Senators Bring Back Bill to Control App Store Supremacy in the Application Market

The App Store is once again facing examination from lawmakers in Washington. A bipartisan coalition of senators has reintroduced the 2021 Open App Markets Act, legislation designed to limit the gatekeeping authority held by Apple and Google over the so-called “mobile app economy.” Here’s their objective.

If enacted, the law would essentially compel Apple and Google (who are not explicitly mentioned in the text) to allow sideloading, endorse third-party app stores, permit alternative payment methods, and refrain from penalizing developers for informing users about better prices elsewhere.

The bill was reintroduced by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Here’s what Senator Blumenthal has to say about the situation:

“For years, Apple and Google have acted as gatekeepers, erecting anticompetitive barriers to stifle their competitors and inflate costs for consumers.”

And here’s Senator Blackburn regarding her goals with the bill’s reintroduction:

“Our bipartisan Open App Markets Act would guarantee a freer and fairer market for consumers and small businesses by fostering competition in the app arena and paving the way for more choices and innovation.”

This isn’t the first instance the bill has been proposed. The initial iteration gained some momentum a few years ago, even advancing out of committee, but it failed to reach the Senate floor. The reintroduction occurs as legal pressure on Apple continues to escalate, including a fresh chapter in the ongoing Epic v. Apple dispute, with Apple now pursuing an appeal in the Ninth Circuit.

### What the bill would accomplish

According to Senator Blackburn’s press release, if it becomes law, the Open App Markets Act would:

– Safeguard developers’ rights to inform consumers about lower prices and provide competitive pricing;
– Safeguard sideloading of applications;
– Encourage competition by opening the market to third-party app stores, emerging apps, and alternative payment systems;
– Enable developers to deliver new experiences that leverage consumer device features;
– Grant consumers enhanced control over their devices;
– Prevent app stores from discriminating against developers; and
– Create safeguards to protect consumer privacy, security, and safety.

Currently, the bill is only proposed legislation, meaning it has been presented in Congress but has not yet become law. It still requires passage through both chambers or a signature from the President.

HomePod Set to Launch Two Additional Features This Autumn with iOS 26 Upgrade

### HomePod to Receive Crossfade and Wi-Fi Settings Features

As Apple advances its HomePod and HomePod mini, the forthcoming iOS 26 update is set to bring two key features to these intelligent speakers. Although it hasn’t reached the expected level of success, Apple persists in its efforts to enhance the capabilities of its smart home devices.

#### iOS 26 New Features

Reports from Mark Gurman indicate that Apple initially aimed to debut a new product named the ‘HomePad’ this year, but this plan has been postponed until Siri’s AI improvements are completed. Nonetheless, the company is still predicted to launch the HomePod mini 2 and a new Apple TV 4K soon.

The beta iteration of HomePod 26, aligning with iOS 26, has unveiled two significant updates:

1. **Wi-Fi Network Management**: Users can now view and modify their HomePod’s Wi-Fi network straight from the settings menu. Earlier, connecting to a Wi-Fi network wasn’t particularly straightforward, as the HomePod was built to automatically sync with the same network as the user’s iPhone or iPad. This update streamlines the process, facilitating easier troubleshooting and modifications.

2. **Crossfade Feature for Apple Music**: The introduction of the Crossfade feature enables users to set transition durations between tracks, from 1 to 12 seconds, akin to the functionality already offered on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This addition is expected to enhance the listening experience for Apple Music users on the HomePod.

#### Prospects Ahead

With the expected introduction of new HomePod hardware and the HomePad, there is optimism for further enhancements to the HomePod’s features in iOS 26. The incorporation of these new attributes highlights Apple’s sustained dedication to perfecting its smart home ecosystem.

As the smart home landscape advances, users are invited to express their opinions on what extra features they would like to see in subsequent HomePod updates.

WhatsApp Launches Meta AI-Enhanced Message Summaries for Users in the United States.

**WhatsApp Unveils AI-Driven Message Summaries for Users in the U.S.**

Recently, WhatsApp has officially rolled out a new feature that leverages artificial intelligence to create summaries of unread messages for users within the United States. This update follows previous reports from WABetaInfo indicating that Meta was set to introduce such functionality.

**The Advantage of AI Summarization**

AI summarization is an impactful application of generative AI, especially advantageous for users who need to swiftly catch up on discussions without going through countless messages. The new feature enables WhatsApp users to obtain brief recaps of unread messages, simplifying the process of catching up on chats filled with memes, jokes, or extensive dialogues.

**Privacy and Security Protocols**

WhatsApp guarantees users that the summarization feature emphasizes privacy. The technology used, referred to as Private Processing, ensures that neither Meta nor WhatsApp can access users’ messages or the summaries created. The company highlights that user privacy is upheld at all times, and no one else in the conversation can see the summaries of unread messages.

**Opt-In Functionality**

Addressing privacy apprehensions, WhatsApp has made the AI message summaries optional, with the feature deactivated by default. Users are free to activate it based on their preferences and can also manage which chats qualify for AI features via Advanced Chat Privacy settings.

**Availability and Future Developments**

As of now, the AI-generated summaries are accessible only in English and strictly for users in the U.S. Nevertheless, WhatsApp has revealed intentions to broaden language and regional support later in the year, making this feature available to a wider audience.

This groundbreaking addition to WhatsApp’s array of features is anticipated to improve user experience by offering a more effective means to handle conversations, facilitating the process of staying informed without the necessity of scrolling through every message.