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A great take on Apple’s App Store plans

A great take on Apple’s App Store plans

The brains behind AltStore predicts big changes for us all.

Leander Kahney
January 31, 2024

Our lead story today is one of the best takes I’ve seen about Apple’s plans to open up the App Store in the European Union.

It comes from Riley Testut, a Texas developer behind AltStore, the original alternative app store that enables sideloading on iPhone and iPad.

Testut predicts big changes — not just for users in the EU — as well as hidden upsides, and problems that Apple still has to confront. If you’re curious how Apple’s pans will likely play out, it’s well worth a read.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Idris Elba’s thriller Hijack on Apple TV+ was a huge hit and is coming back for season two!
This is a great deal on the latest iPad Air, which is a fantastic upgrade from an older iPad.
Apple TV is an obvious choice for videoconferencing, and this new Webex app fulfills its promise by using Continuity Camera.
Do you remember Power Computing, the Mac clone-maker from the mid-1990s that brought excitement back to the Mac before Steve Jobs returned to Apple? I witnessed a near-riot at Power Computing’s booth at Macworld when reps started throwing free T-shirts into the crowd. Alas, despite great products — or, actually, because of them — the company’s days were numbered.
Ah, the serenity of this handsome setup.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Here’s a great take on Apple’s plans for opening up the App Store

Riley Testut has one of the best takes on Apple's plans to open up the App Store in the EU. He should know: Testut is behind AltStore, a hacky skunkworks project that enables sideloading on iPhone and iPad. He predicts big changes and hidden upsides for us all.

New Webex app lets you take video calls on the big screen via Apple TV 4K

With the new app, you can use Continuity Camera on iPhone or iPad to join a call with up to 25 folks on your TV.

What to expect from Apple's critical holiday quarter earnings results

Apple will reveal its earnings for the final months of 2023 on Thursday. Here's what analysts expect, and what they want to know about 2024.

How to update AirPods firmware: Everything you need to know

Apple pushed out firmware update 6A324 for AirPods Max. Here's how to make sure you've got the bug fixes.

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

Score the latest iPad Air in any configuration at $150 off

The fifth-gen iPad Air is a fantastic tablet. And right now you can get big discounts on any configuration at Best Buy.

Just drag and drop to share any file on your Mac with this app

There's a better way to share files on your Mac. Get Smmall Cloud and enjoy 50GB of storage for life, and an easier way to share those files.

Idris Elba's ‘Hijack’ is coming back for 'high octane' season 2

Apple TV+ commits itself to another run of the thriller, which proved immensely popular.

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

M1 MacBook Air falls to its lifetime low price after $249 off

A fantastic deal on Amazon takes a whopping $249 off the laptop, discounting its price to an all-time low of $749.

If you can't swing an Apple Watch, try this $40 starter device

Don't want to pay hundreds of dollars for an Apple Watch, but are curious about its benefits? Check out this $40 smartwatch.

This sleek stainless steel band makes Apple Watch luxurious

Looking for an Apple Watch band worthy of a black-tie dinner and a dip in the ocean afterward? Try the Laut Links Petite Apple Watch Band.

Today in Apple history: Mac clone-maker closes shop

On January 31, 1998, Power Computing shut down for good, bringing an ignominious end to the formerly high-flying maker of Mac clones.

Another user pares back to one great external display [Setups]

Here's another example of several we've seen popping up on social media where a dual-display user wants to simplify and focus.

Tweetz o’ the day

The feature that apple sacrificed comfort for:
— Noah Rayburn (@NoahRayburnXR)
Jan 30, 2024

this is an easy solve for the next version, throw a couple googly eye stickers in the box
— kepano (@kepano)
Jan 31, 2024

Was just curious but do not recommend
— Scott Stein 👓🎲🪄 (@jetscott)
Jan 31, 2024

With @Apple’s #EU policy updates, we’re gearing up to launch the @Setapp mobile marketplace in the EU, fulfilling a top user request.
Our aim: a fair, value-driven app ecosystem for developers of all sizes. Read @MacPaw’s full statement: macpaw.com/news/macpaws-r…
— Setapp (@Setapp)
Jan 31, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

By expecting them to do great things, you can get them to do great things. The original Mac team taught me that A-plus players like to work together, and they don’t like it if you tolerate B work. Ask any member of that Mac team. They will tell you it was worth the pain.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

What do you think of Vision Pro's EyeSight feature?

Apple says it "reveals your eyes and lets those nearby know when you’re using apps or fully immersed in an experience."

Results from yesterday’s poll: Is Ming-Chi Kuo right? Does Apple need a folding AI phone?

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