U.K. authorities have launched an investigation into Apple’s App Store over concerns it has a dominant role that stifles competition and hurts consumers.

The Competition and Markets Authority said Thursday it was looking into “suspected breaches of competition law” by Apple. The announcement adds to regulatory scrutiny of the iPhone maker’s app distribution platform, which is also the subject of three antitrust probes by the European Union’s executive Commission.

Apple said the App Store is “a safe and trusted place for customers” and a “great business opportunity for developers.”

The investigation was triggered in part by complaints from app developers that Apple will only let them distribute their apps to iPhone and iPad users through the App Store. The developers also complained that the company requires any purchases of apps, add-ons, or upgrades to be made through its Apple Pay system, which charges up to 30% commission.

The watchdog said it would consider whether Apple has a “dominant position” in-app distribution for Apple devices in the U.K., and, if it does, whether the company “imposes unfair or anti-competitive terms on developers” that results in less choice or higher prices for consumers buying apps and extra.

Apple said it looked forward to explaining its App Store guidelines to the U.K. watchdog.

“We believe in thriving and competitive markets where any great idea can flourish,” the company said by email. “The App Store has been an engine of success for app developers, in part because of the rigorous standards we have in place — applied fairly and equally to all developers — to protect customers from malware and to prevent rampant data collection without their consent.”

Also  Read:

5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING GAMING MONITOR

UPCOMING MARUTI SUZUKI CARS HATCHBACKS SUVS

TOP 5 ONLINE/OFFLINE CAR ACCESSORIES SHOP IN NEPAL

TWO POSSIBLE DESIGNS FOR REALME SMARTWATCH

GOOGLE LOCATION-TRACKING TROUBLED ITS OWN ENGINEERS

HONDA GOES SMALL WITH FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC CAR

 

NFC has become a major part of our phones whether be an Android or an Apple. Where this tech is open in Android, Apple keeps it locked and only accessible by Apple Pay to tap and pay in physical stores.

Now, German parliamentary committee has voted in favor of opening up Apple’s NFC technology to other platforms. This is coming due to an amendment to an anti-money laundering law set to come into effect early next year. This law in particular will force operators of electronic money infrastructure to offer access to rivals for a reasonable fee.

Apple said “We are surprised at how suddenly this legislation was introduced,” “We fear that the draft law could be harmful to user friendliness, data protection and the security of financial information.”

If this law comes into effect, Google Pay and many bank branded app will get full access to the NFC and work without hiccups. User can choose what ever payment app they prefer.

Apple has released a new website and app that will provide a screening tool for Covid-19 (CoronaVirus) symptoms. The self-screening tool has been developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the White House-led coronavirus task force and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The app, which will be available in the app store as “COVID-19,” will ask users questions about symptoms, location and risk factors and then provide the appropriate up-to-date guidance from the CDC, White House officials said.

The Covid-19 app will also answer frequently asked questions about the coronavirus disease with official information from the CDC. The same information will be available at a website that will be accessible to the users of Windows PCs, Android phones, and other non-Apple devices.

The tool is a sort of guide on social distancing and self-isolating, how to closely monitor symptoms, recommendations on testing, and when to contact a medical provider. Apple clearly mentions that the self-screening tool is designed to be a “resource for individuals” and “does not replace instructions from healthcare providers or guidance from state and local health authorities.”

Although the website and app are designed for American users, anyone from across the world can take advantage of the self-screening coronavirus tool. Neither the app nor website requires users to sign in with an Apple ID. Apple says users’ individual responses will not be sent to Apple or any government organization.

URL: https://www.apple.com/covid19

Also Read :

TDO NEPAL LAUNCH COVID-19 SELF-SCREENING APP & WEBSITE | HOW TO USE

COVID-19 CTI LEAGUE: CYBER-SECURITY EXPERTS COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS RELATED HACKING

NAMECHEAP BLOCKS DOMAIN REGISTRATION WITH NAMES ‘CORONAVIRUS’, 'COVID' AND ‘VACCINE’

HOW TO FIX SLOW INTERNET CONNECTION?

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN TRAVELLING BY CAR DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

CORONAVIRUS- JACK MA FOUNDATION AND ALIBABA FOUNDATION DONATE MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO 10 MORE ASIAN NATIONS

JACK MA FOUNDATION PUBLISHES HANDBOOK, SHARES CHINA’S EXPERIENCE IN BATTLING COVID-19

CORONAVIRUS - FORD AND GENERAL MOTORS ATTEMPTING TO SORT THE MEDICAL SHORTAGE

 

Today, Apple launches Apple Music TV, which is exactly what it sounds like: Apple Music on television. It’s a free, curated, 24-hour live stream of popular music videos (though it’s only available to US residents); you can watch it in the browse tabs of the Apple Music app and on the Apple TV app.

Apple Music TV is interesting because it seems like a direct shot at YouTube’s dominance of the music video space. The new channel will host video premieres at noon ET every Friday — starting with Joji’s “777” and Saint Jhn’s “Gorgeous” on the 23rd — and it’ll be a home for the other original content Apple Music has created over the years, like concert films and interviews. On the 22nd, the channel will play host to Bruce Springsteen, the Boss himself, in advance of his upcoming album Letter to You with dedicated music video blocks, a live stream, and an exclusive interview with Zane Lowe.

And it feels like Apple is throwing its weight around. Today, for instance, the service is running through a countdown of the top 100 most streamed songs on Apple Music as a kickoff event. While it remains to be seen whether Apple can unseat YouTube (RIP to MTV), it’s fascinating to watch it try something new.

Source: Theverge

---

Reviews is conducting a weekly contest. Answer a simple question and get a chance to win exciting gift hampers from Aiken Care Package. Go to our Facebook page for more details or also can check the details on our Instagram page.

---

Also Read:

TOP 5 REFRIGERATORS UNDER 50000 IN NEPAL

GOOGLE MAPS UPDATE INCLUDES MORE DETAILED COLORFUL IMAGES

NTC LAUNCHES ‘HAPPY LEARNING PACK’

KTM BIKES IN NEPAL WITH FULL SPECIFICATION AND PRICE

WHAT MEDICAL DEVICES SHOULD I HAVE AT HOME

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PHONE'S BATTERY?

TIPS FOR FIRST TIME CAR BUYERS | NEW OR USED