Apple plans to upgrade search capabilities with ‘Pegasus’

Apple is reportedly looking to integrate its "Pegasus" internal search engine into the App Store and other applications.

The report comes via Apple insider Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg.

Apple's venture into advanced search technology began with the introduction of upgrades to its Spotlight search feature in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. This enhanced feature enabled users to search for web results, documents, and surface details from...

2 October 2023 | App Stores

Apple will release iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 simultaneously

Apple is gearing up to release its annual major software updates for iPhones and iPads simultaneously this month. The news comes via Bloomberg's reputable Apple reporter, Mark Gurman.

This simultaneous release marks a departure from last year's staggered release of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16.

Gurman, known for his well-connected sources within Apple, has reported that the tech giant is on the cusp of finalising iOS 17 and iPadOS 17.

The eighth beta versions of the...

4 September 2023 | iOS

US Supreme Court upholds ‘anti-steering’ App Store rules

In a pivotal decision, the US Supreme Court has ruled that Apple can maintain its current "anti-steering" rules within the App Store while its legal feud with Epic Games continues.

The decision, reported by Bloomberg Law, marks a significant development in the ongoing clash between the two industry giants.

At the heart of the matter are Apple's anti-steering rules, which prohibit app developers from redirecting users to external purchasing platforms for digital goods,...

10 August 2023 | App Stores

Apple will require developers to explain their API use

In an effort to bolster user privacy and crack down on fingerprinting, Apple has announced that developers will soon be required to provide detailed explanations for their app's use of certain APIs before submitting them to the App Store.

The APIs in question are now classified as "required reason APIs," meaning developers must articulate the purpose of these APIs in their apps when submitting them for review. Currently, there are around 30 APIs to which the new rule...

28 July 2023 | App Stores

Developers sue Apple over ‘excessive’ App Store fees

More than 1,500 developers in the UK have banded together to sue Apple, alleging that the tech giant's App Store fees are "excessive" and harmful to both developers and consumers. 

The class-action lawsuit, led by Sean Ennis, a professor at the University of East Anglia Centre for Competition Policy and a former OECD economist, is seeking £785 million (€912 million) in compensation for the affected app creators.

At the core of the legal challenge is Apple's policy of...

25 July 2023 | App Stores

Apple patent suggests Xcode will use ML to expedite development

Apple has long championed the idea that coding should be accessible to everyone and the company is making significant strides in leveraging machine learning (ML) to expedite app development.

While the focus has largely been on their proprietary ML models rather than adopting existing solutions like ChatGPT, a newly-granted patent suggests that Apple is actively exploring the integration of ML into its software development system, particularly within Xcode.

The patent,...

28 June 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

Japan sets its sights on mobile app store monopolies

Japan has joined the growing list of nations pushing for reforms in the mobile ecosystem.

The Japanese government recently held its seventh Digital Market Competition Conference, during which a ‘Competitive Evaluation of Mobile Ecosystems’ report was presented. This report highlighted the critical role mobile ecosystems play in today's digital landscape and emphasised the need for more options and fair competition.

One of the key recommendations of the report is to...

19 June 2023 | Android

Apple hints at enabling sideloading in iOS 17

Apple execs continue to hint at enabling sideloading in iOS 17 to comply with pressure from governments, particularly the EU.

Renowned for its closed ecosystem, Apple is routinely accused of taking advantage of its market position to implement anti-competitive policies. The EU’s upcoming Digital Markets Act aims to put a stop to such practices by tech giants.

Under the EU’s act, Apple will be forced to allow third-party app stores to be “sideloaded” on its...

14 June 2023 | App Stores

Apple and Epic Games ask appeals court to reconsider antitrust case ruling

Apple and Epic Games have requested that an appeals court reconsiders its ruling in the pair’s spat over App Store practices.

The ruling, which upheld a previous order from a California federal court, was the result of a lawsuit Epic Games filed against Apple.

Epic Games accused Apple of imposing unfair requirements on software developers, including high commissions on in-app purchases. 

While the trial judge determined that Apple did not violate US...

9 June 2023 | App Stores

Apple opens ‘Activities’ sign-ups for WWDC 2023

Apple has opened sign-ups for ‘Activities’ which enable remote developers to actively participate in this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) festivities. 

Apple introduced WWDC Digital Lounges in 2021, providing developers with the opportunity to engage in online discussions with Apple engineers and designers. This year, the experience returns for WWDC23, renamed simply as Activities.

Developers can now register on the Apple Developer website to...

31 May 2023 | Developer