adplus-dvertising
Connect with us

Tech

This Week in Apps: Antitrust investigation dubs App Store a monopoly, Microsoft adopts ‘app fairness’ rules, pandemic boosts Q3 app revenues – TechCrunch

Published

 on


Welcome back to This Week in Apps, the TechCrunch series that recaps the latest OS news, the applications they support and the money that flows through it all.

The app industry is as hot as ever, with a record 204 billion downloads and $120 billion in consumer spending in 2019. People are now spending three hours and 40 minutes per day using apps, rivaling TV. Apps aren’t just a way to pass idle hours — they’re a big business. In 2019, mobile-first companies had a combined $544 billion valuation, 6.5x higher than those without a mobile focus.

In this series, we help you keep up with the latest news from the world of apps, delivered on a weekly basis.

300x250x1

Apple declared monopoly by U.S. House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust

Apple was one of the four big tech companies the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust declared as having enjoyed monopoly power in the U.S. The report suggests that Congress make changes to break up their businesses. In Apple’s case, the company was deemed to have market power in the app distribution business, meaning its App Store. The report agrees that while the App Store provides significant benefits to both consumers and developers, Apple has also controlled the App Store in a way that allows it to create barriers to competition and exploits developer data to its advantage.

Apple responded that it “vehemently” disagrees with the report’s conclusions…”with respect to Apple.”:

Our company does not have a dominant market share in any category where we do business. From its beginnings 12 years ago with just 500 apps, we’ve built the App Store to be a safe and trusted place for users to discover and download apps and a supportive way for developers to create and sell apps globally. Hosting close to two million apps today, the App Store has delivered on that promise and met the highest standards for privacy, security and quality. The App Store has enabled new markets, new services and new products that were unimaginable a dozen years ago, and developers have been primary beneficiaries of this ecosystem. Last year in the United States alone, the App Store facilitated $138 billion in commerce with over 85% of that amount accruing solely to third-party developers. Apple’s commission rates are firmly in the mainstream of those charged by other app stores and gaming marketplaces. Competition drives innovation, and innovation has always defined us at Apple. We work tirelessly to deliver the best products to our customers, with safety and privacy at their core, and we will continue to do so.

Apple in the past year has received an increasing number of complaints from iOS app developers over its rules to include in-app purchases and to remove any mentions from their app as to where consumers could pay for a subscription outside the App Store. The company has had high-profile debacles with Basecamp’s email app Hey, Spotify, Epic Games (where it’s engaged in a lawsuit) and cloud gaming services, like xCloud and Stadia.

This week, more developer complaints also surfaced related to how Apple can abuse its power.

In one, ProtonMail’s CEO shared what it was like to work with Apple, where he compared the company’s business practices to “Mafia extortion.” The company said Apple made it add in-app purchases, even though its app had been a largely free app, like WordPress, for years. When ProtonMail alerted its customers over email, Apple threatened to remove the app and block all updates.

In another, Apple told private messaging app Telegram what’s allowed on its channels. Specifically, it wanted channels closed where Belarusian protesters were identifying members of the country’s oppressive regime.

Microsoft digs at Apple with adoption of “App Fairness” principles

Last month, a number of top app makers came together to launch the “Coalition for App Fairness,” an advocacy group fighting back at market power abuses by the tech giants, namely Apple and to some lesser extent, Google. This week Microsoft joined Apple’s critics by announcing it would adopt 10 “app fairness” principles in its own Microsoft Store for Windows 10. The company didn’t reference Apple by name, but said it had “concerns about app stores on other digital platforms.”

In a blog post, Microsoft wrote:

Windows 10 is an open platform. Unlike some other popular digital platforms, developers are free to choose how they distribute their apps. The Microsoft Store is one way. We believe that it provides significant benefits to consumers and to developers by ensuring that the available apps meet strong privacy, security and safety standards, while making them easier to find and providing additional tools and services so developers can focus on development.

The company pointed out that it allows third-party app stores, like those from Epic and Steam, on Windows. It also says users can pick their own payment method and notes that developers are allowed to distribute their apps on their own terms via the internet without restrictions. And, Microsoft stressed that it would not use its market power to “tilt the playing field to our advantage.”

Though it is admirable for Microsoft to take a stand, the company is likely more concerned with ensuring U.S. regulators don’t turn their eyes to its own storefronts as they investigate tech giants for anticompetitive behavior. In particular, it wants to avoid scrutiny of its Xbox store, which will not apply these same principles.

It’s worth noting, too, that Apple’s own desktop platform, macOS, doesn’t restrict developers from offering their apps for installation via the web, so the Microsoft Store is not the most apt comparison to what’s taking place on the iOS App Store.

Consumers spent a record $28 billion in apps in Q3

Image Credits: TechCrunch

Mobile usage continues to remain high amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted social distancing measures and lockdown policies, and has pushed consumers to connect online for work, school and socializing. This, in turn, has helped drive record spending in apps during the quarter, as well as a huge surge in time spent in apps. According to a new report from App Annie, consumers in the third quarter downloaded 33 billion new apps globally and spent a record $28 billion in apps — up 20% year-over-year. They also spent more than 180 billion collective hours each month of July, August and September 2020 using apps, an increase of 25% year-over-year.

For comparison, Sensor Tower’s Q3 report had estimated app revenue grew to over $29 billion in Q3, while it pegged new app downloads higher at 36.5 billion.

Mobile industry Lawsuits

  • TikTok vs. the U.S. government. The U.S. government on Thursday appealed the judge’s ruling that prevented the Trump administration from banning TikTok. The White House has said TikTok represents a threat to national security. Meanwhile, the app has just been banned in Pakistan.
  • Google faces antitrust lawsuit in India where it’s accused of having abused its Android OS’s position in the smart TV market.
  • Philip Shoemaker testifies in Apple vs. Epic. Shoemaker, who headed App Store Review from March 2009 to April 2016 said that the App Store had been used to protect Apple’s interests, saying that Apple had not been honest about treating all developers the same. He also said the App Store rules were arbitrary and Apple has “struggled with using the App Store as a weapon against competitors.” He also argued that Apple Arcade would violate the same policies that are keeping Stadia and Game Pass off the App Store.
  • Judge denied Epic’s request to force Apple to allow Fortnite back into the App Store. This means Fortnite will not return to the App Store before the trial begins; a court filing this week stated that the two companies will go to trial on May 3, 2021.

Platforms & Services

  • Apple extended the deadline for app updates using the UIWebView API to beyond the end of 2020. Apple designed WKWebView in 2014 to integrate web content into an app “quickly, securely, and consistently across iOS and macOS,” the company says. Its since recommended that developers adopt WKWebView instead of UIWebView and WebView — both of which were formally deprecated. Maybe Apple didn’t want any more stories about app rejections right now?
  • Apple launches new subscription server notifications for testing. The new notifications can offer real-time updates on a subscriber’s status, so developers can create customized user experiences. Initially, developers can get a notification about a subscriber who auto-renews and another that lets them be alerted to when the App Store starts asking users to agree to a new subscription price.
  • Apple Developer app now supports enrollment in the U.K. and Ireland.
  • Google hiring for Android Security team. A job posting indicates Google Play is staffing up an Android Security team that looks for vulnerabilities in Android apps, including COVID-19 apps, election apps, and those dealing in sensitive data.
  • Google Assistant can control Android apps. Google’s voice command “Hey Google” can now not just launch by also search within and perform common tasks in apps. Users can also set their own voice commands as shortcuts.
  • Android launches sound notifications. The OS can help people hard of hearing by alerting them to sounds like appliances beeping, water running, baby sounds, fire alarms, dogs barking, and knocks on the door, among others. iPhone offers a similar feature.

Trends

  • TikTok passes Instagram as second-most popular social app for U.S. teens. A new report from Piper Sandler says 34% of teens list Snapchat as their favorite social app followed by 29% picking TikTok, then 25% picking Instagram.
  • Google is latest to adopt “Stories” format. The company added Stories to its main search app on iOS and Android, featuring AMP-based visual content from a range of publishers.
  • Instagram embraces home screen customization trend with launch of custom icons. For the app’s 10th anniversary, the company added a time-traveling Stories map, anti-bullying features, and a big set of custom icons that users can easily swap to, including the classic brown instant camera icon. The app declined to talk about its user numbers or revenues, however.
  • Microsoft joins Amazon in working around App Store rules on gaming services. Microsoft gaming head Phil Spencer told employees the company is targeting 2021 for a web-browser based solution for its Xbox Game Pass streaming service. Amazon had earlier said it would bring its cloud gaming service Luna to iPhone by offering it as a web app.

Other News

  • Over 240 Android apps were caught showing “out-of-context” ads in violation of a Google Play Store policy. These ads are shown outside of the app’s container, like pop-ups or full-screen ads. Google banned this advertising type in February 2020, when more than 600 apps were found to be spamming users. (ZDNet)
  • Baidu launches a Douyin and Kuaishou rival called Kankan, which is mostly just a video search engine for the time being. The app looks a lot like Baidu’s main search app, but focuses on videos and live streaming. (SCMP)
  • Google Fi comes to more phones, including new 5G phones from Samsung and Google. (Galaxy Note20 5G, Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20 5G, Galaxy S20+ 5G, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy A71 5G, Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G) (Google)
  • Instagram Threads turns into Instagram Direct. The formerly “friends-only” messaging app now lets you use it as a direct messenger for all your IG contacts. The company plans to bring some of IG’s other new messaging features soon, meaning it would be tied to the new IG infrastructure that currently allows cross-platform messaging between IG and Facebook Messenger. But IG says Threads won’t support cross-platform messaging. We’ll see! (TechCrunch)
  • Mobile RPG Genshin Impact becomes world’s No. 2 top-grossing game in first week. The game Chinese publisher miHoYo generated $60 million across the App Store and Google Play. (Sensor Tower)
  • Spotify launches collaborative music app Soundtrap Capture. The company acquired Sountrap in 2017. The new app is meant to take the place of Voice Memo to save tracks that can then be shared with others. The app has been in beta since this spring. (TechCrunch)
  • Triller is paying for TikTok talent. The U.S.-based rival is shelling out cash, cars, fine dining and creator mansions to lure creators to its app at a time when TikTok’s U.S. future remains uncertain. The app offers a similar experience, but without support for duets or an as extensive library. A related report claims Triller inflated its user numbers in the past. (The New York Times)

Funding and M&A

  • Picker raises €1.3 million seed round. The app lets you discover and buy products recommended by people you follow. Backers in the round include Berlin’s Btov and other angels.
  • Zynga acquires game maker Rollic. Zynga completed its acquisition of hyper-casual game maker Rollic, based in Istanbul. Its titles include Go Knots 3D and Tangle Master 3D. Zynga doesn’t fully own Rollic, but has purchased 80% of the company for $180 million with additional payments to acquire the remaining portion over the next three years.
  • GoPuff raises $380 million. The Philadelphia-headquartered startup offers an app that lets you buy over-the-counter medicine, baby food and alcohol — basically, convenience store items — and have them delivered to your door in 30 minutes or less. The new round was led by Accel and D1 Capital Partners.
  • Camera app Dispo raises $4 million seed. Seven Seven Six fund, the Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian’s new venture fund, made its first investment in LA-based social media platform, Dispo. The app, previously known as David’s Disposable, was created by popular YouTuber David Dobrik and friend Natalie Mariduena. The app’s gimmick is to make you wait until the next day to see your photos, which are shared without editing.
  • Healthcare app Your.MD raises €25 million. The London-based company’s Healthily app uses A.I. to help users check symptoms before visiting a doctor. Funding was led by global health and hygiene company Reckitt Benckiser (RB).

Up Spell

Image Credits: Up Spell

Noted Apple software engineer and designer Ken Kocienda, whose work included the original iPhone and the development of touchscreen autocorrect, launched his first iOS app, a word game called Up Spell. The game challenges users to spell all the words you can in two minutes and uses a lexicon of words Kocienda built to allow for the inclusion of proper names and words with apostrophes, like S’Mores.

Bold icons

Tapping into the iOS 14 home screen redesign trend, designer Doney den Ouden released his own set of new icons for iOS devices, a bright one called “Bold,” a dark version called “Bold Dark,” and all-white background icons “Bold Light.” Designers have regularly dabbled in redesigns of the iOS interface, but the ability to now create Shortcuts to launch apps using custom icons has inspired designers to turn these side projects into a side hustle.

Google Arts & Culture

Image Credits: Google

While not a new app, the art appreciation and educational app this week introduced a new “Art Filter” that uses 3D-modelled AR filters based on iconic paintings, objects and accessories from all over the world. You can use the filter to become Van Gogh or Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits, or the famous Girl with a Pearl Earring. You can also step into history with a traditional Samurai helmet or a remarkable Ancient Egyptian necklace, Google says. The app is a free download on Android or iOS.

Harbor

Prepper app Harbor, backed by $5 million in funding, launched its emergency-preparedness app that gamifies the tasks you need to get done in order to have fully prepared for an emergency. The app determines the most likely emergencies you’d face based on your location.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

728x90x4

Source link

Continue Reading

Tech

Take-Two Interactive to Acquire 'Borderlands' Developer Gearbox From Embracer Group for $460 Million – Yahoo Canada Sports

Published

 on


Take-Two Interactive has acquired video game developer Gearbox, the maker of the “Borderlands” franchise, from Embracer Group for $460 million.

Per Take Two, the company “expects the transaction to deepen its successful relationship with Gearbox Entertainment and to provide increased financial benefits through a fully integrated operational structure.”

More from Variety

300x250x1

As part of the deal, Take-Two will acquire Gearbox IP, including “Borderlands” and “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” franchises, games published by Take-Two’s 2K Games, as well as “Homeworld,” “Risk of Rain,” “Brothers in Arms” and “Duke Nukem.”

Currently, Gearbox has six “key interactive entertainment projects in various stages of development,” per Take-Two, which includes five sequels, two from “Borderlands” and “Homeworld” universes, and at least one “exciting new intellectual property,” all of which have been acquired in the sale.

Take-Two’s purchase of Gearbox is expected to close in June, pending regulatory approval. Upon completion, Gearbox will operate as a studio within 2K, continuing to be led by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and his management team.

Former Gearbox owner Embracer, a Swedish gaming conglomerate who snapped up the rights to “Lord of the Rings” two years ago, has undergone a severe restructuring program over the past year, which has seen the company shut down or dispose of dozens of games studios and titles and lay off hundreds of staff, resulting in aftershocks that have reverberated throughout the games industry.

The sale of Gearbox marks the latest insistence of Embracer unloading assets, following the company divesting Saber Interactive.

“Our acquisition of Gearbox is an exciting moment for Take-Two and will strengthen our industry-leading creative talent and portfolio of owned intellectual property, including the iconic Borderlands franchise,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said. “This combination enhances the financial profile of our existing projects with Gearbox and unlocks the opportunity for us to drive increased long-term growth by leveraging the full resources of Take-Two across all of Gearbox’s exciting initiatives.”

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Adblock test (Why?)

728x90x4

Source link

Continue Reading

Tech

An OLED iPad Pro and the first big-screen iPad Air will reportedly arrive in May – Engadget

Published

 on


Apple will finally launch new iPads in early May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Expected are a new iPad Pro with an OLED display and a faster iPad Air, including a 12.9-inch model for the first time in that lineup. The details of the upcoming iPad models have been consistent, circulating through the rumor mill since last year.

The new iPad Pro models will reportedly add OLED displays (offering deeper blacks and richer colors) and run on the new M3 chip, already found in several Macs. The new tablets are said to launch alongside a redesigned Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Other than a white color option, the latter has remained unchanged since its arrival four years ago.

Meanwhile, the iPad Air will supposedly run on a new processor. Bloomberg didn’t specify which, but — considering the current model uses the M1, and Apple likely wants to reserve the M3 for the more expensive Pro — the M2 sounds like a safe bet. The 12.9-inch screen option would mark the first time the iPad Air line has offered a display larger than 10.9 inches. Although Apple will charge more for that model than the smaller sibling expected alongside it, that would be the cheapest way yet to get a supersized iPad screen.

300x250x1

Gurman said early this month that the new tablets would launch alongside the M3 MacBook Air, but the laptop arrived without any iPads in tow. He now reports that Apple’s release schedule was pushed back to finish working on the devices’ software and ironing out the kinks from the “complex new manufacturing techniques” they require.

Adblock test (Why?)

728x90x4

Source link

Continue Reading

Tech

Ashleigh Oakridge offers boutique-style condos with concrete construction – Vancouver Sun

Published

 on


Peterson Group’s latest project will be chock-full of amenities and have timeless interiors

Article content

It may not sound exciting to say the big selling points for a new condominium project are that it’s concrete construction and four storeys. But start thinking in terms of getting all the benefits of concrete-tower construction in a sophisticated, boutique-style building of only 34 to 35 units, chock-full of amenities, situated on a quiet, tree-lined Vancouver street and the appeal is obvious—especially to those downsizing in the neighbourhood.

Advertisement 2

Article content

“That on its own really sets it apart because if you want to be in a boutique setting, you don’t love the idea of highrises, and you want a concrete home type, there aren’t many options. It’s highly unique,” explains Barrett Sprowson, vice-president of sales and project marketing at Peterson Group, the developer of the Ashleigh Oakridge project, which will be composed of three buildings when completed.

Article content

Two of the three buildings, the Berkley and the Alma, will be constructed first, with the Cambridge following later. Each one will have its own curb appeal, but all are designed to integrate into the neighbourhood, hence the plan to maintain the existing trees. The wellness amenities of sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and fully-equipped fitness room are centrally located in the Berkley for all the residents’ use. All three buildings have their own rooftop amenities that feature an indoor-outdoor flow from an expansive entertainment and co-workspace to patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children’s play area.

The interiors at Ashleigh Oakridge will feature classic styling with design-forward touches.
The interiors at Ashleigh Oakridge will feature classic styling with design-forward touches. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

The interiors of the homes, which Sprowson says offer generous, well-laid-out floorplans, feature numerous elevated design details that complement a classic esthetic. His personal favourite is the pot filler over the gas cooktop in the kitchen. “There’s not too many times you run into that, and there’s a little feature that’s practical, helpful and useful but is also tricky and expensive to do,” he says.

Article content

Advertisement 3

Article content

The interior design team at Ste. Marie Studio framed their overall concept around the idea of classic styling accented with design-forward touches.

“We looked at it through the lens of a single-family home and wanting it to feel really timeless,” says Craig Stanghetta, founder and creative director of Ste. Marie Studio. “We don’t want it to feel that it doesn’t have a little bit of risk. There’s a little bit of risk in terms of some brushed metal accents.”

Their use of a bold marble for the kitchen backsplashes makes a dramatic visual statement, but though striking, the pattern is a classic marble, not one heavily veined, and one that would be at home in a Paris apartment or a New York brownstone, Stanghetta observes. In the larger homes, they’ve used it to wrap the islands. “They become a big feature, but in some of these other ones, we’re using the manufactured stone in those areas and letting the backsplash be the big design gesture,” Stanghetta says.

The wellness amenities will include sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and a fully-equipped fitness room.
The wellness amenities will include sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and a fully-equipped fitness room. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

In the smaller units where the backsplashes are marble, but quartz is used on the counter and island surfaces, the team introduced a dining table-island combination that works for multiple uses—kitchen prep, home office or dining—and the generous bank of wall storage available in the L-shaped configuration allowed for this unique style of island.

Advertisement 4

Article content

“I think we just acknowledged that sometimes people are prioritizing different things, and if you’re in a one-bedroom living scenario, then we want the flexibility to choose your own adventure with that piece of furniture,” Stanghetta explains.

The appliance package is Miele and features built-in coffee makers, gas ranges, speed ovens, wall ovens and, in some units, wine fridges. There are also sleek can lights over the islands and open shelving for personalizing the space. Sprowson notes that the full-height pantries also boost the kitchens’ functionality and that, though expected when downsizing from a single-family home, they’re often not an option in condo living.

“It’s also a striking kitchen. You look at the marble backsplash and the marble countertop with the waterfall edge, and you’ve got all the functionality, but it’s also, dare I say, very pretty to look at,” he says.

When complete, each building at Ashleigh Oakridge will have rooftop amenities that include an entertainment and co-workspace, patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children's play area.
When complete, each building at Ashleigh Oakridge will have rooftop amenities that include an entertainment and co-workspace, patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children’s play area. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

The bathrooms reflect that same mix of functionality and sophisticated styling, with details like flattering sconce lighting and wall-mount toilets. Stanghetta says the floating shelf under the medicine cabinet creates a “nice balance of high-functional storage but then these clean lines that also give you a more fully designed and realized space.”

Advertisement 5

Article content

He notes that the double vanities in the larger bathrooms have an oversized countertop, a beautiful detail that works with the timeless design concept: attention to detail that will last. The combination of timelessness with contemporary accents creates interiors that reflect the project’s overall vision.

The development is ideally situated to allow residents to be central to everything while enjoying a quiet location.

“This is a viable option for anyone who wants concrete, a good amount of space, decent amenities, all the walkability and proximity to Oakridge and all the cool stuff that’s on the Cambie corridor,” Stanghetta observes.

Ashleigh Oakridge

Project Address: 5080 Ash Street, Vancouver

Project Scope: A development of three, four-storey, concrete, boutique buildings offering one, two and three-bedroom homes that range from 590 to 1,800 square feet. Each building features rooftop amenities and a shared wellness and fitness centre in the Berkley building.

Developers: Peterson Group

Architects: GBL Architects

Prices: Starting in the low $800,000s

Sales centre: Ashleigh PC 2094 W 43rd Ave, Vancouver

Sales centre hours: Open daily (Except Friday), noon to 5 p.m.

Sales phone: 604-476-429

Website: ashleighoakridge.com

Occupancy date: Estimated completion summer 2028

Recommended from Editorial

  1. Hael Construction Inc., project, Stargaze, is a HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence finalist in six categories: Best New Small-Scale Home,  Best Multiplex Development, Best Custom Home: $1 Million — Under $1.5 Million, Best New Custom Kitchen: Under $175,000, Best Non-Certified High-Performance Home: New or Renovated, BC Housing Award for Excellence in Housing Solutions, plus Hael Construction is a finalist for Grand HAVAN Custom Home Builder of the Year Award.

    HAVAN announces finalists for its annual Awards for Housing Excellence

  2. This three-bedroom detached house located at 12614 Thornton Place, in  Maple Ridge, was listed for $1,298,888 and sold for $1,275,000.

    Sold (Bought): Proximity to greenbelt key to Maple Ridge home’s appeal

Article content

Comments

Join the Conversation

This Week in Flyers

Adblock test (Why?)

728x90x4

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending