s dominance on the App Store is more at risk than ever. We had mentioned to you recently that the company’s CEO, Tim Cook, had discussions with the European Union about this and was trying to find common ground. However, the EU isn’t the only entity threatening the American tech giant’s control over its app marketplace.

China is also pushing Apple with its crackdown on unregistered foreign apps. But, of course, just like in the EU, the company’s initial response is to turn to diplomacy. In line with this, Apple has expressed concerns to Chinese officials over new rules that would ban unregistered foreign apps from its App Store. Here are the details…

Apple Presses Diplomacy Over China’s Foreign App Crackdown

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple has expressed concerns to Chinese officials over new rules that would ban unregistered foreign apps from its App Store. The new rules are part of China’s ongoing efforts to increase oversight of smartphone and mobile app usage in the country.

The rules would require mobile app stores and mobile apps to file details of their businesses with the government, including their ownership structure, data storage practices, and security measures. Apps that do not comply with the rules would be banned from the App Store. Apple is concerned that the new rules would prevent it from offering many of the popular foreign apps that are currently available in the App Store in China.

These apps include Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp. Apple is also concerned that the new rules would give the Chinese government more control over its users’ data. Apple has reportedly met with Chinese officials several times in recent months to discuss the new rules. The company has argued that the rules would violate its privacy and security commitments to its users. Apple has also said that the rules would make it difficult for it to offer new and innovative apps to its Chinese users.

It is unclear how the Chinese government will respond to Apple’s concerns. However, the company’s public stance against the new rules could put it at odds with the Chinese government. Apple is a major player in the Chinese smartphone market, and its App Store is the only way for most Chinese users to download foreign apps.

If Apple is forced to comply with the new rules, it could lead to a significant reduction in the number of foreign apps available to Chinese users. This could have a negative impact on the Chinese tech industry, as many foreign apps are popular among Chinese consumers. The new rules are also likely to raise concerns among human rights groups and privacy advocates.

It remains to be seen how the Chinese government will implement the new rules and whether Apple will be able to continue offering its full range of apps in China.

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Instagram has been working on a Twitter competitor named Threads, which was leaked a few weeks back. Now, it appears the company is all set to launch it in the coming days or weeks officially.

The official Instagram Threads application from Meta is now available for pre-order on Apple’s App Store, indicating that the launch is imminent.

While the company has not yet revealed the launch date, the listing on the App Store reveals that the application could get launched on 6th July, in just a couple of days. It is being said that Instagram Threads will integrate with the decentralized social media protocol used by Mastodon, called ActivityPub.

The official description of the application on the App Store listing reads: “Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow. Whatever it is you’re interested in, you can follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things — or build a loyal following of your own to share your ideas, opinions and creativity with the world.”

It remains to be seen if the company will adopt a slower rollout for users, which is more likely to happen. So, while the app may be available for download from the 6th of July, not everyone will be able to post on the platform from that date.

Twitter has been facing a lot of issues with the platform, especially after its acquisition by Elon Musk. While there were issues with the content moderation policies, the platform has had a lot of technical problems over the past few weeks. Given Twitter’s condition these days, it looks like a perfect time to launch a competing product.

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The Play Store and App Store are the only places most people go to get new apps for their phones. This is because these two stores come pre-installed on our phones, and also we don’t have any other choice. Both Google and Apple have been trying to prevent people from installing apps from other sources, which would allow them to keep their monopoly on the app market. However, Japan is preparing to change this by allowing other app stores to compete with the Play Store and App Store. Here are the details…

Japan to open up Apple and Google app stores to competition

The free market is a powerful force that drives innovation and competition. It gives consumers the freedom to choose the products and services that they want, and it gives businesses the incentive to create better products and services at lower prices. However, the app store market is not exactly free. Compaines like Google, Apple, and Huawei have all created closed ecosystems that limit the choices that developers and users have. However, this is changing soon.

Japan’s government has announced plans to open up the smartphone app stores of Apple and Google to competition. The move is aimed at spurring competition and leading to lower app prices. The new regulations would allow users to download apps from other app stores, as long as those stores meet certain security and privacy standards. The regulations would also allow users to pay for apps using third-party payment platforms.

In addition, the regulations would require Apple and Google to allow users to delete pre-installed apps and to stop giving preferential treatment to their own services in their search engines. The government says the new regulations will help to create a more level playing field for app developers and consumers. It is also expected to lead to lower app prices. The regulations are still in the draft stage, but the government plans to submit them to parliament for approval later this year.

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Apple is one of the world’s largest technology companies. In 2022, they earned $394.3 billion. They also made a profit of $99.8 billion, which is more than most countries. Apple’s contribution to the world economy goes beyond its own earnings. Millions of developers from all over the world use Apple’s services such as App Store to sell their products and reach more customers. In 2022, App Store developers generated $1.1 trillion in total billings and sales. Here are the details…

App Store Developers Generate $1.1 Trillion in Total Billings and Sales in 2022

Apple released a report on the financial performance of its app ecosystem in 2022. The report showed that the App Store generated $1.1 trillion in total billings and sales, an increase of 29% from the previous year. Of this revenue, 90% was not subject to Apple’s commission. Apple takes a commission of 15% to 30% on in-app purchases and paid downloads through the App Store.

This impressive sum of $1.1 trillion comprises of $910 billion derived from sales of physical goods and services, $109 billion from in-app advertising, and $104 billion from digital goods and services. This performance demonstrates a significant increase from the 2019 figures, when the App Store managed $519 billion in commerce with only $61 billion coming from digital goods and services. According to Apple, from 2008 to 2022, iOS app developers have collectively earned over $320 billion on the App Store, representing a substantial increase from the $260 billion reported in 2021.

• $910 billion from sales of physical goods and services
• $109 billion from in-app advertising
• $104 billion from digital goods and services

The report also showcases other growth-related metrics about the App Store. The data indicates a slight rise in the growth of developer billings and sales from 2021 to 2022 at 29%, slightly higher than the 27% growth experienced in the preceding two years. Small developers, in particular, saw their earnings grow by an impressive 71% from 2020 to 2022, surpassing the growth of larger app developers.

Here is a list of the countries with GDPs less than $1.1 trillion in 2022:

• Afghanistan
• Angola
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Congo, Democratic Republic of the
• Congo, Republic of the
• Djibouti
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini
• Ethiopia
• Gambia, The
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Iraq
• Kenya
• Kosovo
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mozambique
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Nepal
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Rwanda
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Republic of Tanzania
• Yemen

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(source)

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Apple has been forced to disclose the monthly active user count of its App Store in Europe in order to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act. The disclosure revealed that the iOS App Store has 101 million users in Europe, while iPadOS has 23 million, indicating the immense popularity of Apple’s mobile devices in the region.

iOS App Store boasts 101 million active users in Europe

While the Mac App Store has 6 million users, the tvOS App Store has 1 million, and the watchOS App Store has less than 1 million users, Apple’s disclosure highlights the dominance of its mobile devices in the European market. In addition, less than 1 million people in Europe use Apple Books and Podcasts for paid subscriptions each month, according to Apple’s report.

The EU’s Digital Services Act aims to regulate “very large online platforms”, which are defined as platforms with over 45 million monthly active users. While Apple considers each operating system’s App Store as a separate platform, only the iPhone iOS App Store is classified as a “very large” online platform, with over 101 million monthly active users in Europe alone.

In response to the Digital Services Act, Apple has pledged to “adjust” all its App Stores in Europe to comply with the regulations, even though the law only requires compliance for the iOS App Store. The regulations set by the DSA include protecting children from advertising, limiting the spread of misinformation, and more, aligning with Apple’s goal of protecting consumers from illegal content.

However, the Digital Markets Act, another EU regulation, may force Apple to support alternative app stores and app sideloading on the iPhone, at least for its European customers. This could potentially have a significant impact on Apple’s app store revenue, as the company currently takes a 15%-30% commission on all app sales and in-app purchases made through its platform.

With further regulations on the horizon, it remains to be seen how Apple will adapt to the changing landscape of the digital marketplace.

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PhonePe, the Walmart-backed fintech giant, is gearing up to challenge Google’s dominance in the Indian app store market with the launch of its own app store for Android users. According to an internal company document reviewed by TechCrunch, the app store will offer hyper-localized services based on customer context and assist developers with high-quality user acquisition through multilingual solutions.

PhonePe sees opportunity in India’s app store market with recent antitrust ruling

PhonePe’s move into the app store market comes after the acquisition of app store maker IndusOS, which served customers through partnerships with smartphone vendors. The app store will offer support for 12 languages, 24×7 live chat, and a “premiere experience” for users with high-quality advertisements and custom targeting.

PhonePe’s decision to build an app store comes from its belief that consumers are reluctant to download multiple apps on their phones. The app store is also part of PhonePe’s ongoing funding round this year, which has raised $750 million from General Atlantic, Walmart, and Tiger Global, among others. PhonePe confirmed that it’s holding multiple conversations with phone makers in India and plans to be live on all Android OEMs within the first few months of launch.

This move is significant because Google commands 97% of the Indian app store market, and PhonePe’s entry into the market could challenge Google’s dominance. The timing is also favorable for PhonePe, as a recent order from the Indian antitrust watchdog Competition Commission of India paves the way for other developers to build and launch their app stores on Google Play. PhonePe sees an opportunity to build an alternative app store that is more localized, not just from a language perspective but also from a discovery and consumer interest perspective.

This latest product push follows PhonePe’s recent entry into the e-commerce category, and it’s another example of the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its services beyond mobile payments. As one of India’s most valuable fintech startups, PhonePe is well-positioned to challenge Google’s dominance in the app store market, and its app store could provide a much-needed alternative for Indian consumers who are looking for more localized services.

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Apple has long been known for its tight control over its App Store, allowing only apps that meet its strict guidelines to be available for download on iOS devices. However, that may soon change with the introduction of iOS 17. According to industry insider Mark Gurman, iOS 17 is set to allow users to sideload third-party apps and download applications from outside the App Store, a feature that has been highly requested by users and developers alike.

Sideloading and third-party app installations will reportedly come to iOS 17

This change could have a significant impact on the app distribution market, as developers will be able to avoid the 15% to 30% fees that Apple currently charges for in-app transactions and purchasable apps for the first year. While paying these fees may not be favorable for any business model, sideloading programs and third-party app stores will give developers the option to distribute their apps outside of Apple’s ecosystem.

Gurman suggests that iOS 17 will be the turning point for Apple’s attitude towards third-party applications. He goes on to mention that Apple plans to remove its restrictions against sideloading apps by 2024, with iOS 17 being the first step towards this overhaul.

The European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which directs companies to allow third-party app installations, is likely a driving force behind Apple’s decision to allow sideloading. While companies have until March 2024 to comply with the rules, Apple is expected to roll out this feature earlier in Europe due to the EU’s stern demand.

In addition to allowing sideloading, iOS 17 is expected to introduce multiple new features and significantly improve existing functionalities such as Control Center and Dynamic Island. Fans can expect Apple to share more information about sideloading and third-party apps at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2023 or later in the year.

Overall, the introduction of sideloading on iOS devices will give users and developers more flexibility and options when it comes to app distribution. It remains to be seen how this will impact Apple’s bottom line and its control over its ecosystem, but it’s clear that the tech giant is willing to make significant changes to meet the demands of its users and the market.

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Microsoft is apparently looking to rival Google and Apple in the mobile application ecosystem market. The company is working on its very own mobile app store that will take on the Apple and Google’s dominance.

Phil Spencer, the head of the American tech giant told Financial Times that the DMA (European Union’s Digital Markets Act) will help the brand in building and launching its mobile application store. For those unaware, the new act will come into effect in 2024. under this law, Apple and Google will now be required to allow users to download and run third party digital contents on their devices, which are outside of their respective app stores.

The senior executive added that “We want to be able to offer Xbox and content from ours and our third party partners on any screen anyone wants to play. Today we can’t do that on mobile devices, but we want to build the ecosystem that we believe will happen when those devices become open.” Interestingly enough, the company has recently acquired a number of game studios. In other words, its new acquisitions of known names like Activision Blizzard and the move of entering the mobile app store market clearly signals an expansion into this segment.

Thanks to the great success of Activision’s mobile titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Candy Crush Saga, we can expect this new Microsoft app store to see a great start. These two names alone are some of the biggest games in Google’s and Apple’s stores, so Microsoft will undoubtedly leverage their success for its own app store.

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Smartphone and tablet use among children is higher than ever before, as these devices have become an important source of entertainment and education for kids during the pandemic. However, it’s important for parents to be mindful of what their children are doing with technology, as it can have significant consequences not just for their health but also for their finances.

Mom warns parents of in-app purchases risks after son spends $16K on video game

A Connecticut mother has issued a warning to other parents after her six-year-old son charged an astronomical amount in in-app purchases to her PayPal account while playing his favorite game on an iPad. Jessica Johnson, a resident of Wilton and mother of two, noticed the same charge of $106.34 appearing on her bank statement 12 times in a row in July. In a transaction report shared with “Good Morning America,” there were also lesser charges of $53.16 and several more in the $200 to $600 range.

Johnson contacted her bank and Apple, as well as the video game developer Sega, which owns Sonic the Hedgehog. Sega has not yet responded to “Good Morning America’s” request for comment. Johnson said she received a call from Apple on Tuesday and the company agreed to refund her a portion of the money. “They refunded me back $10,553.86,” she said, adding that she does not know the significance of the dollar amount. Apple confirmed to “Good Morning America” that it was able to provide Johnson with a refund for all the charges the company was able to identify.

In a statement, Apple stressed that its products have tools implemented to help customers protect themselves and their families against unauthorized in-app charges. These tools include parental controls, the ability to set up an Apple ID for each family member, family sharing, and “Ask to Buy,” where kids can send a request to their family organizer to approve or decline a purchase or download. Apple also allows customers to require a password for every purchase or every 15 minutes, or to choose how often they would like to enter a password when making purchases from the App Store and iTunes Store.

Johnson, who had a password set on the iPad that she and her children share, but believes her settings allowed for a one-time password entry, said she didn’t realize there was a setting where the child could continue to make purchases without a password after a certain amount of time. She added that she hopes her experience will serve as a cautionary tale for other parents and encourage them to be aware of the various settings available to protect against unauthorized purchases.

As a mother of young children, Johnson said it was important for other parents to be aware of this type of incident. “It’s unfortunate, because we’re all in a pandemic, we’re all working from home. We are working really hard to keep our kids entertained while getting work done. We’re [sometimes] inclined to say, ‘Here, take the iPad.’ I think, clearly, it backfired in my case,” she said.

Apple said its customers are provided with built-in tools to help parents manage their child’s use of devices and protect against unauthorized in-app charges. These resources include the ability to manage in-app purchases and “Ask to Buy,” keep track of family’s app usage, create app limits, only allow kid-safe apps, and set up downtime for specific times of the day.

“For over a decade, the App Store has proved to be the safest and most trusted place to discover and download apps,” Apple said in its statement. “We understand mistakes can still happen and work with customers to investigate, educate them on the tools available for their protection, and, in this case, provided the customer with a refund.”

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(via)

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The European Union has treated Apple quite harshly. Previously, they outlawed the sale of iPhones because the devices don’t come with charging adapters in the box. Later, a law mandating USB Type-C ports for all electronic equipment was passed by the Union, which indirectly hit Apple. A new online report asserts that the EU has ordered the Cupertino tech giant to permit third-party app stores and sideloading of software in their iPhones. The company is supposedly working on it right now.

Apple is only going to add sideloading support in Europe at first. If the company implements the new change on their iPhones, users would be able to download apps without using the App Store, which would eliminate the need for developers to pay Apple’s 15 to 30 per cent fees. According to Apple, sideloading will “undermine the privacy and security measures” that iPhone users depend on, making consumers more susceptible to viruses, swindles, data tracking, and other problems.

If additional countries enact legislation with a similar structure, alternative app stores might become accessible outside of the European Union. For instance, legislation mandating Apple’s approval of sideloading is being considered in the United States. The Digital Markets Act of the European Union, which came into effect on November 1, mandates that “gatekeeper” businesses make their platforms and services available to other businesses and developers. The DMA will have a significant impact on Apple’s platforms and may lead to significant changes to the App Store, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and other services. Apple has until March 6, 2024, to respect to EU regulations.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is investing a “substantial amount of resources” to open up “critical aspects of Apple’s platforms,” with the help of its software engineering and services staff. The functionality will be available for iOS 17 in 2023, which would put Apple ahead of schedule. Some staff informed Bloomberg that there is a chance that these significant improvements may have an impact on the development of new features for iOS 17.

Apple is thinking about implementing security criteria like verification, a procedure for which it may charge a fee rather than just taking money from software sales, to safeguard customers from the abovementioned risks of sideloading. Users can browse apps outside of the Mac App Store while being safe thanks to Apple’s authentication system for Mac. The iPhones might also use a similar system.

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Source/Via

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Apple has been pretty restrictive when it comes to allowing users to install applications on their smartphones or tablets. The apps on the iPhones and iPads need to be installed only through the company’s App Store, and for every transaction through those apps, the tech giant charges a commission.

Now, it appears that users will have more choices when it comes to installing applications. As per the report from Bloomberg, Apple is preparing to add support for third-party app stores for the iPhones and iPads in the European Union.

The development comes as the Cupertino-based technology giant works to comply with new competition law in the European Union. The Digital Markets Act has a set of rules designed to create fair and open competition in the digital world, and large companies that fail to comply with the rules could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.

Apple is now working to comply with the relies and would allow users to install third-party apps without going through the company’s own App Store, essentially bypassing the tech giant’s restrictions and up to 30% commission that Apple charges on App Store purchases.

Google and Samsung already have their own app stores, but they already allow sideloading of applications, which means that users can download applications from anywhere and are not restricted to their own app stores. On the other hand, Apple has been restrictive, allowing users to only download apps from its App Store, citing security reasons, but it’s most likely to keep the 30% commission.

Apple has been in the hot waters for a couple of years now because of its restrictive policies when it comes to downloading and installing applications on iPhones. While app makers like Epic Games and Spotify have filed lawsuits against Apple because of the App Store restrictions, other giants like Facebook, Twitter, and others have publicly criticized the company.

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Elon Musk has just called out Apple for its App Store policies regarding payments. The latter has already faced scrutiny in various regions across the globe, with the latest criticism coming from the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.

The senior executive from Tesla stated that “Apple’s store is like having a 30 percent tax on the internet. Definitely not ok,” from his official Twitter account. He further added that it is “Literally 10 times higher than it should be.” In other words, Elon Musk is clearly against the fee that the Cupertino based giant charges app developers and believes that the fee should be a tenth of what it currently is.

For those unaware, this isn’t the first time this argument has been brought up, with bodies like the EU also calling these charges as anti competitive as well. To be fair, the iPhone maker only charges 30 percent cut from app developers who make more than 1 million US Dollars through the App Store on an annual basis. On the other hand, smaller developers who make less than this figure are charged just 15 percent through the Small Business Developer Program.

Notably, this also isn’t the first time Musk has criticized Apple. Back in July 2021, he had called out the brand for creating a walled garden, stating that “I think we do want to emphasize that our goal is to support the advent of sustainable energy. It is not to create a walled garden and use that to bludgeon our competitors which is used by some companies.”

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Earlier this week, we had reported on Apple facing additional fines in the Netherlands for failing to comply with orders from the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). While the company had almost hit the fines upper limit of 50 million EUR (roughly 55 million US Dollars), now the cumulative fines have reached this point.

For those unaware, the Cupertino based giant was facing the fines for failing to provide the mandated alternative payment system for Dutch dating apps. Since this rule came into effect, the iPhone maker would face 5 million EUR in fines each week till the fines hit 50 million EUR. However, due to its failure to provide adequate measures, Apple kept receiving the fines for 10 weeks in a row.

So far, the company has chosen to offer Dutch dating apps to use external payment methods, but developers that opt for this system will have to submit a separate app binary and will not be able to offer 3rd payment options and in app purchases simultaneously. However, the ACM did not approve of the brand’s attempt at making developers choose between using either alternative payments or in app payments and required Apple to offer both options.

Furthermore, the company had even reduced its commission on purchases using 3rd party payment systems down to 27 percent instead of the usual 30 percent, but developers would again have to submit a monthly record of sales so Apple can track its commission. With the upper limit of the fines being hit, its unknown what actions the ACM will take against the tech giant, although, it is likely that it would face stricter punishment in the form of higher fines. As of right now, the ACM is currently in the process of reviewing Apple’s latest proposal for compliance and said that it “should result in definitive conditions for dating app providers that wish to use the App Store.”

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Following the dating app dispute in Netherlands, Apple has announced that it will be charging 27 percent commission on purchases through a third party payment systems in the application.

Back in October 2021, we had reported on the Dutch authority labeling the Cupertino based giant’s in app purchase rules as anti competitive. Netherland’s Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) had ordered the iPhone maker to make changes in order to not face a fine. However, Apple had failed to comply in time and faced a 5 million US Dollars fine per week till it eventually made the changes. Now, it seems that the brand is finally moving to comply with the Dutch authority.

The company further added that “Consistent with the ACM’s order, dating apps that are granted an entitlement to link out or use a third-party in-app payment provider will pay Apple a commission on transactions. Apple will charge a 27% commission on the price paid by the user, net of value-added taxes. This is a reduced rate that excludes value related to payment processing and related activities. Developers will be responsible for the collection and remittance of any applicable taxes, such as the Netherlands’ value-added tax (VAT), for sales processed by a third-party payment provider.”

On its developer support site (Via MacRumors), the company shared an update that revealed that Apple would take a 27 percent commission, which is lower than its usual 30 percent commission rate that it charges on payments made through alternative payment methods in dating apps. It also warned that it will not be aware of any purchases made through other methods, so it won’t be able to assist users with refunds, purchase history, subscription management, and other issues that it usually keeps track of. Despite complying with the original order, Apple is still appealing the ACM ruling.

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Apple is facing a sizeable fine from the Dutch competition regulator, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). The company is being hit with 5 million Euros fine (roughly 5.6 million US Dollars).

According to the ACM (Via TheVerge), the Cupertino based giant is facing the fine for failing to allow dating app developers to use third party payments methods. It further added that the iPhone maker will continue to face additional 5 million Euros fine every week if they do not comply with the order, which was first issued back on 24th of December 2021. While the fine of more than 5 million US Dollars is a large amount, it likely won’t impact the multi trillion dollar company.

However, failing to meet the new standards might have Apple face stricter actions. On the other hand, the move from the ACM would also encourage similar agencies from different nations to also take such actions against the brand. An example of this is South Korea, which has already mandated third party payment systems being allowed on applications on the company’s App Store.

Apple had initially announced that it will be making changes ahead of its 15th January 2022 deadline, in accordance to ACM’s order. However, it has yet to roll out support for the third party payment providers in the Dutch App Store. ACM stated that “Apple has failed to adjust its conditions, as a result of which dating-app providers are still unable to use other payment systems.”

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Nvidia GeForce Now game streaming service, which is already available for web users, is now making its debut on the App Store. And with this, the Fortnite game, owned by Epic Games, will be available for iOS devices.

A closed beta version will be available next week to test server capacity, graphics delivery, and touch controls. The company has already started taking registrations and beta access will be granted to the users in batches over the next few weeks.

Making the announcement, Nvidia said: “While PC games in the GeForce Now library are best experienced on mobile with a gamepad, the introduction of touch controls built by the GeForce NOW team offers more options for players, starting with Fortnite.” The company further added that it plans to offer more touch-friendly games in the future.

Based on the information available right now, it appears that users won’t need a paid GeForce Now membership for this. Those users who have been granted access will be able to play Fortnite through Safari on iOS and the GeForce Now app on Android. So far, an end date for the beta version hasn’t been revealed.

It’s been more than a year since Epic Games’ Fortnite was removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for violating policy as the game introduced its own payment engine, and since then, the companies have been tangled in a legal battle.

Currently, this appears to be the only way to play Fornite on an iOS device until the game is officially available through the App Store. However, on an Android device, as there’s support for third-party app stores, Fortnite is available to download through third-party stores or can be sideloaded or installed directly.

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Google and Apple are facing scrutiny in South Korea over their in app payment rules. Both companies were criticized by the government in South Korea, which is considering a ban on their payment rules that could also potentially shake up their dominance in the industry.

According to a TechCrunch report, the Cupertino based and search engine giant are facing trouble in South Korea due to their established rules for how third party apps in their app stores charge for services. In the country, parliamentary committee passed a bill earlier this month to prevent both firms from charging software developer’s commissions on in app purchases. As of right now, this bill is the first of its kind in the world.

Furthermore, the final vote for this planned ban on Google and Apple payment rules by all members of the National Assembly, which was expected to be held in a plenary session on the same day, has been delayed at the moment. Media reports stated that the plenary session was postponed to August 30. If the new bill is adopted, South Korea will become the first nation that banned the global tech firms from charging third party developers on in app payments.

The bill has been called the “Anti-Google law” and was approved by the legislation and judiciary committee of the National Assembly to revise the Telecommunication Business Act. In a statement, Apple said that “the proposed Telecommunications Business Act will put users who purchase digital goods from other sources at risk of fraud, undermine their privacy protections, make it difficult to manage their purchases, and features like ‘Ask to Buy’ and Parental Controls will become less effective. We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this proposal—leading to fewer opportunities for the over 482,000 registered developers in Korea who have earned more than KRW8.55 trillion to date with Apple.”

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Battlegrounds Mobile India or BGMI has been a great success in India. The title launched back in June 2021 for Android and the company had stated that it was working on an iOS port as well. And now, the popular battle royal game is finally available in the Apple App Store.

For those unaware, BGMI only launched in India for Android smartphones. While the company did state that a version for Apple iOS was in the works, it had offered no set date for its launch. Recently, we had even reported on certain teasers, but it was speculated that the iOS port was a while away. But it seems Krafton Inc wasted no time in bringing the popular mobile game to iPhones, which is also one of the most preferred platforms for the title.

For those unaware, many professional esports athletes and players across the globe played PUBG Mobile on iOS devices. So, BGMI’s launch on the App Store was highly anticipated in India. It is currently available on the iOS platform for iPhones that run iOS 11.0 or later. The game has a total size of about 1.9GB and, similar to the Android version, will also offer players the option to download resource packs and other updates following the installation.

Although, Krafton did state that iOS users might not be able to login immediately due to ongoing maintenance but this is scheduled to end by 9:40pm IST later today (18th August 2021). Recently, BGMI achieved a notable feat with the game registering over 50 million downloads on Google Play Store alone. So the studio offered all players with a permanent Galaxy Messenger set in game. You can click on the link here to check out the game on iOS App Store.

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Android has several advantages compared to iOS when it comes to users having control over the device. One of the biggest benefits of Android is that it allows users to download apps from several different sources, including support for the side-loading of apps.

However, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, has spoken out against the side-loading of applications. Answering the question about side-loading apps on iPhone, he said: “That [side-loading – ed] would destroy the security of the iPhone and a lot of the privacy initiatives that we built into the App Store, where we have privacy nutrition labels and app tracking transparency, where it forces people to get permission to track across apps.”

He added that Android has 47 times more malware than iOS but has not cited a source for this data. A report from Nokia in 2019 had claimed that Android was responsible for about 47% of the detected malware compared to 1% for iPhone. But the very next year, malware for Android fell to 26.6% and iPhones rose to 1.7%.

While Tim Cook is criticizing the practice of app side-loading, Apple itself allows this if the user has a developer account. Also, another report from Washington Post claims that almost 2% of App Store’s top 1,000 grossing apps were scams with over 120 million customers downloading those apps.

It’s noteworthy that Android doesn’t allow users to side-load apps or install apps outside of Play Store by default and user needs to give permission before installing an application from somewhere else. Also, Android has over 70 percent of the global mobile operating system market share and malicious actors tend to target the most popular platforms.

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US tech major Apple has announced that it prevented potentially fraudulent transactions via the Apple App Store to the tune of about $1.5 billion in 2020. The Apple news provides cheering reassurance to users of iOS devices that their safety is guaranteed when using the App Store.

There were a couple of accusations that Apple was not doing enough to safeguard its customers from potentially fraudulent activities on several fronts. One of the ways that fraudsters have used to gain access to critical data was through fraudulent apps. But Apple insists that its App Store remains a highly secure platform for mobile applications for its customers.

The blog post highlighted some of the steps taken to protect the App Store users, and the company outlined the outcomes. Apple said that up to a million problematic new apps were removed or rejected, together with a similar quantum of updates rejected. Several thousands of apps did not scale through the rigorous review process put in place, while many others were also axed for violating privacy restrictions.

Notably, the tech giant also says that more than 100,000 illegal apps were blocked on pirate storefronts, about 0.25 billion customer accounts were deactivated due to fraudulent or abusive activity within the year. In addition, about 424 million attempts at creating new accounts were denied after fraudulent patterns were associated with the potential accounts. Apple also says it could prevent more than 3 million stolen credit cards from being used to purchase goods and services.

App security remains a critical issue, and Apple focuses on establishing a secure platform responsive to potentially fraudulent activities. But despite these efforts there are still reports of fraudulent activities on the store. An iPhone user was recently thrown into confusion after his life saving of over $600,000 in Bitcoin was emptied by fraudsters using a fake Trezor wallet he downloaded from the Apple App Store.

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(via)

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Apple has announced that it plans to argue that it faces competition in the video game market in its lawsuit battle against Epic. The company claims that it has competition in the market for video game transactions.

For those unaware, the Cupertino based giant is facing a legal battle against the video game publisher, who filed an antitrust allegation against the firm. The studio behind Fortnite sued the iPhone maker over the 15 to 30 percent commission that it charges for the use of its in app payment systems. The studio also called out Apple’s longstanding practices of exerting complete control of deciding which apps are allowed to be installed on its devices, implying anti competitive behavior.

Last year when Epic launched an in app payment system that bypassed Apple’s commission, the latter removed Fortnite from its App Store. At the moment, the case is expected to be heard in Oakland, California in the US in May 2021. Epic has built its case around the billion strong userbase of the iPhones, which represents a distinct market for software developers, as per a Reuters report. So, the company is claiming that Apple is abusing its position and forcing developers to pay fees on transactions.

In a filing that Apple plans to make, it rejects the notion and states that the proper market to analyze the case in the video game transaction market. In other words, it is arguing that platforms such as Nintendo and Microsoft Xbox gaming consoles also limit the hardware that can run on their platforms and charge a fee as well. So stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding the matter.

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A new study from Huawei AppGallery and the Stress Management Society has found that a rising number of Brits have been using technology to keep their wellbeing in check amid the lockdown. Now, the company has also added known stress relieving app Headspace to its app gallery as well.

The app was added to its ecosystem earlier today (25th February 2021). This arrives after the Chinese tech giant’s study revealed that 78 percent of Brits have used technology to relieve stress or to motivate themselves during the pandemic. During the lockdown, a 17 percent rise was observed in the number of people practicing mindfulness to cope with stress. At the moment, the Huawei AppGallery is the third largest app store in the world, which has now also added Headspace into the platform.

Through Headspace, the company aims to give customers access to ‘additional wellbeing support during this time of increased stress.’ According to Neil Shah, Chief De-Stressing Officer at The Stress Management Society, “It’s inevitable that every single one of us has been impacted in one way or another by the events of the last 12 months – and as we find ourselves living in a strange new reality, it is imperative that we find strategies to increase our resilience to cope with the unfamiliar, uncertain and challenging times we find ourselves living through.”

Jowlawn Victor, Chief International Officer at Headspace also added that “Since the lockdowns started last March, 10 times the number of people in the UK are following our ‘Reframing Anxiety at Home’ workout, and the ‘Stress meditation’ exercise is being listened to six times more than before lockdown; showing just how important a role the app is playing in supporting our mental wellbeing. Some Headspace courses have even had a 1000% spike in users as people turn to our app to help them feel more in control of their wellbeing during these unprecedented times.”

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The Apple App Store in China has removed a large number of mobile games during the month of December 2020. Around 48,000 gaming based applications had been removed from the app ecosystem, which were found breaking the local rules and regulations.

For those unaware, China’s mobile gaming regulator requires every title to receive a special license from the nation’s National Press and Publication Administration, prior to its launch. This license confirms that the game conforms to the local guidelines and rules, which are known to be strict regarding the content that is allowed to be displayed. Now, Apple is keeping the apps they include in their App Store in check as well, which is something Android stores were already enforcing. This apparently led to a massive number of titles being removed from the App Store, as per a SensorTower report.

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As per Sensor Tower’s report, 5,500 apps were removed in July 2020, followed by another 27,000 games in August. However, December saw the biggest purge with over 40,000 titles being removed from the App Store. Notably, this also includes a few apps that were also previously one of the store’s top downloaded or highest grossing games in terms of revenue. At the moment, there is still a possibility for the removed games to return to the Apple App Store sometime in the future, after acquiring the license.

Previously, the Apple App Store was seen as a sort of a ‘grey market’ in China, despite strict regulations being placed on content in the region. However, publishers and studios will no longer be able to benefit from this loophole. China is one of the largest gaming markets in the world, especially for mobile gaming. So, the removal of apps from the App Store highlights the government’s message of ” follow the rules or it’s closed to you.”

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Recently, Apple increased the price of Apps, Games on the App Store in India, Indonesia. Now, it is turning the attention towards China. Despite Apple fixing deadlines and extending them, publishers didn’t submit a license on time. This has led to the company removing thousands of Apps including Games from its China App Store.

According to a Reuters report, Apple has removed 39,000 games from the China App Store. This move comes as the company’s already-extended deadline for obtaining a License comes to an end today. For the unware, Apple issued guidelines to publishers for submitting a License number from the Chinese Government.

This is reportedly for allowing users to do in-app purchases on the App Store. The deadline, which initially was on June-end got extended to Dec. 31 which is today. Anyway, apart from games, Apple has also removed other apps bringing the overall tally to more than 46,000.

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Besides, some of the biggies like Ubisoft‘s Assassin’s Creed Identity and NBA 2K20 also seem to have affected in this sweep. In fact, only 74 of the 1,500 top-grossing games made the cut according to Qimai. While the move could be to be on good terms with regulators of China who hunt unlicensed content, experts also feel it would flip coins for Apple.

Previously, the company came under a lot of criticism for allowing a crowdsourced police activity App on its App store amidst Hong Kong Protests in 2019. More drama unfolded during the initial days of the US – WeChat ban controversy as well. Anyway, analysts say that such stringent measures would make overseas developers look for alternate ad-supported platforms which won’t be good news for the Cupertino giant.

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Apple is facing a lot of heat lately w.r.t to its App Store policies. It already has an Epic Games’ lawsuit pending for next year. Amidst this, the company has taken a sudden step back and made a big announcement that will appease the App developers.

Apple today announced that it’s starting(via XDAdevelopers) a new “App Store Small Business Program”. According to the program, developers who qualify have to pay only a 15% commission. Precisely, if a developer earns less than $1 million in a given year, he is eligible for the program.

This is a big change from Apple who along with Google has recently been criticized for robust commission policies(earlier it was 30% flat). Moving on, Apple says the new program will begin on January 1, 2021. Talking about the program, Apple says it will release a comprehensive details of the policy only in December. However, you can take a look at the gist of it below:

• It includes Existing developers who made up to $1 million in 2020 and new developers to the App Store. They can qualify for the program and the reduced commission.
• If a developer surpasses the $1 million threshold, the standard commission rate will apply for the remainder of the year.
• If a developer’s business falls below the $1 million threshold in a future calendar year, they can requalify for the 15 percent commission the year after.

Anyway, with this new program, the company has reportedly covered around 98% of the companies although they account for only 5% of App Store’s revenue in 2019. According to Apple, App Store revenue in 2019 generated $519 billion revenue with 85% of that benefiting third-party developers. That said, Apple will continue to charge the old 30% commission for those who sell digital goods and services more than $1 million in proceeds.

This is probably because it’s pissed off with the issue over Fortnite, Spotify, and 12 other companies. Back in August, Apple removed Epic Games’ Fortnite game from its App Store. This is because the latter reportedly violated App Store policies and opened direct micro-transactions with a 20% discount. Although Fortnite filed a lawsuit, Apple hit back with a counteraction saying it won’t exempt the game.

Later, it even filed a countersuit demanding seeking punitive damages and a full stop to unfair business practices. This turned hot as both Epic Games, and Spotify now joined together to form a CAF for advocating the Cupertino giant reforms. Let’s hope the new change at least benefits the newcomers in the future.

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The App Store is the only way to get apps and games on iPhones and iPads. Hence, whenever a slight change occurs on the platform, it affects all the users. This is one of the primary reasons why Apple is facing an anti-trust case against it. That said, a new change is on its way to the App Store for certain countries as a result of new taxes and foreign exchange rates.

The change we are talking about is the increase in prices of apps and games on the App Store as well as in-app purchases for the following countries.

• Brazil
• Colombia
• India
• Indonesia
• Russia
• South Africa

In India, price is being hiked due to the new equalization levy of 2%, in addition to the existing 18% GST (Goods & Services Tax). Whereas, in Indonesia, the changes are being made as a result of the new 10 % value-added tax for developers based outside of the country.

It is worth noting that the new changes will not affect auto-renewable subscriptions. Additionally, Apple also mentions that prices will be adjusted in Iceland and Albania as well. However, it is not sure if the final price will increase or decrease in these countries.

The new prices for apps and games on the Apple Apple store as well as in-app purchases will be rolled out in the coming days.

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(Source / Via)

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India is planning on launching its very own app store that will act as an alternative to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. This move arrives to boost the country’s self reliance.

The current Modi government might seek to ramp up its Mobile Seva App Store as reported by the local news agencies. An ETNow report quoted the government stating that “Android has a 97% market share in India. So, we should intervene and handhold Indian startups.” Furthermore, the government is also considering making the app store mandatory for Android phones to arrive with this app pre-installed.

#ETNOWExclusive | #Aatmanirbhar App Store Coming Soon? Sources tell ET NOW that Modi-govt is planning to launch its own App Store as an alternative to #Google & #Apple's app stores! @NayantaraRai with exclusive details!@PMOIndia @rsprasad @_DigitalIndia @GooglePlay @AppStore pic.twitter.com/eYoNVsdcC3

— ET NOW (@ETNOWlive) October 1, 2020

Notably, the news also arrived after numerous technology entrepreneurs joined hands to petition to the government for support regarding an overarching Indian digital app ecosystem to rival major tech giants like Google and Apple. In a meeting earlier this week, the ways to establish a large scale platform that hosts local apps was also discussed to break the monopoly in the current market.

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This group includes various founders, like Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Yashish Dahiya of Policybazaar, and Murugavel Janakiraman of Matrimony.com, which are a few major online platforms in the country. They will also be seeking the country’s banking regulator as well, including the finance ministry to seek redressal for Google’s recent move that aims to raise the commission on purchase made on its app store.

Murugavel Janakiraman stated that “If India has net neutrality, why can’t we have app neutrality. A body monitored by the government can ensure app neutrality, fairness, and openness.” While other notable figures also cited government support to help grow the indigenous brands and startups. It remains to be seen how Apple and Google respond to this news.

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Apple and Epic Games fought in a federal court arguing whether to reinstate the popular Fortnite game in Apple’s App Store. It is a part of the larger antitrust argument that could reshape a key part of the apps ecosystem.

Epic Games is trying to get a temporary court order that would force Apple to reinstate Fortnite on its iOS App Store. For those who are unaware, Fortnite was removed from the App Store a couple of months ago for breaching contract as the game removed Apple’s proprietary in-app payment system that takes a 30% cut from developers.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California has not given a timeframe for a decision on the injunction. She also added that the case should be tried before a jury, which could happen in July 2021.

Epic Games acknowledged that the company breached its agreement with Apple but claimed that the company was simply refusing to comply with an anti-competitive contract and that forcing a legal battle was part of the plan.

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Apple has alleged that Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is attempting to lead a developer revolt that cuts at the heart of Apple’s business model. But it’s noteworthy that this isn’t the first time developer has revolted against Apple. Spotify also battled with Apple over its policies and most recently Hey email app also faced issues with Apple.

The scrutiny of Apple is based on the fact that the company holds much power over developers in its App Store. Apple and Google are virtually controllers of access to apps through their App Store and Play Store on iOS and Android devices.

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