Tag: Apple App Store

  • Apple fights court’s tough App Store ruling in Epic Games dispute

    Apple fights court’s tough App Store ruling in Epic Games dispute

    Apple is pushing back against a court’s strict order in its ongoing legal clash with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. The company filed an appeal on June 24, 2025, asking the Ninth Circuit Court to overturn a decision that stops Apple from charging fees on in-app purchases made outside its App Store.

    Apple also wants a new judge if the case returns to the lower court, arguing the current judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, might not be fair due to past rulings. The fight started in 2021 when Epic won a court order allowing developers to guide users to other payment options.

    However, in April 2025, Judge Rogers found Apple didn’t follow this order and was acting unfairly by still charging a 27% fee on outside payments. She issued a stronger rule, banning Apple from collecting any fees on these transactions, calling it a punishment for not obeying the court.

    Apple says this new rule goes too far, hurts its business, and isn’t fair under California law or the U.S. Constitution. The company argues it has spent years building a safe and trusted App Store, and this order could harm users and developers.

    Epic Games, meanwhile, stayed quiet on the latest appeal. Apple’s appeal aims to protect its control over the App Store while keeping the platform secure. The outcome could shape how app stores work and affect developers and users alike.

  • Apple faces legal trouble and plans new Apple Watch Ultra 3 for 2025

    Apple faces legal trouble and plans new Apple Watch Ultra 3 for 2025

    Apple is dealing with two big news stories right now. First, a U.S. appeals court has decided that a lawsuit against Apple can move forward. This lawsuit claims that Apple has made it hard for other companies to compete with its Apple Pay system.

    The court said there is enough evidence for the case to continue, which means Apple will have to answer these claims in court. The lawsuit says Apple uses its control over iPhones and Apple Pay to keep other payment services out, which could hurt both customers and other businesses.

    At the same time, Apple is getting ready to launch the Apple Watch Ultra 3. After some rumors that Apple might skip this model, new reports say the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will come out in 2025. This new smartwatch is expected to have better features and improved performance, but details are still limited. Apple fans who were worried about missing out on a new Ultra model can now look forward to its release next year.

    In summary, Apple is facing a serious legal challenge over how it runs Apple Pay, while also planning to release a new and improved Apple Watch Ultra 3 in 2025. Both stories show that Apple is dealing with challenges but is also working on new products for its customers.

  • Texas introduces new App Store age rules as Apple faces European deadline

    Texas introduces new App Store age rules as Apple faces European deadline

    Under a new law, apps available on the App Store in Texas must ask for proof of age. Consequently, such apps have to verify the age of their users before allowing them access. Our aim is to stop children from seeing unsuitable content. In order to follow Texas law, app developers will add these age checks, and Apple will ensure they are used properly. If companies do not follow the rules, they may be fined.

    Apple has to deal with new guidelines in Europe as a result of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Big tech companies like Apple have been told by the European Union to follow these rules within the next 30 days. Users should be allowed to delete Apple-provided apps easily and Apple needs to give developers the opportunity to tell users about different ways to make payments. If Apple delays these changes, it may have to pay major penalties.

    With these changes, governments demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding and justifying the digital world for every user. The U.S. aims to defend children from threats on the internet, but the European Union wants to increase competition between companies by offering users more choices. Both Apple and app developers will have to move fast to remain in line with the new regulations.

  • Apple faces new App Store rules after losing appeal in Germany

    Apple faces new App Store rules after losing appeal in Germany

    Apple has hit a roadblock in Germany after losing its latest appeal in an ongoing antitrust battle. A new law has put the tech giant under tougher scrutiny, and now it must follow fresh rules for its App Store. Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, known as the Bundeskartellamt, has been pushing to gain the power to tell Apple how to manage its App Store. A court recently agreed, giving the regulators the green light to step in.

    How U.S. and European Laws Differ

    The way antitrust issues are handled varies between the U.S. and Europe. In both places, regulators must first show that a company is blocking fair competition. But in the U.S., they also have to prove that this behavior has directly hurt consumers—like showing people are paying more because of it.

    In Europe, it’s simpler. Regulators just need to prove that a company’s actions could harm consumers down the line. This lets them act early to stop problems before they grow. The Bundeskartellamt said Apple’s App Store setup could potentially hurt users, giving them the right to demand changes. Apple fought back, saying it doesn’t control the app market enough to be targeted by this law.

    Appeal Fails for Apple

    According to Reuters, Apple’s appeal was rejected on Tuesday. The Federal Court of Justice in Germany upheld the cartel office’s 2023 ruling, which labeled Apple as a major player that affects competition across markets. The decision ends years of back-and-forth about Apple’s power in the app world.

    Now, Germany can enforce new rules on how Apple sells iPhone apps. This loss is a big moment for the company, as it faces growing pressure to loosen its grip on the App Store. With this ruling, regulators aim to keep the app market fair and open, ensuring Apple’s policies don’t limit choices or hurt users in the long run.

  • New Update for App Store Connect: Dark mode icon and bug fixes

    New Update for App Store Connect: Dark mode icon and bug fixes

    The App Store Connect app, which helps developers manage their software on the App Store, has been updated to version 2.1. This update brings a new look with a dark mode icon, switching from the usual white background to a sleek black one.

    Here are the fixes included in this update:

    • Fixed a problem where reviews for apps only available on macOS were not showing up in the Ratings and Reviews section.
    • Corrected an issue that prevented some apps from sharing their marketing videos.
    • Fixed a glitch in the Trends section so Finance and Sales users can now see all the necessary details.
    • Other small tweaks have been made to make the app run more smoothly.

    Apple has recently added the option for dark mode icons with iOS 18. To change how your icons look, simply hold down on your Home screen, hit ‘Edit’ at the top left, then ‘Customize’, and you can choose from light, dark, automatic, or even tint the icons to your liking.