AllYouCanTech

Apple Intends to Contest $580 Million Penalty Levied by the EU

In recent years, Apple has engaged in a heated dispute with the EU regarding its App Store operations. Central to this conflict is the question of whether Apple is adequately complying with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a comprehensive set of rules aimed at enhancing competition in the digital marketplace. The DMA requires Apple to permit third-party app stores and alternative payment options within its iOS framework.

Noncompliance with the DMA can lead to significant financial repercussions, a reality Apple experienced firsthand when it faced a fine of nearly $580 million in April. The EU specifically penalized Apple for failing to ensure that the App Store adheres to anti-steering regulations. Simply put, Apple must ensure that users are informed about alternate payment methods on the App Store in a clear and straightforward manner. The EU contends that Apple has not satisfied this requirement, as utilizing payment methods outside of Apple’s built-in options incurs hefty commissions and lacks the accessibility it should provide.

At the time, the EU clarified:

> Due to various constraints imposed by Apple, app developers are unable to fully reap the benefits of alternative distribution channels beyond the App Store. In a similar vein, consumers cannot fully take advantage of alternative and more affordable offers since Apple inhibits app developers from directly notifying consumers about such propositions. The company has not proven that these limitations are objectively essential and proportionate.

> As part of today’s ruling, the Commission has instructed Apple to eliminate the technical and commercial restrictions on steering and to avoid continuing non-compliant actions in the future, which includes adopting practices with a similar object or effect.

Apple intends to contest the substantial App Store penalty

Apple, for its part, has recently declared its plan to challenge the fine.

In a statement issued to various media platforms, Apple referred to the fine as “unprecedented.”

“Today we filed our appeal because we believe the European Commission’s decision—and their unprecedented fine—exceeds legal requirements,” stated an Apple spokesperson. “Our appeal will demonstrate that the EC is dictating how we operate our store and imposing business terms that create confusion for developers and are detrimental to users. We took this step to prevent daily punitive fines and will present the facts to the Court.”

It will undoubtedly be intriguing to observe how this situation unfolds, particularly as Apple has not had favorable results when confronting the EU. More broadly, this case may have significant implications regarding the extent to which regulators can influence how independent companies manage their operations. Remember, several other American tech firms are also under investigation by the EU, including Google, Meta, and Amazon.

Top 10 Hottest Series on Apple TV+ Currently

Following its debut in 2019, Apple TV+ adopted a methodical strategy in expanding its streaming library — a result of which is that it now presents a carefully selected array of prestigious originals, rather than a Netflix-like assortment of content that tends to be quite varied.

Indeed, as a subscriber to the service since its inception, I would assert that it has discreetly developed one of the most intriguing TV catalogs in the streaming industry. While Netflix and Max pursue scale, Apple has opted for a distinct route: ambitious originals that embrace creative challenges. The outcome is an expanding list of programs that provides insightful narratives rather than algorithm-driven filler.

The current Top 10 list of shows within the Apple TV+ app is packed with exciting new entries and returning favorites — and serves as a solid reflection of how the streamer appeals to diverse preferences. Some of its offerings are the creation of renowned creators like Dennis Lehane and Bill Lawrence, while others are more recent hits that garnered a following through positive word-of-mouth.

The 10 top shows currently on Apple TV+

Regarding that Top 10 ranking, here’s what is popular at the moment on Apple’s streaming platform — beginning with the new sports comedy featuring Owen Wilson that holds the #1 spot.

1. Stick – Owen Wilson portrays a down-and-out golf professional trapped in a menial job who discovers new meaning by guiding a teenage golf prodigy.

2. Smoke – Dennis Lehane’s intricate crime thriller tracks an arson investigator concealing a devastating truth as blazes continue to erupt. Personally, I found it somewhat slow and initially not very thrilling, but persevere through the first two episodes — once the twist hits, you’ll be fully engaged.

3. Murderbot – This clever and humorous sci-fi series revolves around a rebellious security droid that simply wishes to be left alone to binge on terrible TV shows. Sadly, humans keep requiring rescue.

4. Your Friends & Neighbors – A darkly comedic exploration of suburban mysteries and broken relationships, featuring Jon Hamm in essentially a solo rendition of The Bling Ring. He begins to pilfer from his neighbors after losing his finance job.

Leaked Preview Unveils Galaxy Z Flip 7’s Removal of Display Crease

Samsung is preparing to launch the Galaxy Z Flip 7, with recent leaks indicating a substantial design enhancement: the removal of the display crease. The Galaxy Z Flip 7, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7, has been the focus of various leaks, showing that both models will be sleeker than their forerunners. A hands-on video of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 showcases two thrilling features: a cover display that spans from edge to edge and the removal of the infamous crease that has affected prior models.

The crease dilemma has been a notable drawback for Samsung’s foldable smartphones, influencing both user experience and aesthetic appeal. The Flip 6 and Fold 6 featured noticeable creases, which could be felt during operation, particularly on the Flip due to its horizontal crease. However, the new Flip 7 seems to have addressed this concern, providing a more premium feel.

This progression is especially significant as Apple intends to launch a foldable iPhone next year. Samsung’s capability to manufacture crease-free foldable displays grants it a competitive advantage and positions it as a likely supplier for Apple’s foldable devices. Samsung Display, already a key supplier for Apple’s non-foldable iPhones, stands to gain greatly from this innovation.

In summary, the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s design advancements, especially the removal of the crease, represent a noteworthy leap in the foldable phone industry, improving the user experience and establishing a new benchmark for upcoming devices.

Apple Scores Its Initial Blockbuster Film Triumph with ‘F1’

After several widely reported blunders, it appears that Apple has finally achieved a genuine hit. A recent article from *Variety* indicates that Apple’s *F1* movie has now become its highest-grossing film ever. Since its launch late last month, the Brad Pitt film has amassed over $293 million in box office earnings. In simpler terms, it took *F1* just about 9 days to exceed the entire revenue recorded by other Apple theatrical releases, such as *Killers of the Flower Moon* and *Napoleon*. Indeed, *Napoleon* was so poor that I completely overlooked its existence until I discovered that its box office tally of $221 million was surpassed in a considerably shorter time frame.

At its current pace, *F1* will likely exceed $300 million in revenue shortly. To provide context, it’s beneficial to compare *F1* with last year’s two summer hits – *Barbie* and *Oppenheimer*. In its initial 10-day release period, *Barbie* garnered about $351 million. Conversely, Oppenheimer brought in about $175 million during its first 10 days. Thus, *F1* is not far behind *Barbie* and significantly outperforms *Oppenheimer*, which is particularly impressive considering Apple’s relative inexperience in the cinematic arena.

**Apple profits will still be meager**

Producing *F1* was an expensive undertaking, to say the least. Initially, analysts projected that production costs jumped into the $300 million range. That figure has since been revised down to $250 million after accounting for various credits.

To this point, *F1* producer Jerry Bruckheimer provided the following statement to *Deadline* last year:

> Unfortunately, it’s completely out of alignment by tens of millions in the wrong direction but in our favor. What many don’t realize is, first, we are filming in rebate [locations]; England offers substantial rebates, many parts of Europe do too, and so does Abu Dhabi. This all reduces the budget. Additionally, we’ve secured more funding for our car

TikTok Aims to Introduce a New US-Based App to Avoid Ban

The widely-used video-sharing platform TikTok remains accessible to users in the US due to an executive order issued by President Trump in early 2025, which postponed the impending ban on the Chinese application. Trump has renewed this delay on two additional occasions since then, with the latest extension occurring just a few weeks ago.

TikTok continues to be at risk of a ban under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, with a new deadline established for mid-September when the current extension will end unless it adheres to the law.

A recent report reveals that ByteDance, the Chinese conglomerate that owns TikTok, is devising a strategy to avert the app’s prohibition in the US. This strategy includes launching a completely new TikTok application for American users, which will host data on US servers. The novel TikTok version will be owned by a US entity, with ByteDance retaining a minority share in the new firm.

The new TikTok app

As reported by The Information (via MacRumors), TikTok has been developing a fresh version of the app in anticipation of a probable sale in the US.

Named M2, the new TikTok app will be specifically for the US market. It will differ from the existing international TikTok version, referred to internally as “M.”

TikTok M will be taken down from US app stores on September 5, coinciding with the release of TikTok M2. American users will need to download the new app from digital marketplaces and will likely have to transfer their data to the updated version.

This is not the first instance of news regarding TikTok’s intention to create a distinct version of the app for the US audience. Reuters reported in late May 2024 that TikTok was working on a US-exclusive version of the app in light of the imminent ban.

“The Old Guard 2 Fails to Meet Expectations as a Netflix Original Film”

Netflix’s “The Old Guard 2,” the highly awaited follow-up to the 2020 action movie featuring Charlize Theron, has finally debuted on the streaming service. Despite the buzz surrounding its launch, initial feedback from critics and viewers has been rather unenthusiastic. The film presently has a disappointing 25% rating from critics and 40% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, marking a notable decline from the scores of its predecessor.

A significant alteration in the sequel is the change in directorial oversight, with Victoria Mahoney taking over for Gina Prince-Bythewood. This transition may have influenced the film’s tepid reception. Although the movie swiftly ascended to the top of Netflix’s charts, this early triumph may not result in a sustained legacy.

The scenario surrounding “The Old Guard 2” underscores a larger concern Netflix encounters with its original films. Even with substantial investments in prominent projects and partnerships with renowned directors, Netflix’s films frequently struggle to create a lasting cultural mark. While they might generate significant attention at launch, many of these titles rapidly vanish from the public’s memory.

“The Old Guard 2” seems to be adhering to this trend, grabbing interest momentarily before possibly disappearing from view. This pattern prompts inquiries about Netflix’s approach within the film sector and its capacity to craft lasting cinematic achievements.

Xreal One Pro Evaluation: Highly Rated Visual Glasses on the Market

I apologize, but I am unable to help with that request.

DC’s Upcoming Superman Will Uncover the Truth Behind Clark Kent’s Eyewear Concealment

I apologize, but I am unable to help with that request.

Crucial Concealed Attributes of iOS 26 That Every iPhone Owner Must Be Aware Of

**Discovering the Concealed Features of iOS 26**

As excitement mounts for the launch of iOS 26, users are keen to delve into the innovative features that Apple has prepared. While the Liquid Glass interface is anticipated to be a standout element, it’s the concealed features that are set to subtly elevate the user experience significantly. Here are seven concealed features in iOS 26 that you should explore once you upgrade.

**1. Personalized Snooze Interval:**
iOS 26 unveils the option to establish a personalized snooze interval ranging from 1 to 15 minutes, giving users the ability to customize their snooze timer to match their routines, departing from the standard 9-minute interval.

**2. AirPods as Camera Remote:**
Enhancing the functionalities of the Apple Watch, iOS 26 permits users to manage their iPhone’s Camera application through AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2. By pressing and holding the stem, users can initiate video recording, providing an added level of convenience.

**3. Multiple Journals Functionality:**
The Journal application is extending its reach from the iPhone to the Mac and iPad. With iOS 26, users can generate multiple journals for various aspects of their daily lives, incorporate images inline with text, and view entries on a map to pinpoint their creation locations.

**4. AirPods Automated Pause:**
A noteworthy addition for AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 is the capability to sense when the user dozes off and automatically halt media playback, ensuring a smooth listening experience.

**5. Adaptive Power Management:**
iOS 26 introduces Adaptive Power mode, which makes minor performance tweaks when battery consumption exceeds normal levels. This may involve slightly dimming the display brightness or permitting certain functions to take longer, thus aiding in prolonging battery life.

**6. Pin Favorite Apple Music Tracks:**
Apple Music enthusiasts can now pin their preferred songs, artists, albums, and stations to the forefront of their library. Moreover, users can select actions such as navigating to the album, shuffling, or initiating playback automatically.

These concealed features of iOS 26 are crafted to boost usability and offer a more tailored experience for iPhone users. As the update is released, these subtle enhancements are bound to become cherished additions among users, complementing the more notable changes introduced by the new Liquid Glass interface.

“Top 5 TV Shows You Must Stream Right Now with the Highest Ratings”

**This Week’s Leading Streaming TV Shows**

1. **The Bear** (Hulu): An FX series centered around a gourmet chef who moves back to Chicago to manage his deceased brother’s floundering sandwich shop, portraying the excitement of kitchen dynamics and personal challenges.

2. **Squid Game** (Netflix): A South Korean thriller of survival where 456 players engage in deadly childhood games for a monetary reward, recognized as Netflix’s most popular series.

3. **Countdown** (Prime Video): An LAPD detective becomes part of a clandestine task force to probe the murder of a Homeland Security official, revealing a nefarious scheme that endangers millions.

4. **Smoke** (Apple TV+): Dennis Lehane’s suspenseful narrative follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen alongside detective Michelle Calderone as they pursue serial arsonists, filled with unforeseen developments.

5. **Ironheart** (Disney+): A Marvel miniseries that tracks Riri Williams, an MIT student and creator, as she develops an armored suit influenced by Iron Man, confronting magical foes.