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Big iPhone changes coming, thanks to EU

Big iPhone changes coming, thanks to EU

European regs will remake iPhone and the App Store.

Leander Kahney
September 06, 2023

First, the European Union forced Apple to adopt USB-C to charge the iPhone.

Now, it has taken steps that will dramatically remake the iPhone and App Store.

The EU just designated iOS, the App Store and Safari as “gatekeepers” that will be required to open up under Europe’s Digital Markets Act.

That might mean Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa could replace Siri on your iPhone; sideloading of apps would be allowed; and alternative app stores could proliferate.

These changes and more have been rumored for some time, but now the EU has taken concrete steps to enforce them. See our top post for details.

Personally, I’m all for it. I think it will likely herald an exciting new era of openness that will have Steve Jobs spinning in his grave, but is really good for consumers.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Apple is reportedly developing a low-cost MacBook to compete with Chromebooks in the education market.
Sonos just upgraded its super-nice but pricey portable speaker, the Sonos Move, to add stereo sound and better battery life.
This is the craziest record player I’ve ever seen.
It doesn’t look like it from the picture, but this “dope” setup features six gaming systems, four keyboards, four mice and a stellar sound system.
One thing’s for sure, readers of this newsletter are not soccer fans (Ted Lasso notwithstanding). By a huge margin, yesterday’s poll showed you guys are not fans of Messi and the MLS.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

iOS, App Store and Safari face strict regulation after EU labels them 'gatekeepers'

The European Commission just designated the products it claims are "gatekeepers" under the Digital Markets Act. Several from Apple make the list.

Leak details iPhone 15 Pro’s camera specs

A report reveals supposedly final specifications of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro's cameras, including all planned hardware improvements.

Low-cost MacBook aimed at students supposedly in development

Apple is reportedly working on a laptop with a price low enough to compete with Chromebooks in the education market.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Get this DVD ripper for Mac on sale for just $29.99

If your closets are filled with DVDs, it might be time to digitize your collection with a lifetime license for MacX DVD Ripper Pro.

Sonos Move 2 speaker brings stereo sound, double the battery life

The new version of the company's premium portable speaker is completely revamped inside and out.

iPhone and iPad apps will go automatically into Apple Vision Pro App Store

There won't be a dearth of apps for the Vision Pro when it launches. The headset can run hundreds of thousands of iPad and iPhone apps.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Forget old-fashioned turntables -- this mini record player spins itself

The RokBlok 2.0 is a portable record player that lets you enjoy your favorite vinyl anywhere, anytime. You’ve got to see the video!

You know you want to watch this trailer for ‘The Super Models’

The new Apple TV+ trailer points out that the tight-knit foursome became "the original influencers" as fashion and culture icons.

How to save your Live Photos as a video

By selecting a group of Live Photos all taken in a burst, you can make one stitched-together video and save it to your library.

‘Severance’ fans get '8 Hour Work Day Innie Mix' of theme song

Whatever desk you're chained to, now you can play a full workday's worth of the Apple TV+ show’s eerie, piano-based theme music!

Today in Apple history: Raging success of Windows 95 makes Cupertino worry

By September 6, 1995, the newly launched Windows 95 operating system sold a massive 1.63 million copies, raising fears inside Apple.

Big-time gamer's rig doubles as dream shopping list [Setups]

Today's featured Mac Studio setup is bursting with gaming gear and killer audio. It's like a gamer's dream shopping list!

Tweetz o’ the day

— Why you should have a cat (@ShouldHaveCat)
9:00 AM • Sep 5, 2023

👉Quick Prompt Share:
Art of animals in the style of art nouveau-inspired illustrations, [ dark turquoise and light gray ] , columns and totems, naturalistic landscape backgrounds, brightly colored [ birds ], wood
Substitute your preferred color(s), and subjects:
— Heather Cooper (@HBCoop_)
12:32 AM • Sep 5, 2023

One more thing ...

❝

I was blown away [by the Lucasfilm computer division that would become Pixar], and I came back and tried to convince Sculley to buy it for Apple. But the folks running Apple weren’t interested, and they were busy kicking me out anyway.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Is the EU right to force Apple to make design changes?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Are you an MLS fan?

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