AllYouCanTech

**Continuing Antitrust Dispute: Epic Games vs. Apple in Japan**

The persistent antitrust struggle between Epic Games and Apple has evolved with recent events in Japan. Apple has revealed notable modifications to its App Store regulations to adhere to the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), which requires support for alternative app stores. However, the rollout of these modifications has faced criticism from both Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and the gaming community.

**Apple’s Adherence to Japanese Law**

In alignment with the MSCA, Apple has rolled out new app distribution possibilities for developers and alternative payment guidelines. In contrast to the European Union’s rules, which provide for wider access, Apple’s modifications in Japan are comparatively limited. Importantly, Apple is not obligated to allow iPhone app downloads directly from the internet, curtailing access to alternative app stores.

Apple has raised alarms about the consequences of these modifications, pointing to potential threats to user privacy and security. The company contends that the MSCA’s stipulations may result in heightened levels of malware, fraud, and scams.

**Tim Sweeney’s Reproach**

Tim Sweeney has openly condemned Apple’s strategy, asserting that the company is enforcing exorbitant fees that hinder competition. He claims that the updated conditions, which impose a 21% fee on third-party in-app payments and a 15% fee for web purchases, establish obstacles for developers and hinder a level playing field. Sweeney has remarked that under these circumstances, Epic Games’ beloved title, Fortnite, will not make its return to iOS in Japan, as the terms are deemed intolerable.

Sweeney’s allegations underscore a larger issue regarding Apple’s conduct in the application marketplace. He intends to file an official grievance with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission, aspiring to contest what he labels as anticompetitive actions.

**Legal Frameworks and Prospective Consequences**

Sweeney’s position may be reinforced by legal precedents from different jurisdictions, especially the United States. In a past verdict, a judge reprimanded Apple for failing to comply with the spirit of a court order designed to foster competition by permitting developers to link to third-party payment systems. This ongoing legal conflict emphasizes the intricacies of app store regulations and the hurdles encountered by entities like Epic Games in managing these adjustments.

As the situation unfolds, the ramifications for both Apple and Epic Games could be profound, likely affecting app store regulations and competition in regions beyond Japan. The results of these conflicts may transform the digital marketplace landscape, influencing both developers and consumers.

Apple has revealed considerable modifications to the App Store and iPhone in Japan to adhere to the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA). These modifications provide new app distribution avenues for developers and alternative payment regulations for the App Store.

In a recent statement, Apple indicated that the MSCA requirements in Japan for alternative app marketplaces and app payments might pose risks like malware, fraud, and privacy issues. Nevertheless, Apple collaborated with Japanese authorities to strike a balance that fulfills the law while safeguarding users.

### App Distribution in Japan

Developers in Japan are now able to distribute their applications through alternative app marketplaces apart from the App Store. Apple will perform a Notarization review on all applications, including automated checks and human evaluations to ensure their functionality and security.

### New Payment Options

The update brings modifications to the payment methods on the App Store:

– Developers can continue utilizing Apple In-App Purchase (IAP) as is.
– Alternative payment methods for digital goods/services within iOS applications are now allowed. Developers can:
– Provide digital goods and services via an alternative payment processor.
– Direct users to external offers/promotions through clickable links that open in a web browser.

If an application employs an alternative payment method, it must also offer Apple IAP as an option at the same time.

### New Business Terms

Apple is launching new business terms concerning App Store payments and distribution:

– **App Store Commission**: A lower commission of 10% for specific programs and 21% on transactions involving digital goods/services.
– **Apple Payment Processing Fee**: An extra 5% fee for utilizing Apple IAP.
– **Store Services Commission**: A 15% commission on transactions connected to websites, with a reduced rate for particular programs.
– **Core Technology Commission**: A 5% commission on sales of digital goods and services distributed outside the App Store.

### Kids’ Safety

Apple has instituted measures to ensure the protection of children with the new app distribution and payment methods:

– Applications categorized under Kids will not include links to external websites for transactions.
– Applications accessed by users under 18 must have a parental gate for purchases made through alternative payment processing.
– Applications aimed at users under 13 cannot link to websites for transactions.
– Apple is creating a new API for developers to facilitate parental oversight of purchases made outside of Apple IAP.

### iOS Platform Changes

With the update to iOS 26.2, iPhone users in Japan will experience new features, including:

– Default controls for navigation applications and app marketplaces can be adjusted in the Settings app.
– A new screen for selecting a browser and a search engine choice screen will be introduced.
– Developers will receive new tools, including options for utilizing alternative browser engines and an API for voice-based conversational applications to replace Siri as the default assistant.

These modifications take effect immediately with the launch of iOS 26.2. Developers can find additional information on the Apple Developer Support page and in Apple’s complete press release.

Apple is increasing the quantity of advertisements displayed in App Store search outcomes. In an update on its Apple Ads webpage, the firm stated that it will roll out additional ads “to enhance opportunities in search results” commencing next year.

### New App Store Search Ads Placements

At present, there is one ad slot at the top of search results in the App Store. For instance, when searching for “Facebook,” you might notice an ad for TikTok at the top of the results. This occurs because TikTok is targeting certain search keywords and has secured the auction for that position.

In its communication, Apple clarifies that it is introducing “more ads throughout search queries” in the App Store. These new advertisements will show up lower down in App Store search results.

Apple asserts:

> “Search is the method most individuals use to discover and download apps on the App Store, with nearly 65 percent of downloads occurring immediately after a search. To provide advertisers with greater opportunities to enhance downloads from search results, Apple Ads will launch additional ads across search queries. You don’t need to modify your campaign to qualify for any new positions. Your ad will either run in the existing spot — at the top of search results — or farther down in search results.”

Advertisers and developers won’t have the ability to choose or bid for a specific position. Rather, an ad may appear in any of the available ad locations based on factors such as the bid amount and its ranking in the auction. Furthermore, the ad’s position could differ even within the same campaign.

Billing for advertisers and developers will continue to be based on cost per tap or cost per install. When the new ad units debut in 2026, current search ad campaigns will be automatically eligible for the new spaces.

Apple elaborates that the ad format will remain consistent in any position:

> “The ad format will be the same in any position, utilizing a default product page or custom product page, along with an optional deep link. You’ll be billed as usual based on your pricing model: cost per tap or cost per install.”

Apple indicates that over 800 million users access the App Store weekly, and more than 85% of users downloaded at least one app during their last visit. The company also highlights a 60% conversion rate for ads at the top of search results and notes that nearly 65% of downloads happen immediately after a user conducts a search.

Advertisers and developers can gather more information on the Apple Ads website. The new advertisements will be available to advertisers beginning in 2026 and will be compatible with iOS and iPadOS 26.2 and later.

In the wake of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ triumph, Apple has announced the expansion of Legendary’s Monsterverse with a forthcoming spin-off series for Apple TV. The new prequel series, currently untitled, will center on Colonel Lee Shaw, played by Wyatt Russell, and will delve into a covert operation in 1984 aimed at thwarting the Soviets from unleashing a catastrophic Titan during the Cold War.

The series will be executive produced by Russell and directed by Joby Harold, who is also managing the Monsterverse on Apple TV. Harold shared his enthusiasm for broadening this legendary universe, highlighting the collaboration between Apple and Legendary.

Morgan Wandell, head of international content development for Apple TV, noted the audience’s excitement for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and the eagerness for new narratives that will enhance the bond with cherished Titans through character-focused storytelling.

Legendary’s Monsterverse is portrayed as a cross-platform narrative world where humanity faces the truth of legendary monsters. The franchise encompasses titles such as Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island, and Godzilla vs. Kong, among others. Although Apple has yet to reveal a release date for the new spin-off, it assures fans that it will bring them closer to their beloved Titans.

Apple TV is priced at $12.99 per month, offering a range of popular shows and films.

Following the announcement made yesterday regarding the impending availability of Apple Music on ChatGPT, the application is now operational. Here’s what is possible with it.

## What this is, and what this isn’t

Although many might think that this integration allows users to stream music on ChatGPT from Apple Music, that is not true; however, you can listen to samples from the tracks as they show up on ChatGPT.

This integration signifies that Apple Music subscribers will now have the capability to request ChatGPT to assemble playlists for them or search for songs, albums, and artists on Apple Music, all based on natural language exchanges with OpenAI’s LLM.

In practice, this allows Apple Music subscribers to request something along the lines of, “Make a 30-song rock and roll Christmas playlist on Apple Music, but steer clear of clichés,” or “Create Barney’s Get Psyched Mix from How I Met Your Mother,” and ChatGPT will take care of locating the songs and compiling them into a playlist, instead of the user needing to do it themselves.

You can also utilize natural language to search for songs, albums, and artists that you may not precisely know how to locate. Essentially, this means that you can prompt it to play “that Alice song from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” or “that duuuum duuuum duuuuuuuuum DU-DUUUUUM song from that classic space film.”

From enhanced discoverability to more intelligent curation, there are countless ways to make use of this integration. If you have any good ideas, please share them in the comments below.

## But how do I use it?

Here’s how to access the Apple Music app on ChatGPT:

1. Visit [https://chatgpt.com/apps](https://chatgpt.com/apps), or navigate to the Apps section on ChatGPT.
2. Click or tap on Apple Music.
3. Connect your Apple Music account to ChatGPT.

After completing that, you will be able to either start prompts with “/Apple Music” or select the Apple Music app from ChatGPT’s app options.

Alternatively, ChatGPT can automatically engage with Apple Music based on the context. This signifies that you don’t necessarily have to activate the Apple Music app or specifically mention “Apple Music” in every prompt.

Apple Music requires an active subscription. You can subscribe for $10.99 per month, with the first month free.