Spotifys lead App Store rebellion

Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.

Apple just made some big changes to its controversial App Store rules — but critics argue the tech giant’s moves aren’t as open as they appear.

Heavyweights like Epic Games and Spotify are loudly gearing up for a digital showdown. Let’s investigate…

In today’s tech rundown:

• Epic, Spotify plot App Store moves after EU ruling

• New 3D printing method creates metal parts in minutes

• 8 new products

• FTC investigating tech giant’s AI investments

• Pokemon investigating Palworld for IP infringement

• Microsoft cuts jobs from gaming division

Read time: 3 minutes

TODAY’S HEADLINES

APPLE, EPIC, & SPOTIFY

😡 Epic, Spotify plot App Store moves after EU ruling

The Rundown: Epic Games is bringing Fortnite back to iPhones in Europe, with Spotify also exploring in-app purchase features following the EU’s DMA rulings forcing Apple to allow third-party app platforms.

The details:

• Apple announced it will now allow third-party app stores and payment systems (with stipulations) on the App Store in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act.

• Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney called Apple’s changes ‘hot garbage’, in an X post detailing the finer points of the changes.

• Epic intends to leverage the DMA ruling to sell Fortnite outside the Apple ecosystem via its own store and dodge its 30% cut.

• Spotify, another vocal opponent of Apple’s practices, is also planning to launch in-app purchases like subscriptions, audiobooks, and podcasts with the new changes.

Why it matters: While tech companies scramble to shift to the new DMA ruling, it sounds like Apple has still found ways around truly opening its walled garden App Store. Further legal battles will likely be needed to truly loosen the tech giant’s grip on developers.

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3D PRINTING

🦾 New 3D printing method creates metal parts in minutes

The Rundown: MIT researchers just developed a rapid 3D printing technique using liquid metal that can create large aluminum components 10 times faster than other methods.

The details:

• The new liquid metal printing approach directs molten aluminum into a bed of glass beads, which quickly harden into durable 3D structures.

• The resolution is lower than finer metal printing techniques, but speed and scale are greatly boosted.

• Other metals beyond aluminum could work with minor tweaks to the LMP process.

Why it matters: LMP's ability to quickly print strong metal pieces makes it ideal for larger structures needing fast, affordable production — and as the process improves, its transformative potential for construction and manufacturing grows.

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SNIPPETS

The FTC is investigating major cloud providers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google for their billion-dollar investments in AI startups such as OpenAI.

Meta has implemented new measures to block teens from receiving direct messages from strangers on Facebook and Instagram.

Google Pixel 9 leaks appeared online, showing broad design changes with a more iPhone-like design and a potential third telephoto lens addition.

Microsoft announced layoffs impacting approximately 1,900 employees from its gaming division, including Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and ZeniMax teams.

The Pokémon Company plans to investigate the game Palworld for potential infringement of its intellectual property rights after its notable launch and substantial sales.

Elon Musk has announced a new, more affordable Tesla EV expected to start production in late 2025 with innovative manufacturing processes.

Japan’s SLIM spacecraft successfully touched down on the moon, but landed upside down and faces issues with power generation as the country plots a recovery.

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THAT’S A WRAP

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