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  • Spotify app update allows web payments after Apple ruling

    Spotify app update allows web payments after Apple ruling

    Spotify has updated its iOS app to let users see subscription prices and buy plans directly on its website, bypassing Apple’s in-app payment system. This change comes after a U.S. court ruled that Apple must allow developers to include links to external payment options without charging fees.

    The ruling, part of a legal battle with Epic Games, found Apple in violation of a 2021 order to support fair competition. Spotify called the decision a major win for users, saying it finally lets them share clear pricing and easy payment options. The updated app, now awaiting Apple’s approval, will let users upgrade from free to premium plans, switch between plans like Individual or Family, and use various payment methods on Spotify’s website.

    Apple has agreed to update its App Store rules to follow the court’s order but plans to appeal the decision. The new guidelines allow developers like Spotify, Epic Games, and Patreon to add external payment links in their apps.

    This shift means companies no longer have to pay Apple’s 30% fee for in-app purchases, giving them more control over their revenue. For users, this could mean better deals and more flexible payment options. The change marks a big moment for app developers and could reshape how digital purchases work on iOS apps in the U.S.

    Source/Via

  • Apple’s latest earnings and challenges ahead

    Apple’s latest earnings and challenges ahead

    Apple recently shared its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, showing strong growth. The company earned $95.4 billion in revenue, a 5% increase from last year, and a profit of $24.8 billion, up 8%. Services, like streaming and subscriptions, hit a record high, growing 12%.

    iPhone sales also helped, especially in markets where Apple Intelligence is available, boosting performance. New products, like the iPhone 16e and advanced Macs and iPads, added to the success. Apple’s board approved $100 billion for stock buybacks and raised its dividend to $0.26 per share.

    However, challenges loom. CEO Tim Cook discussed tariffs, noting they had little impact this quarter due to supply chain tweaks. But for the next quarter, tariffs could add $900 million in costs if policies stay unchanged. Cook avoided commenting on price hikes, leaving consumers wondering. Apple is diversifying production, with half of U.S. iPhones now made in India and other products in Vietnam, to reduce reliance on China.

    On the legal front, Apple faces App Store changes after a court ruling favored Epic Games. The company must allow developers to link to external payment options, following a 2021 injunction. Apple disagrees with the decision, plans to appeal, and is complying for now. The outcome remains unclear, but it could affect Apple’s services business. Despite these hurdles, Apple’s focus on innovation and customer loyalty keeps its device base growing. Cook remains optimistic, hinting at exciting products ahead, like a thinner iPhone 17 Air.

    Source/Via/Via

  • Great mother’s day deals and Epic Games new iOS plan

    Great mother’s day deals and Epic Games new iOS plan

    With Mother’s Day coming up on May 11, Apple is rolling out some sweet Apple Pay deals to help you find the perfect gift. From now until May 11, you can save on flowers, jewelry, chocolates, and more at stores like 1-800-Flowers, Pandora, and Godiva. Just use Apple Pay at checkout to grab these discounts.

    Plus, AT&T has a big offer: get up to $1,000 off an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max with a qualifying trade-in and unlimited plan. They’re also throwing in a deal where you can buy two Apple Watches and save $300 if you add a new line. Check out these offers to make Mom’s day special!

    Meanwhile, Epic Games is shaking things up for iOS developers in the EU. They’re launching a program to cover Apple’s fees for developers who sell apps through the Epic Games Store. This move, led by CEO Tim Sweeney, aims to make it easier for developers to offer their apps without worrying about extra costs.

    Epic is also working on bringing Fortnite back to the U.S. App Store and has proposed a truce with Apple to smooth things over. These changes could give developers more freedom and bring more games to your iPhone. Both Apple’s Mother’s Day deals and Epic’s new plan show how companies are finding creative ways to connect with users and developers. Whether it’s saving on gifts or supporting app creators, something exciting is happening in the tech world.

    Source/Via

  • Siri’s exciting makeover awaits in iOS 19

    Siri’s exciting makeover awaits in iOS 19

    Siri, Apple’s trusty virtual assistant, is gearing up for a major transformation with iOS 19, set to debut at WWDC 2025 in June. Fresh reports hint at upgrades that promise to make Siri more intuitive and powerful, elevating the iPhone experience.

    A standout feature is Siri’s enhanced ability to connect with users on a personal level. By pulling insights from your apps—like emails or reminders—Siri will deliver tailored suggestions. For instance, it could nudge you to prepare for a meeting based on your schedule. Even better, Siri is expected to juggle complex requests effortlessly, like drafting a text and updating your to-do list in one command.

    Behind the scenes, Apple is crafting a brand-new system to power Siri, aiming for quicker and more dependable responses. This overhaul comes after some bumps in previous updates, but with new leadership, including Mike Rockwell steering the project, Apple is doubling down on perfecting Siri’s performance.

    Despite earlier hiccups with Apple Intelligence, recent polls show fans are buzzing with anticipation for these AI-driven improvements. As iOS 19’s launch approaches, excitement is building for a smarter, smoother Siri that could redefine how we interact with our devices.

  • Apple executive in hot water for false statements in Epic Games dispute

    Apple executive in hot water for false statements in Epic Games dispute

    A U.S. judge has called out an Apple executive for not telling the truth in court during a legal fight with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. On Wednesday, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Alex Roman, Apple’s vice president of finance, misled the court about a 27% fee the company charged for purchases made outside its App Store.

    This fee, a slight discount from the standard 30%, was introduced after a 2021 court ruling that forced Apple to let developers direct users to alternative payment methods. The judge described Roman’s statements as “deceptive and untruthful,” citing internal emails that revealed Apple had been planning the fee since July 2023.

    She also slammed Apple for failing to fix the false claims and for not following the court’s directive to support fair competition. The case has now been referred to a U.S. attorney to explore possible criminal contempt charges against Roman and Apple.

    Apple said it respects the court’s decision but plans to appeal, arguing it disagrees with the ruling. The court also prohibited Apple from restricting developers’ ability to promote external payment options or charging fees on those transactions.

    Epic Games cheered the outcome, with CEO Tim Sweeney confirming Fortnite’s return to the U.S. App Store next week. Sweeney also offered Apple a deal: extend these changes worldwide, and Epic will drop all related lawsuits. This decision is a big victory for Epic Games and could change how Apple manages its App Store, impacting developers and users everywhere.

  • Apple Watch helps Ohio man survive stroke during exercise

    Apple Watch helps Ohio man survive stroke during exercise

    In Toledo, Ohio, last summer, 50-year-old Derick Gant was pushing his limits, skipping rope in his front yard to set a new personal best. Feeling strong after surpassing his goal of a minute, the heart medication user suddenly collapsed, unable to move his left arm or leg. His Apple Watch, sensing the fall, flashed an alert asking if he needed assistance. Initially, Derick dismissed it, hoping he’d bounce back. But as his condition worsened, he used the watch to contact emergency services with a single tap.

    Ambulance crews, recorded by his doorbell camera, arrived swiftly and took him to the hospital. There, doctors diagnosed an ischemic stroke, a dangerous condition that cuts off brain oxygen and can lead to permanent harm. The stroke hit his motor cortex, causing his loss of limb movement. The Apple Watch’s quick fall detection and alert to his emergency contacts ensured help arrived fast, likely sparing him from severe consequences.

    Derick’s experience shows how vital wearable tech can be, even for healthy, active people. With tools like fall detection and instant SOS calls, the Apple Watch acts as a safety net in sudden health emergencies. Derick now encourages others to wear smartwatches, emphasizing how they can make a life-saving difference when time is critical.

  • Apple explores new iPhone features in iOS 18.5 beta

    Apple explores new iPhone features in iOS 18.5 beta

    Apple is working on exciting updates for the iPhone, spotted in the iOS 18.5 beta. These changes aim to make multitasking and video editing easier and more fun for users.
    One big feature is Stage Manager for iPhone.

    This tool, already popular on iPads and Macs, lets users organize apps in resizable windows. You could drag windows anywhere, even partly off-screen, and adjust their size without messing up other apps. While it’s being tested with external display support, experts think Apple might not release it widely yet.

    Another cool addition is Photographic Styles for videos. Right now, this feature lets you tweak photo colors and lighting in the Camera app. Soon, you might apply these styles to videos, giving them a unique look. Apple also plans to let third-party apps use Photographic Styles, opening up more creative options.

    Other tweaks include better Stage Manager controls, like smoother window resizing. There’s also a feature called “SuperDomino” that could show square clock widgets in StandBy mode, possibly for a rumored “HomePad” device.

  • Apple faces court ruling on App Store changes

    Apple faces court ruling on App Store changes

    In a major win for Epic Games, a U.S. judge ruled on April 30, 2025, that Apple broke a 2021 court order meant to make its App Store fairer. The order told Apple to let app developers guide users to payment options outside the App Store, avoiding Apple’s fees. Instead, Apple added new rules, like a 27% fee on outside purchases and warning screens that scared users away from external payments. The judge called this a deliberate move to keep billions in profits and said Apple’s actions were “anticompetitive.”

    The court now bans Apple from charging fees on external purchases or blocking developers from linking to other payment options. Apple can’t control how developers design these links or track user activity outside apps. The judge also referred Apple’s case to federal prosecutors for possible criminal charges, pointing to false statements made by Apple’s finance vice-president, Alex Roman. Apple plans to follow the new rules but will appeal the decision.

    This ruling could bring Fortnite back to iPhones and iPads worldwide, as Epic Games is ready to return if Apple follows the court’s orders. Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, celebrated the decision, saying it ends Apple’s high fees, similar to changes in Europe. The case shows Apple’s ongoing struggle to balance its App Store control with growing demands for fair competition.

  • Apple alerts users to spyware threats and updates Safari preview

    Apple alerts users to spyware threats and updates Safari preview

    Apple recently warned some users about possible spyware attacks sponsored by governments. The company sent notifications to people in various countries, including an Italian journalist and a Dutch activist, through iMessage and email.

    These alerts are part of Apple’s efforts to protect users from advanced cyber threats, like those from groups such as NSO Group, known for Pegasus spyware. Apple has been sending these warnings since 2021, reaching users in over 150 countries. The company doesn’t share details about the attackers to avoid helping them improve their methods. Instead, Apple encourages affected users to update their devices, use two-factor authentication, and seek help from experts like the Digital Security Helpline.

    In other news, Apple released Safari Technology Preview 218, an experimental browser update for testing new features. This version includes fixes for CSS, JavaScript, Lockdown Mode, and WebRTC, among others. It works on macOS Sonoma and macOS Sequoia and is available via the Software Update feature for those who’ve downloaded the browser from Apple’s website.

    The preview helps developers and users give feedback to improve future Safari versions. You can run it alongside the regular Safari browser, and no developer account is needed to try it. Full details are on Apple’s Safari Technology Preview website. This shows Apple’s focus on both user safety and improving its software, tackling cyber threats while refining tools like Safari for a better web experience.

  • New iPad Pro with M5 chip and Gemini widgets for iPhone

    New iPad Pro with M5 chip and Gemini widgets for iPhone

    Apple’s upcoming iPad Pro with the M5 chip, expected in fall 2025, promises a big upgrade. Last year, Apple surprised many by putting the M4 chip in the iPad Pro before Macs, which upset some Mac users who waited months for M4 MacBooks. This time, Apple plans to launch the M5 chip in MacBook Pros first, giving iPad Pro users a more powerful device later.

    The M5 iPad Pro should keep the same starting prices—$999 for the 11-inch and $1,299 for the 13-inch—despite possible chip tariff issues. This shift back to Macs debuting new chips first feels like a return to Apple’s usual strategy, making the iPad Pro a solid upgrade choice.

    Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini app for iPhone now offers handy home screen widgets. These include a square widget with four icons to open the app, use the microphone, take photos, or start Gemini Live. There’s also a rectangular widget with a search bar and options to upload files or access your gallery.

    Styled like the Google Search app, these widgets make Gemini quick to use. However, some users still want a version optimized for iPads, as Android tablets already have one. The update, version 1.2025.1662203, is rolling out now, bringing iPhone users faster access to Gemini’s AI features. This combination of Apple’s M5 iPad Pro and Google’s Gemini widgets shows how both companies are improving their devices to stay competitive and user-friendly.

    Source/Via