App Store

Apple has been hit with its fourth fine of $5.6 million for failing to comply with new App Store payment regulations in the Netherlands. In a statement, the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets says that the “revised conditions that Apple has imposed on dating-app providers are unreasonable, and create an unnecessary barrier.”

Developers reacted with astonishment and anger at Apple’s 27% commission policy as a minimal form of compliance with a new antitrust law regarding the App Store.

One leading developer described the move as ‘vile,’ while another said Apple is deliberately ensuring it would cost developers more to opt-out of Apple’s payment system than it would to remain within it …

Despite Apple’s intense lobbying efforts, the Open App Markets Act has officially passed out of the Senate Judiciary committee today. The advancement of the Open Markets Act out of committee comes after the committee passed the American Choice and Innovation Online Act just two weeks ago.

WWDC21 Scholar and iOS developer Richard Qi is releasing today ‘Log’, a clever way for iPhone users to manage multiple job applications.

South Korea has stated that it is still not satisfied with Apple’s App Store plans to comply with a new antitrust law requiring developers to be able to choose third-party payment platforms.

The regulator has also expressed concern at Google’s plans, which include just a 4% reduction in the company’s app store commission if a developer uses a different payment processor …

Apple is once again fighting against bills that try to force the company to allow distribution of iOS apps outside the App Store. This time, the company urged US lawmakers to reject an antitrust bill in the US Senate that would allow users to install any apps on iPhone and iPad.

The popular LGBTQ dating app Grindr has been pulled from the Apple App Store in China, as first reported by Bloomberg. Sources with knowledge of the situation, however, tell 9to5Mac that it wasn’t Apple who pulled the application, but rather the parent company of Grindr itself.

Fanhouse is a platform for creators that competes with OnlyFans as it lets users post photos and videos (SFW only) that can only be viewed by those who pay a monthly subscription. After criticizing App Store fees last year, Fanhouse is now raising subscription prices by 50% for iOS users as a way to cover Apple’s commission.

Fifteen years ago, Apple announced the original iPhone. The concept of apps wasn’t clear at the time, and many people thought they were better off jailbreaking their new smartphones to unlock their potential. When the App Store launched, a developer created iBeer, a way to drink alcohol from your iPhone without getting the hangover. Here’s the story about the success and forgetfulness of the app.

In response to new regulatory pressures, Apple announced earlier this month that it would allow developers of dating applications in the Netherlands to use alternative payment systems. The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets has now published its own press release, saying that Apple’s announcement “fails to satisfy” the requirement set forth by the competition commission.

After Arizona unsuccessfully tried to force Apple and Google to allow alternative payment methods in third-party apps distributed through the App Store and Google Play, Illinois is now following suit. Illinois senators have filed a bill to make both companies allow developers to use whatever payment methods they want.

A proposed new US antitrust law first proposed back in August of last year has progressed to committee stage – the next step toward becoming law. If it were passed, it would result in huge changes to the App Store.

It follows Apple being forced to allow app developers to choose third-party payment platforms in South Korea and the Netherlands – but the US bill would have a far greater impact …

In the US, PUBG’s developer sued the maker of another popular battle royale game, Free Fire. Not only that but Krafton has also named Apple and Google in the lawsuit, alleging that Apple and Google have refused to stop selling rip-off versions of its games.

Over the past year, developer Kosta Elftheriou has exposed several apps on the App Store that only exist purely to scam users. While Apple claims the App Store has “the apps you love” in a place “you can trust,” the developer has shown time and time again that this is not true.

Apple has finally announced that it will comply with a law in South Korea, requiring it to allow third-party App Store payments, some four months after the antitrust law was passed. The law also applies to Google, which is already in compliance.

As expected, the Cupertino company says that it will still take a cut of all App Store sales, though this will be at a reduced rate …

For Apple, revenue from Services like the App Store and iCloud are as important for the business as selling iPhones and Macs. Today, Apple is providing a status update on services milestones for Apple Pay, TV+, Fitness+, and more.

The Tumblr iOS app now blocks more than 400 search terms in order to reduce the risk of Apple banning it from the App Store. It follows a former Tumblr developer expressing frustration at the app review process.

Some of the terms are clearly designed to block access to porn – such as ones for sexual body parts – but others seem bizarre …