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Apple says Epic Games contempt ruling could cost 'substantial sums'
CNBC· 2025-05-08 02:32
Apple is asking a court to pause a recent decision in its case against Epic Games and allow the iPhone maker to once again charge a commission on in-app transactions that link out for payment. Prior to the ruling, Amazon's Kindle app told users they could not purchase a book in the iPhone app. After a recent update, the app now shows an orange "Get Book" button that links to Amazon's website. Epic also plans to introduce new software to allow app and game developers to easily link to their websites to take ...
OpenAI:微软应该少拿点收入分成,微软:给我更多技术
硬AI· 2025-05-07 10:30
图 点击 上方 硬AI 关注我们 OpenAI计划大幅削减给微软的收入分成比例,从目前的20%降至2030年的10%,微软则希望在OpenAI重组后继续使用 后者的知识产权,双方还在就Azure云服务器协议等方面进行协商。分析指出,当前一个悬而未决的问题是:当前协议是 否涵盖OpenAI尚未发布或尚未产生收入的产品。 硬·AI 作者 | 李笑寅 编辑 | 硬 AI 据报道,OpenAI和微软就现有协议的修改已争执数月 ,包括修改20%的收入分成比例,以及微软保留使 用OpenAI知识产权权利的时间。 据接近两家公司的高管向媒体透露,双方仍在就微软在重组后的营利性部门中的股份规模进行谈判。 微软 还希望获得未来继续使用OpenAI技术的保证。 OpenAI寻求削减微软"分成",重组计划引发权力博弈? 据媒体周二报道,在OpenAI推进公司重组的计划中,其中一个关键部分是大幅削减与微软的收入分成比 例。 具体而言,在现有协议中,OpenAI同意在2030年之前向微软分享其20%的收入。 而OpenAI向潜在和现 有投资者表示,到2030年,它将仅与包括微软在内的商业伙伴分享10%的收入,这从某些内部文件中可以 得 ...
美国法院裁定苹果违反禁令,iOS支付或有变
21世纪经济报道· 2025-05-06 14:34
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a recent ruling by a U.S. federal judge that Apple must comply with a court order to open its App Store to external payment methods, which is expected to enhance market competition and provide developers with more options [2][4][5]. Group 1: Legal Ruling and Implications - The court found that Apple's 30% commission on App Store sales is excessively high and anti-competitive, leading to a requirement for Apple to allow external payment options [4][5]. - Apple has been accused of creating new barriers to prevent developers from communicating with other companies and guiding consumers towards alternative payment methods [4][5]. - The ruling allows developers to direct users to external payment channels, potentially reducing Apple's revenue from in-app purchases [5][6]. Group 2: Developer Reactions and Market Dynamics - Developers are expected to take advantage of the ruling, with some already launching apps that bypass Apple's commission [5][6]. - Epic Games announced it would eliminate fees for the first $1 million in revenue for developers using its platform, highlighting a shift in the competitive landscape [8][12]. - The article notes that the opening of external payment options could lead to a restructuring of the app market, with developers and third-party platforms gaining more negotiating power [12][13]. Group 3: Global Context and Future Outlook - The ruling is part of a broader trend of increasing regulatory scrutiny on major tech companies, with similar actions being taken in Europe, including a €500 million fine against Apple [12][13]. - The article suggests that the competitive dynamics between developers and platform owners like Apple and Google may shift significantly, leading to lower commission rates and more favorable terms for developers [13]. - The potential for a new balance of power in the digital marketplace is emphasized, as developers seek to attract users to alternative payment methods while ensuring service quality [10][12].
国行版苹果AI渐近 阿里百度提供支持但分工不尽相同
news flash· 2025-05-06 08:34
据知名科技记者马克·古尔曼透露, 苹果AI有望在iOS 18.6系统中首次在中国大陆启用部分功能,背后 将由 阿里巴巴和 百度提供技术支持。具体而言,百度的文心一言大模型将作为国行版苹果AI的核心云 端智能引擎;阿里负责提供审查机制,以对AI生成内容进行本地合规审核。《科创板日报》此前报道 指出,苹果还与DeepSeek进行过洽谈,尽管双方最终没有达成合作,但未来苹果将会兼容更多国产大 模型进入到iPhone当中。 ...
Apple to appeal contempt ruling over App Store after judge sided with Fortnite maker
New York Post· 2025-05-05 17:22
Core Viewpoint - Apple has filed an appeal against a US judge's ruling that mandates the company to open its App Store to increased competition, following a contempt finding related to a previous antitrust lawsuit initiated by Epic Games [1][4]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - The appeal will be submitted to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, challenging the April 30 ruling that found Apple in contempt of a 2021 injunction aimed at facilitating developers in directing consumers to cheaper non-Apple payment options [1][2]. - Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers stated that Apple willfully failed to comply with the injunction, which was intended to promote competition and consumer choice [2][5]. - The judge has referred Apple and one of its executives to federal prosecutors for a potential criminal contempt investigation, citing deliberate delays and misleading actions by Apple [4]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The ruling highlights Apple's efforts to maintain a revenue stream worth billions, which the judge claims is in direct defiance of the court's injunction [5]. - Apple imposed a new 27% fee on app developers for transactions completed outside the App Store, which was identified as a tactic to circumvent the injunction [7]. Group 3: Background of the Lawsuit - The antitrust lawsuit initiated by Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, seeks to challenge Apple's control over app transactions and distribution on its iOS operating system [6]. - The judge's order also prohibits Apple from using "scare screens" to dissuade consumers from opting for third-party payment methods [7].
Apple appeals decision that forced it to allow links to external payments in apps
TechCrunch· 2025-05-05 16:44
Core Viewpoint - Apple has filed an appeal against a court ruling that mandates the company to allow external payment mechanisms in its App Store, following a legal battle with Epic Games [1][4]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - The court, led by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, criticized Apple for not complying with previous orders and for imposing excessive requirements on app developers [3]. - Apple was accused of attempting to circumvent the court's ruling by enforcing a 27% commission on purchases made outside its App Store and requiring "scare screens" to warn consumers [2][3]. - The court has referred allegations of perjury against Apple’s VP of Finance to the U.S. Attorney's office for potential criminal contempt proceedings [3]. Group 2: Compliance and Future Actions - Following the ruling, Apple modified its App Store rules to allow U.S. developers to reference alternative payment methods, while still expressing disagreement with the court's decision [4]. - Apple plans to continue complying with the court's ruling during the appeals process, but may seek to incentivize developers to use its in-app purchase system, potentially by announcing a discounted commission at the upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference [5][7].
Will Apple's Services Momentum Be Blunted by New Epic App Store Ruling?
PYMNTS.com· 2025-05-02 22:59
Core Viewpoint - A federal judge has ruled that Apple can no longer collect commissions on transactions occurring outside the App Store, which poses a significant challenge to its high-margin services business [1][6]. Financial Impact - The immediate financial impact of the ruling is uncertain, but it introduces risks to Apple's commission-based revenue model [2][9]. - Apple's services business reported record revenues of $26.6 billion, growing by 11.6%, although this growth has slowed from 14% in the previous quarter [3][4]. Business Model Changes - The ruling stems from a prior injunction related to the Epic Games lawsuit, which required Apple to allow third-party payment links, thus affecting its ability to charge a 30% commission [6][8]. - Apple estimated that the revenue impact of moving to a no-commission model could range from hundreds of millions to billions, depending on developer adoption rates [8]. Competitive Landscape - The ruling may enable companies like Epic and Spotify to attract Apple customers to transact directly, potentially diminishing Apple's revenue from the App Store [7][8]. - In 2022, App Store developer billings reached $1.1 trillion, with over 90% of that amount going to developers without any commission paid to Apple [8]. Ongoing Legal Challenges - Apple plans to appeal the ruling, indicating that the commission-based model is facing significant uncertainty moving forward [9].
Apple approves Spotify update after being ordered to stop charging app commissions
New York Post· 2025-05-02 20:17
Core Points - Apple has approved an update for Spotify following a federal judge's order to stop charging commissions on off-app purchases, which could lead to criminal contempt proceedings against Apple [1][5][6] - The update allows Spotify users to access pricing information, links for purchases, and alternative payment options directly within the app, enhancing transparency and consumer choice [2][4][9] - This development is seen as a significant milestone for developers and entrepreneurs, promoting a more competitive environment [4] Legal Context - Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple willfully violated a 2021 injunction related to a case with Epic Games, holding the company in contempt of court [5][6] - The judge ordered Apple to cease imposing commissions on purchases made through links in iPhone apps and referred the matter to US attorneys for potential criminal contempt proceedings against Apple and its executives [6][7] - Apple's new policy introduced in 2024 allowed it to collect a 27% fee on certain purchases, which was criticized as an anticompetitive move [8]
Apple approves Spotify app update that allows U.S. users to access pricing info, external payment links
TechCrunch· 2025-05-02 13:51
Group 1 - Apple has approved Spotify's U.S. app update, allowing users to access pricing information and external payment links, following a U.S. judge's order to stop charging commissions on in-app purchases [1][4] - Spotify's spokesperson highlighted that this update represents a significant milestone for transparency and choice for U.S. consumers, enabling lower prices and more control over subscriptions [2][3] - The updated app version 9.0.40 is now available on the App Store, making Spotify one of the first major apps to implement these changes [2][3] Group 2 - The U.S. District Judge ruled that Apple violated an order to reform its App Store, indicating that Apple willfully failed to comply with the order to allow developers to direct customers to their websites for purchases [5]
Apple changes US App Store rules to let apps redirect users to their own websites for payments
TechCrunch· 2025-05-02 08:55
Core Viewpoint - Apple has updated its App Store rules in the U.S. to allow apps to link users to their own websites for purchasing subscriptions or digital goods, following a court ruling in favor of Epic Games [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Context - The lawsuit initiated by Epic Games in 2020 challenged Apple's control over in-app transactions, leading to a 2021 injunction that required Apple to provide developers with options to redirect users to their own websites to avoid a 30% commission [3]. - After failing to appeal the injunction, Apple began allowing apps to link to external payment methods but still charged a 27% commission and implemented "scare screens" [4]. Group 2: Compliance and Reactions - Following the recent ruling, Apple must eliminate the "scare screens" and has already removed guidelines regarding the language used in these screens and links [4]. - Apple expressed its disagreement with the court's decision, stating it will comply with the order while planning to appeal [7]. - Spotify has taken advantage of the new rules by submitting an app version that includes links for users to purchase subscriptions externally [7].