Tag: apple

Spotify Protests Apple’s ‘Unacceptable’ App Store Revamp

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 28 January 2024
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Ek said that a completely new 0.50 cent Euro fee per download, every year, in perpetuity, to Apple for just allowing developers to exist on iOS “is extortion, plain and simple”….reports Asian Lite News

Swedish music streaming service Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek has criticised Apple’s proposed App Store changes ahead of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), saying the changes are “at best vague and misleading” and a “new low for the company”.

In a blog post, the Spotify CEO alleged that under the false pretense of compliance and concessions, Apple has put forward a new plan “that is a complete and total farce”.

“Essentially, the old tax was rendered unacceptable under the DMA, so they created a new one masquerading as compliance with the law,” he argued.

Earlier, Epic Games’ CEO Tim Sweeney, whose company sued Apple over antitrust practices, also condemned Apple’s plan, saying it was a case of “malicious compliance” and full of “junk fees”.

Ek said that a completely new 0.50 cent Euro fee per download, every year, in perpetuity, to Apple for just allowing developers to exist on iOS “is extortion, plain and simple”.

“If Apple’s already charging a commission of 17 per cent (and 10 per cent for recurring payments) on digital goods purchased, why would they also need to charge an annual flat fee for every user?” he argued.

“From our read of Apple’s proposal, a developer would have to pay this fee even if a user downloaded the app, never used it and forgot to delete it. This will hurt developers, potential start-ups and those offering free apps”.

Under the new terms, if Spotify stays in the App Store and wants to offer its own in-app payment, “we will pay a 17 per cent commission and a 0.50 cent Euro Core Technology Fee per install and year”.

“This equates to us being the same or worse as under the old rules. With our EU Apple install base in the 100 million user range, this new tax on downloads and updates could skyrocket our customer acquisition costs, potentially increasing them tenfold,” Ek noted.

Apple has announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union in response to the DMA coming into force in March.

For users, the changes include new controls and disclosures, and expanded protections to reduce privacy and security risks the DMA creates, the company said in a statement.

The key news is that third-party app stores will be allowed on iOS for the first time. The changes will arrive with iOS 17.4 in March.

Musk Enters Apple’s App Store Debate

X owner Elon Musk on Saturday joined the debate around Apple’s App Store changes in the European Union (EU) ahead of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in March, saying these changes are “very concerning”.

The world’s richest man reacted to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek who posted on X that Apple’s DMA announcement is, “at best vague and misleading”.

To which, Musk said these changes are very concerning. He, however, did not divulge more on the hot issue.

Apple has announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union in response to the DMA coming into force in March.

The key news is that third-party app stores will be allowed on iOS for the first time. The changes will arrive with iOS 17.4 in March.

However, the upcoming new App Store tax is the real bone of contention.

In August last year, the tech billionaire had said he will speak to Apple CEO Tim Cook to lower the App Store Tax.

“While we had previously said that X would keep nothing for the 12 months, then 10 per cent, we are amending that policy to X keeps nothing forever, until payout exceeds $100k, then 10 per cent. First 12 months is still free for all,” he posted.

He further said that Apple does take 30 per cent, “but I will speak with @tim_cook and see if that can be adjusted to be just 30 per cent of what X keeps in order to maximise what creators receive”.

ALSO READ: Intel Surpasses Expectations with $15.4 Billion Q4 Revenue

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Apple revises App Store guidelines

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 18 January 2024
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The company also mentioned that a commission will apply to digital purchases not made via the App Store…reports Asian Lite News

After a recent US Court decision, Apple has updated its App Store guidelines that allow developers to link to outside websites for in-app purchases.

“Starting today, because of a recent US Court decision, App Store Review Guideline 3.1.1 has been updated to introduce the StoreKit Purchase Link Entitlement (US), which allows apps that offer in-app purchases in the iOS or iPadOS App Store on the US storefront the ability to include a link to the developer’s website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital goods or services,” Apple said in a blogpost on Tuesday.

The company also mentioned that a commission will apply to digital purchases not made via the App Store. The commission for developers in the small business programme is set at 12 per cent, while larger developers have to pay a commission of 27 per cent.

Moreover, the tech giant said that those developers “considering using this entitlement along with in‑app purchase, which continues to be required for the purchase of digital goods and services within your app — it’s important to understand that some App Store features, such as Ask to Buy or Family Sharing, won’t be available to your customers when they make purchases on your website”.

The company also noted that it will not be able to assist customers with refunds, purchase history, subscription management, and other issues encountered when purchasing digital goods and services. Meanwhile, in a document filed with the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, medical technology company Masimo said that Apple has prepared modified Apple Watch models that “do not contain pulse oximetry functionality”.

As per the filing, the tech giant will be removing the blood oxygen app from new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sold in the US — at least temporarily, reports MacRumors.

ALSO READ-Apple Reclaims the Crown

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Apple Reclaims the Crown

Samsung, which has been the global smartphone leader for years, slipped to the second spot with 19.5 per cent market share….reports Asian Lite News

Apple became the leader of the global smartphone industry in 2023 for the first time, driven by an all-time high, 20.1 per cent market share for the company, a new report said on Tuesday.

Samsung, which has been the global smartphone leader for years, slipped to the second spot with 19.5 per cent market share.

The global smartphone shipments declined 3.2 per cent year over year to 1.17 billion units in 2023, according to the report from the International Data Corporation (IDC).

“Not only is Apple the only player in the Top 3 to show positive growth annually, but also bags the number 1 spot annually for the first time ever,” said Nabila Popal, said research director with IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team.

Apple achieved this fest despite facing increased regulatory challenges and renewed competition from Huawei in China, its largest market.

“Apple’s ongoing success and resilience is in large part due to the increasing trend of premium devices, which now represent over 20 per cent of the market, fueled by aggressive trade-in offers and interest-free financing plans,” Popal added.

The overall shift in ranking at the top of the market further highlights the intensity of competition within the smartphone market.

“Apple certainly played a part in Samsung’s drop in rank, but the overall Android space is diversifying within itself,” said Ryan Reith, group vice president with IDC’s IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. Chinese brand Xiaomi was third with 12.5 per cent share globally, said the report.

ALSO READ: Govt Imposes 50% Export Duty on Sugar-Derivative Molasses

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Apple expands ‘Find My’ network limit to 32 devices

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 16 January 2024
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Apple Arcade has added three new gaming titles and said that it will launch more than 20 major updates to popular games this month...reports Asian Lite News

Apple has quitely increased the number of items users can track using the Find My app. The company has increased the limit from 16 to 32 as of iOS 16.

This change was first spotted by X user Nicolas Alveraz (@nicolas09F9) in an Apple support document. The updated limit includes a broader range of devices than before, such as AirTags, Apple headphones (including some Beats models), newer MagSafe wallets, and even third-party Find My network accessories like e-bikes. “You can add up to 32 items in Find My.

In addition to AirTag and the third-party Find My network accessories in the Items tab, AirPods Max count as one item, AirPods and AirPods Pro (1st generation) count as two items, and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) count as three items,” Apple wrote in a support document.

Meanwhile, Apple Arcade has added three new gaming titles and said that it will launch more than 20 major updates to popular games this month. The new titles are Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom, Cornsweeper, and Blackjack by MobilityWare+. “In addition to these new games, fan-favourite titles are launching brand-new content this month. The 2023 App Store Award winner Hello Kitty Island Adventure welcomes the Year of the Dragon with its Luck & Lanterns Celebration on January 19,” Apple said.

ALSO READ-Apple Ships Rs 65,000 Cr ‘India-Made’ iPhones

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Apple Ships Rs 65,000 Cr ‘India-Made’ iPhones

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 10 January 2024
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Led by Apple, India is set to cross $15 billion (over Rs 1,24,000 crore) in mobile phone exports in the current fiscal year …reports Asian Lite News

As India doubles down on local manufacturing, Apple assembled iPhones worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore in India in 2023, according to industry data.

Industry sources told IANS on Tuesday that out of Rs 1 lakh crore, Apple exported iPhones worth approximately Rs 65,000 crore to other countries.

However, according to industry sources, the actual market value of the iPhones manufactured/assembled in India could be much higher, depending on taxes in other countries.

The Economic Times was first to report about Apple’s manufacturing data in the country. Apple’s manufacturing in India is part of the goals set under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

Riding on the local manufacturing growth, mobile phone exports from the country surpassed $9 billion (more than Rs 75,000 crore) from April to November in the current fiscal year, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).

Led by Apple, India is set to cross $15 billion (over Rs 1,24,000 crore) in mobile phone exports in the current fiscal year (FY24), posting a growth of 35 per cent over the last fiscal year.

Apple’s revenue in India hit nearly Rs 50,000 crore in FY23, with sales increasing 48 per cent to Rs 49,321 crore and net profit rising 76 per cent to Rs 2,229 crore — fastest growth of net profit for Apple in India in the last five years.

Driven by domestic manufacturing, Apple iPhones were set to garner around 7 per cent market share in the Android-dominated smartphone market in India in 2023.

The country is now the second-biggest manufacturing hub for mobile phones due to heavy investment from original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers and companies dealing in components and parts.

The mobile phone exports are anticipated to account for about 58 per cent of the overall electronics exports in FY24, compared to around 47 per cent in the previous fiscal year.

Apple is aiming to manufacture more than 50 million iPhones in India per year, as it aims to shift some of the production out from China.

The tech giant aims to achieve the target within the next two to three years, with additional tens of millions of units planned after that, according to reports. If Apple achieves this target, India would account for a quarter of global iPhone production.

China will still remain the largest iPhone producer, a Wall Street Journal report mentioned in December.

From Apple to Foxconn, the companies are aiming to leverage domestic capabilities to achieve supply chain diversification and scale up production by manufacturing in the country.

ALSO READ: Shanghai Targets 200 New Smart Factories by 2025

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US preparing to file antitrust charges against Apple

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 7 January 2024
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The investigation is looking at how Apple blocks competitors from using iMessage as well as how Apple Watch works better when used with the iPhone….reports Asian Lite News

The US Justice Department is reportedly preparing to file a federal antitrust case against Apple for keeping customers locked into its ecosystem.

According to a report in The New York Times, citing sources, the Justice Department is in “late stages” of a probe into the iPhone maker for “its control over its hardware and software to make it difficult for consumers to ditch the company’s devices.”

The investigation is looking at how Apple blocks competitors from using iMessage as well as how Apple Watch works better when used with the iPhone. Additionally, the Justice Department is reportedly examining how Apple prevents third-party providers from using iPhone-specific payment services.

“Senior leaders in the Justice Department’s antitrust division are reviewing the results of the investigation so far,” said the report, citing people aware of the matter.

“Apple has not had a final meeting with the Justice Department in which it can make its case to the government before a lawsuit is filed,” the report mentioned.

Apple was yet to comment on the report. The company has said in the past that its practices do not violate antitrust law. According to Apple, its “approach has always been to grow the pie” and “create more opportunities not just for our business, but for artists, creators, entrepreneurs and every ‘crazy one’ with a big idea.”

In 2020, Apple CEO Tim Cook said during testimony before a congressional antitrust committee that the company redefined mobile phones with “its effortless user experience, its simplicity of design and a high-quality ecosystem.”

“Apple does not have a dominant market share in any market where we do business. That is not just true for the iPhone; it is true for any product category,” Cook had said.

In February last year, The Wall Street Journal reported the DOJ was in the process of escalating its investigation into Apple. The Justice Department has already filed two anti-trust cases against Google, focused on its search and ad tech businesses. Google in December last year agreed to pay $700 million to settle antitrust charges. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued Amazon and Meta for “stifling competition”.

ALSO READ: Biden’s State of the Union Set for March 7

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Japan plans regulation to curb Google, Apple app stores

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 29 December 2023
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Apple App Store, Google Play

The bill would focus on four areas — app stores and payments, search, browsers, and operating systems, the report mentioned…reports Asian Lite News

Japan is reportedly working on a regulation that would require Google and Apple app stores to allow third-party platforms and their billing systems.

The new regulation would ask Apple and Google to allow outside app stores and payments on their mobile operating systems, reports Nikkei Asia.

The move is aimed at curbing their monopolies in the Japanese market. According to the report, the legislation, slated to be sent to the parliament in 2024, would restrict moves by platform operators to keep users in the operators’ own ecosystems and shut out rivals.

The bill would focus on four areas — app stores and payments, search, browsers, and operating systems, the report mentioned.

The bill would empower the Japanese Fair Trade Commission to fine violators and likely only impact foreign companies, according to Nikkei Asia.

“If this is modelled on existing antitrust law, the penalties would generally amount to around 6 per cent of revenue earned from the problematic activities,” said the report.

Currently, in-app payments must go through Apple’s system, which takes a commission of up to 30 per cent. Although Google allows third-party app distribution platforms, it still requires apps to use its billing system.

ALSO READ-Ex-Japan PM Commends Global Peace Drive in Hyderabad

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Apple Joins AI Race

The company released MLX, a machine learning framework designed for efficient and flexible machine learning on Apple silicon….reports Asian Lite News

As artificial intelligence (AI) takes centre-stage across companies, Apple’s machine learning research team has released frameworks and model libraries designed to run on its silicon chips.

The company released MLX, a machine learning framework designed for efficient and flexible machine learning on Apple silicon.

“The design of MLX is inspired by frameworks like PyTorch, Jax, and ArrayFire. A noteable difference from these frameworks and MLX is the unified memory model,” according to Apple on GitHub.

“Arrays in MLX live in shared memory. Operations on MLX arrays can be performed on any of the supported device types without performing data copies. Currently supported device types are the CPU and GPU,” the Apple ML research team added.

Awni Hannun of Apple’s ML team posted on X that just in time for the holidays, “we are releasing some new software from Apple machine learning research”.

“MLX is an efficient machine learning framework specifically designed for Apple silicon (i.e. your laptop!),” Hannun said.

MLX is a NumPy-like array framework designed for efficient and flexible machine learning on Apple silicon.

“The Python API closely follows NumPy with a few exceptions. MLX also has a fully featured C++ API which closely follows the Python API,” according to the Apple ML team.

Last month, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company is investing quite a bit in AI and will do it responsibly for product enhancements over time.

Cook said that the company views AI and machine learning as fundamental technologies and they’re integral to virtually every product that they ship.

“When we shipped iOS 17, it had features like Personal Voice and Live Voicemail. AI is at the heart of these features. And then, you can go all the way to the life-saving features on the launch end of the phone like fall detection, crash detection, ECG on the watch. These would not be possible without AI,” he told analysts during the company’s earnings call.

Cook said that Apple has work going on related to AI for quite some time.

“I’m not going to get into details about what it is, because we really don’t do that. But you can bet that we’re investing, we’re investing quite a bit, we’re going to do it responsibly and you will see product advancements over time,” the Apple CEO said.

In August, Cook said the tech giant has been working on generative AI and other models for years.

iPhone 15.

Apple Prefers Indian Batteries

In an effort to diversify its global supply chain and move manufacturing out of China, Apple has informed its component suppliers of its preference to source batteries for the upcoming iPhone 16 from Indian factories, media report said on Wednesday.

According to the Financial Times, battery manufacturers, such as Desay of China, have been encouraged to establish new factories in India, while Simplo Technology, a Taiwanese battery supplier for Apple, has been asked to increase manufacturing in India for future orders.

Earlier this week, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Japanese electronic parts maker TDK Corp will manufacture lithium-ion (li-ion) battery cells for Apple iPhones in India.

“Another big win for PM @narendramodi ji’s visionary PLI scheme in shifting the mobile manufacturing ecosystem to India. TDK, a leading supplier of cells to Apple, is setting up a 180-acre facility in Manesar, Haryana to build cells for batteries which will be used in the #MadeInIndia iPhones,” he wrote on X.

Companies like Desay and Simplo package the electric cells produced by TDK and their counterparts into modules and send them to assemblers such as Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn, the report mentioned.

Foxconn plans to invest $1.54 billion in India. In a stock exchange filing, Foxconn said that the investment will help it fulfil “operational needs.”

Meanwhile, Apple has asked the Indian government to exempt its existing iPhones from the requirement of a common charging port (USB-C) for electronics devices, as the Centre evaluates the possibility of mandating a common charger for most devices.

In a meeting with the IT Ministry officials late last month, Apple told the officials that if such a rule — similar to what has been proposed by the European Union (EU) to require devices to have universal charging ports — is brought, it may hamper its domestic manufacturing plans, reliable sources told IANS.

Apple Seeks to Source iPhone 16 Batteries From India

Post author By Newsdesk
Post date 7 December 2023
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Foxconn plans to invest $1.54 billion in India. In a stock exchange filing, Foxconn said that the investment will help it fulfil “operational needs.”…reports Asian Lite News

Foxconn plans to invest $1.54 billion in India. In a stock exchange filing, Foxconn said that the investment will help it fulfil “operational needs.”

Apple joins AI race