Apple(US:AAPL) 3 6 Ke·2025-06-18 12:40Core Viewpoint - Apple's recent legal setback regarding the "Apple Tax" has prompted the company to take new actions to regain developer trust and improve the App Store's functionality [1] Group 1: App Store Changes - Apple is implementing AI tagging technology in the iOS 26 beta to enhance app discoverability by extracting overlooked information from app descriptions and metadata, allowing for more precise tagging [3] - The current app discovery mechanism in the App Store is outdated, as it has shifted from being a primary promotional platform to a certification body for popular apps [5] - Developers are increasingly relying on social media and short video platforms for app promotion, leading to a decline in the App Store's role as a core distribution channel [5][8] Group 2: Developer Sentiment and Market Trends - There is a noticeable decline in developers' reliance on the App Store, with a continuous drop in the number of new apps being launched [8] - If the App Store becomes merely a download station, it could severely impact Apple's software business, especially with the potential loss of "Apple Tax" revenue [8] - Apple Search Ads is projected to contribute approximately $7 billion in advertising revenue for Apple in 2024, highlighting the importance of the App Store's advertising model [8] Group 3: Strategic Shifts - Apple is attempting to revert its App Store strategy back to a more tool-oriented approach, moving away from its previous media and community-focused strategies [10][13] - The introduction of AI tagging technology aims to attract target audiences by linking relevant tags to apps, encouraging developers to invest in Apple Search Ads [13]