Tag: updates

Logic Pro updates bring powerful new tools for music-makers

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date May 7, 2024
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Upgraded versions of Logic Pro for iPad and Mac will give musicians and music producers new tools for crafting killer tracks.

New features in Apple’s pro audio software — Logic Pro for iPad 2 and Logic Pro for Mac 11 — include:

Session Players, which puts virtual musicians in the mix.
Stem Splitter, which producers extract drums, bass, vocals and other instruments from audio files.
ChromaGlow, a processing tool designed to bring analog “warmth” to digital tracks.

“Logic Pro for iPad turns things up for music producers,” said Will Hui, Apple’s product manager for creative apps, in a prerecorded video Tuesday. “Designed for everyone from emerging to established artists, Logic Pro for iPad has delivered the entire studio experience with the simplicity of touch. Logic Pro 2 is so exciting — and it’s smarter than ever.”

Logic Pro 2 for iPad and Logic Pro 11 for Mac

The announcement came during Apple’s iPad-focused “Let Loose” event. During the streamed product launch, which the company touted as “the biggest day for iPad since its introduction,” Apple unveiled next-gen iPad Pros powered by a new M4 chip as well as new iPad Air models, an updated Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro stylus.

Logic Pro for iPad 2 and Logic Pro for Mac 11 build on Apple’s foundation of pro-level software for creatives. And, like everything Apple announces these days, they emphasize the power of AI that’s built into the company’s hardware and software.

“Logic Pro gives creatives everything they need to write, produce, and mix a great song, and our latest features take that creativity to a whole new level,” said Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple’s senior director of apps worldwide product marketing, in a press release Tuesday. “Logic Pro’s new AI-backed updates, combined with the unparalleled performance of iPad, Mac, and M-series Apple silicon, provide creative pros with the best music creation experience in the industry.”

The new features in Logic Pro aren’t exactly groundbreaking. Other software tools and plugins offer similar functionality. But by baking these into its music-making software, Apple adds even more functionality to an already-capable app.

Session Players

Apple calls Session Players “a personalized AI-driven backing band.” The feature builds on Drummer, a longstanding feature of Logic Pro, adding a virtual Bass Player and Keyboard Player to the mix.

“Session Players augment the live-playing experience while ensuring artists maintain full agency during any phase of their music-making process,” the company said.

Here’s more on the specifics of Apple’s new virtual musicians:

Bass Player was trained in collaboration with today’s best bass players using advanced AI and sampling technologies. Users can choose from eight different Bass Players and guide their performance with controls for complexity and intensity, while leveraging advanced parameters for slides, mutes, dead notes, and pickup hits. Bass Player can jam along with chord progressions, or users can choose from 100 Bass Player loops to draw new inspiration. With Chord Track, users can define and edit the chord progressions to a song, and the virtual Bass Player will follow along perfectly. Plus, with Studio Bass plug-in, users gain access to six new, meticulously recorded instruments, from acoustic to electric — all inspired by the sounds of today’s most popular bass tones and genres.

With Keyboard Player, users can choose from four different styles, designed in cooperation with top studio musicians and made to accompany a wide variety of music genres. Keyboard Player can play everything from simple block chords to chord voicing with extended harmony — with nearly endless variations. Like Bass Player, Chord Track adds and edits the chord progression of the song, so Keyboard Player follows along. Using Studio Piano plug-in, users can select additional sound-shaping options, with the ability to adjust three mic positions, pedal noise, key noise, release samples, and sympathetic resonance.

Stem Splitter

The new Stem Splitter feature in Logic Pro 2 for iPad and Logic Pro 11 for Mac give musicians and music producers a way to separate existing recordings into four basic elements: drums, bass, vocals and other instruments.

Apple describes the feature as a way to work with your own recordings. However, it should come in handy for anybody wanting to disassemble hit songs into their component parts.

Here’s Apple’s description of the feature:

Most musicians perform their best without the pressure of a formal studio session. These moments are often found in Voice Memos recordings, an old demo cassette tape, or are captured from a live show. Listening back, these recordings can reveal magical performances that are nearly impossible to re-create, making them lost to time. Now, with Stem Splitter, an artist can recover moments of inspiration from any audio file and separate nearly any mixed audio recording into four distinct parts: Drums, Bass, Vocals, and Other instruments, right on the device. With these tracks separated, it’s easy to apply effects, add new parts, or change the mix. Powered by AI and M-series Apple silicon, Stem Splitter is lightning fast.

ChromaGlow: Dial in the Perfect Tone

Apple pitches the new ChromaGlow feature in Logic Pro 2 for iPad and Logic Pro 11 for Mac as a way to “dial in the perfect tone.”

The feature attempts to make up for one of the major shortcomings of digital recording: a lack of analog “warmth” achieved by recording on actual tape and using analog equipment like tube amps.

The new Logic Pro feature will use digital models of classic music gear to produce the effect, Apple says:

ChromaGlow models the sounds produced by a blend of the world’s most revered studio hardware by leveraging AI and the power of M-series Apple silicon. Users can dial in the perfect tone with five different saturation styles to add ultrarealistic warmth, presence, and punch to any track. They can also choose from modern clean sounds, nostalgic vintage warmth, or more extreme styles that can be shaped and molded to taste.

Logic Pro 2 for iPad and Logic Pro 11 for Mac: Pricing and availability.

The new versions of Logic Pro will hit the App Store on May 13 as free updates for existing users, Apple said.

Logic Pro for Mac 11 will cost $199.99 for new users on the Mac App Store. It requires macOS Ventura 13.5 or later.

Logic Pro for iPad 2 will cost $4.99 per month or $49 per year, with a one-month free trial for new users. It requires iPadOS 17.4 or later.

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Tags bring, Logic, musicmakers, Powerful, Pro, tools, updates

Bisnis Industri

Apple embraces over-the-air iOS updates

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date May 4, 2024
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May 4: Today in Apple history: Apple embraces over-the-air iOS updates May 4, 2011: Reports circulate that Apple is negotiating with carriers to bring over-the-air updates to iOS, beginning with iOS 5.

Such a move would free iPhone owners from using iTunes to get updates for their devices. That means no more plugging an iPhone into a computer via USB to download the latest version of iOS.

The first over-the-air iOS update

As I’ve noted before in “Today in Apple history,” the process of upgrading to the latest software has gotten immeasurably easier over the years. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Mac updates came on floppy disks or, later, CD-ROMs. These demanded premium prices, even when they weren’t full releases. This also meant Apple issued fewer updates because of the physical costs involved in shipping out the software.

Right from the start, users could download iOS updates due to the operating system’s smaller file size compared to the Mac operating system. (iOS was also available for free to iPhone users. iPod touch customers paid $10 for the first couple of updates.)

Still, getting the latest iOS update via iTunes proved a cumbersome process. Android, by contrast, offered over-the-air updates as far back as February 2009.

iOS 5.0.1 brings ‘PC-free’ updates to iPhones

In the end, the rumors of OTA iOS updates circulating on May 4, 2011, turned out to be right on the money. In November, Apple issued iOS 5.0.1, its first “PC-free” update for its mobile operating system.

All in all, 2011 proved quite a significant year in terms of how Apple issued all its software updates. That year’s Mac OS X Lion marked the first time Apple didn’t initially announce physical distribution on CD or DVD-ROM of a new Mac operating system.

Instead, users downloaded the operating system at home. Alternatively, they could do it through an in-store download at an Apple retail location. Later, Apple gave users the option to buy a preloaded USB flash drive online.

These days, of course, Apple pushes out free versions of iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS, as well as firmware updates for devices like AirPods, HomePods and even battery packs.

What are your most memorable software-updating memories? Do you remember iOS before over-the-air updates? Leave your comments below.

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Tags Apple, embraces, iOS, overtheair, updates

Featured

Remedy provides development updates on Control 2, Control multiplayer and Max Payne remakes

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 30, 2024
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Remedy Entertainment has provided an update on the development of Control 2, Codename Condor, and the Max Payne 1 and 2 remakes.

In a recent shareholders report published on April 29 (via Eurogamer), Remedy confirmed that its remakes of Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2 – which were announced in 2022 – are set to move into “full production” during Q2 of 2024 after completing its production readiness stage.

Elsewhere, the studio’s upcoming co-operative multiplayer game Codename Condor, set in the Control universe, has now entered into full production. That means it has “reached the final development stages before the game is launched.”

The report indicates that, based on “wide internal playtest,” it “can see that the core loop is engaging, and the game brings a unique Remedy angle to the genre.”

As for Control 2, the development team has “focused on finalizing the proof-of-concept stage, in which the game world, game mechanics and visual targets are proven” and the studio expects the project to advance to the “production readiness stage” during Q2 2024.

Finally, Codename Kestrel – Remedy’s multiplayer action game – is still in the concept stage as the team “works to refine the game concept.”

Remedy adds that Alan Wake 2, which launched in October, has now sold 1.3 million units as of the beginning of February and at the end of the first quarter, the game has been able to recoup “significant part of the development and marketing expenses.”

Alan Wake 2 is also set to receive two paid expansions – Night Springs and The Lake House. The former is expected to release in late spring, while the latter has yet to get a release date.

In addition to game development updates, Remedy reported that Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent has now increased its shareholding in the studio to 14.80% after acquiring a 3.8% stake back in 2021.

The latest Google Pixel 8a leaks hint at its design, software updates, and AI features

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 27, 2024
No Comments on The latest Google Pixel 8a leaks hint at its design, software updates, and AI features

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It’s a pretty good bet that the Google Pixel 8a is going to break cover at Google I/O 2024 on May 14, and as the day approaches, we’ve seen a pile of new leaks turn up that give us a better idea of what we can expect from this mid-ranger.

First up is well-known tipster Evan Blass, who has posted an extensive set of pictures of the Pixel 8a. You can see the phone from the front and the back, and at an angle, and in its four rumored colors: Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white-ish), Bay (blue), and Mint (green).

These designs have previously been leaked, so there’s not a whole lot that’s new here, but it’s more evidence that this is indeed what the Pixel 8a is going to look like. The images are sharp and clear too, giving us a good look at the design.

It appears this phone will look a lot like the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7a, with the recognizable camera bar around the back. It does seem as though this year’s mid-range Pixel is going to sport a more curved frame than its immediate predecessors, however.

Pixel 8a promo image

To no one’s surprise, the Pixel 8a will feature AI (Image credit: @OnLeaks / MySmartPrice)

Onward to the next leak, and MySmartPrice has managed to get hold of a promotional video for the Pixel 8a. It was briefly available to view on YouTube before being pulled – and as YouTube is owned by Google, we’re assuming someone higher up had a word.

If you want to see some stills taken from the video before it disappeared, you can find some over at Phandroid. There’s actually not too much that’s new in this video, besides seeing the Pixel 8a itself – a lot of the AI features the clip shows off, like instant photo edits and live text translations, are already available in newer Pixel phones.

Our final leak for now is over at Android Headlines, where there are some promotional images showing off some of the capabilities of the Pixel 8a: capabilities including tools like Circle to Search. The images suggest all-day battery life, the Tensor G3 chipset, IP67 protection, and seven years of security updates.

The same source says the on-sale date for the Google Pixel 8a is going to be May 16, and there are some pictures of the official silicone cases that’ll come along with it. Expect to hear all the details about this upcoming phone on May 14.

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Tags Design, features, Google, hint, Latest, leaks, Pixel, Software, updates

Featured

Antivirus updates hijacked to drop dangerous malware

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 24, 2024
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Imagine if your antivirus program infected your computer with malware – that’s exactly what happened to some eScan antivirus users recently.

A new report from Avast has explained how a threat actor, possibly of North Korean affiliation, used a vulnerability in the antivirus program to sideload a backdoor called GuptiMiner.

Apparently, after obtaining an adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) position on the target endpoint, hackers were able to hijack the virus definition update, and have it carry malware, as well. The virus definition database would be updated as normal, but the antivirus program would also be abused to execute and run GuptiMiner.

Kimsuki attacks

The backdoor’s name might be somewhat confusing, because this isn’t a miner – a piece of malicious code that secretly mines cryptocurrency for the attackers. GuptiMiner is a backdoor that analyzes the environment to see if it’s running in a sandbox, disables various antivirus and endpoint protection tools, and drops additional payloads.

Among those additional payloads is, ironically enough, XMRig – an actual cryptocurrency miner.

Avast has attributed this attack to Kimsuki since GuptiMiner is quite similar to the Kimsuky keylogger. Furthermore, in both instances the mygamesonline[.]org domain was used.

XMRig is not the only piece of malicious code that Kimsuki dropped on their targets. There was also an improved version of the Putty Link backdoor, as well as an unnamed, “complex modular malware” that steals private keys, crypto wallet information, and more.

The targets seem to be mostly big corporations.

Since the discovery of the campaign, eScan was notified and has subsequently plugged the hole. According to BleepingComputer, the company also said it received a similar report back in 2019. A year later, it implemented a robust checking mechanism, to ensure the rejection of non-signed binaries.

In conclusion, eScan users should update their antivirus programs immediately, as Kimsuki is still going after those who didn’t patch up.

Do Samsung firmware updates cause green line display issues?

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 22, 2024
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We’re seeing new reports from people experiencing green line display issues on their Samsung Galaxy phones. Almost like clockwork, these types of reports seem to be spiking once or twice a year, and a portion of affected customers usually claim that the green line defect happened after a firmware update.

The big question now is whether or not you should be afraid of updating the firmware on your Samsung Galaxy phone. Is it safe to update your device? Here’s our take on the matter.

Can these hardware failures be caused by firmware updates?

First, what is the green line problem affecting some Samsung Galaxy phone customers? In short, it’s a display issue of yet-unknown origins that manifests as one or more vertical green lines (sometimes purple) that run across a Galaxy phone’s screen.

Many Galaxy phone models have reportedly had this issue, and, in fact, phones from other brands have experienced this as well — even iPhones equipped with OLED panels.

Is this a hardware problem? Is it an OLED-specific issue? Or can firmware updates break Galaxy phone screens in this manner?

Well, smartphones are complex devices, and unless Samsung comes out with an official statement, we can’t be too sure of anything. What we can say is that, usually, green and/or purple vertical lines on a smartphone’s display indicate a hardware failure — a bad display connection. Not just on Samsung phones but on more or less any device, from any brand, equipped with an OLED panel.

This kind of green line issue can have a few causes. For example, the OLED connection may have short-circuited because of liquid damage or other factors. Dropping the phone can also cause hardware damage and lead to these green line display issues.

There’s also the possibility of manufacturing defects — although, in most cases, it’s logical to assume that these manufacturing defects would be noticeable immediately upon powering up the phone rather than cropping up after a few years of usage.

But what about firmware updates? Can they cause these green-line issues?

Is it safe to update your Samsung phone?

Until more evidence comes to light, we can’t be too sure of the causes behind the green line display issues that affect some Galaxy (and other) phones. However, most signs point to hardware failures and human nature rather than anything that has to do with software.

Some people claim it’s all caused by firmware updates, and they’ve embraced that narrative on social media. But it’s probably wiser to avoid sensationalized social media posts when it comes to trying to gain information on any issue. It’s probably better to try to identify the same old patterns that crop up year after year and consider the few facts there are:

There’s an inherent failure rate for any consumer electronics. These green line issues happen, albeit rarely, with every phone brand. However, Samsung is the biggest phone OEM, so it will get the most attention.
These green line display issue reports are minuscule in number compared to Samsung’s phone sales figures. This issue is far from being as widespread as it may seem.
These problems appear to affect users from India the most. However, many phone models not manufactured in India seem to be affected, which suggests this isn’t a quality control issue at the Noida plant.
Green line display problems seem to affect many models across different price ranges, including Galaxy A, M, S, and Z.
Reports concerning the green line display problem often snowball once every few months. Media outlets pick up these user reports, after which more user reports crop up, and so on, creating a feedback loop.
Some social media users looking for engagement have faked green-line issues.
We shouldn’t ignore the human element, i.e., there’s always the possibility that a percentage of affected phone users have caused accidental damage to their phones, have had improper third-party screen repairs done to their phones, or are using third-party screens but omit these details in their reports. This makes it even more difficult to identify the real cause of the issue for users who should be eligible for an official explanation or free repairs.
Green lines developing after a firmware update can be a mere coincidence. There’s nothing linking these together other than conjecture.

Consider this: Samsung India now offers free limited-time display replacements for a few select affected devices.

Therefore, it’s logical to assume that the company wouldn’t go through all this trouble if it could fix these issues remotely through a firmware update. Rather, the limited-time free screen replacement program might indicate that at least a small number of these green line cases could be caused by a manufacturing defect, and Samsung might be using this limited-time program to investigate the problem further.

Likely, it’s more unsafe to never update your phone again

Samsung releases firmware updates regularly — at least once a month for flagship models — which means some of these green line display issues can coincide with firmware update releases, even if the two are completely unrelated.

By the looks of things, it’s probably safer to keep updating your phone with new security patches than it is to try to avoid the problem by never updating your phone again. There’s a reason why security patches exist.

However, there’s always that element of unknown, at least until more details come to light — if ever. So, if you want to be extra careful, you can always turn off automatic updates by opening the Settings app on your phone, accessing “Software update,” and toggling “Auto download over Wi-Fi” off. You can then try to monitor every new firmware update and wait for user reports for a few days or weeks before you update yourself.

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Tags display, firmware, Green, issues, Line, Samsung, updates

Business Industry

Software updates causing green line display issues on some Galaxy phones

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 18, 2024
No Comments on Software updates causing green line display issues on some Galaxy phones

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Many Galaxy smartphone users have started complaining of display issues after installing a software update. This issue has been present on Samsung phones for a couple of years, and the company hasn’t done anything concrete to solve it. The issue appears so common that Galaxy users fear installing a new update on their phones.

Galaxy users complain of display problems after installing a software update

Several Galaxy users have started complaining of display-related issues on their phones with OLED screens. After installing a software update, a green or pink line appeared on their phones. This issue isn’t limited to a few phones or models. It seems widespread, and we’ve seen this issue appear on the Galaxy A73, Galaxy M21, Galaxy M52 5G, Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy S22 series, and Galaxy Z Flip 3. Some users claim the issue appeared after installing One UI 6.0 or the April 2024 security update.

There could be more phones suffering from this issue, but it isn’t just Galaxy devices that are facing this issue. Even phones from Motorola, OnePlus, Vivo, and Xiaomi seem to have the same issue, but the issue appears widespread among Samsung phones.

The issue appeared after installing a software update in most of these instances. This has horrified users so much that people have started recording videos while installing new software updates on their phones. Users hope to submit their videos to after-sales service stores to prove that the issue (if it appears) wasn’t caused by physical damage.

Green line issue causing consumer distrust in Samsung

This isn’t a minor issue, as an OLED display panel is among a smartphone’s most costly components. Sometimes, the OLED panel costs almost half the phone’s original price. Even after so many complaints, Samsung doesn’t seem to have issued a wider circular to after-sales service centers to replace display panels on affected phones for free. This has caused consumers to distrust Samsung.

Whether the issue is related to the OLED panel itself, the display cable, or a glitch in the software update system, Samsung needs to issue a statement about this problem as soon as possible if it wants consumers to trust the brand again.

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Tags Causing, display, Galaxy, Green, issues, Line, phones, Software, updates

Featured

Your Sky TV just got 10 times better with a load of useful free updates

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 17, 2024
No Comments on Your Sky TV just got 10 times better with a load of useful free updates

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You may have missed the 500 updates that Sky has rolled out to its Entertainment operating system (OS) over the past three years, but several changes are rolling out today, and a ton more to follow that you won’t want to miss knowing about.

Starting today (April 17), Sky TV customers, such as those that use Sky Stream or Sky Glass, are getting five new features as part of the latest version (1.2) of its Entertainment OS that will also be available to any other streaming device or TV that uses it, including Xumo in the US and the recently launched Hubbl service in Australia.

A Sky TV with children's shows characters displayed — Not a fan of SpongeBob? Don’t worry, you’ll soon be able to choose from sports personalities and celebrity avatars too. (Image credit: Sky)

The first of these updates focuses on making personalized movie recommendations more targeted by showing movies you might like grouped by genre. This is based on your watch history across Sky apps and is something that you might have already noticed on the likes of Netflix or Prime Video.

Sticking with making the Sky viewing experience even more personal, you’ll also be able to choose from a range of popular children’s TV characters for your playlist’s avatar (see the image above).

Sky Glass and Sky Stream will also get Sky Q’s ability to fast forward and rewind a show with voice commands. Additional voice commands that work across different apps, specifically Amazon Music and Roxi, have also been added. The last update you’ll find today is that the TV shows now also have cast and crew pages to show the actors in the series you’re watching.

Five more great free updates coming in May

While some of the updates being rolled out today might not be the most attention-grabbing, a great new feature is coming with Entertainment OS 1.3. This one is specifically for Sky Glass owners who like to play video games. From May, you’ll finally get one of the best gaming TV‘s best features: Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

The feature is part of a new software stack that uses HDMI tech to work and will be accessible via a new Auto Game Mode, which will automatically be turned on when a gaming console is connected. Sky claims it will reduce latency by a massive 70%.

Sky has also made some improvements to reduce latency across its UHD and HD sports broadcasts by a whole 22 seconds, which I got to see at Sky’s Innovation Centre in the UK. You’ll be able to see for yourself when watching Sky Sports Main Events from May. Low latency will then be made available to other Sky Sports channels later this year.

A Sky TV with Barbie displayed on it

Sky has not yet confirmed whether it will drop IMDB ratings from movie descriptions entirely with the Rotten Tomatoes update. (Image credit: Sky)

Another few updates to look forward to: you’ll soon be able to use voice commands to add movies and shows to your playlist, turn on subtitles for any Ultra HD on demand content, have audio descriptions accessible across all on demand content, add your favorite actors to your playlist and see a movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score.

Sky has certainly been busy. Its subscription model might not be to everyone’s liking but it continues to prove that it’s dedicated to making its service worth paying for.

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Tags free, load, Sky, times, updates

Business Industry

Google Play Store bug makes it harder to reach your app updates

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 10, 2024
No Comments on Google Play Store bug makes it harder to reach your app updates

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Last updated: April 10th, 2024 at 04:58 UTC+02:00

The Google Play Store app on Android phones and tablets is experiencing a weird bug, which may annoy you if you frequently check for app and game updates. On some phones, the app shortcut to see your installed apps disappears in certain scenarios.

Google Play Store bug for My Apps shortcut

As spotted by 9To5Google, the Google Play Store is experiencing a bug on Android phones and tablets. The My Apps app shortcut, which is used to see currently installed apps and available app updates, sometimes disappears, making it harder to access your apps and app updates. You can see one such instance in the screenshot (on the left) below.

Google Play Store Bug My Apps Disappeared

There’s a workaround to get the My Apps shortcut back. Click on the App Info shortcut and navigate to Play Store » Storage & Cache » Clear Storage. However, with this workaround, you must again set purchase authentication. So, that’s additional work that might annoy you.

Hopefully, Google knows about this bug and will release a fix for this issue. Keep an eye out for an update to the Google Play Store app on your Galaxy smartphone or tablet. You can check for the update by navigating to Settings » About » Update Play Store.

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Tags App, bug, Google, harder, Play, Reach, Store, updates

News

Apple Updates App Store Guidelines to Permit Game Emulators, Website Links in EU Music Apps

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 5, 2024
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Apple today updated its App Store guidelines to comply with an anti-steering mandate levied by the European Commission. Music streaming apps like Spotify are now permitted to include a link or buy button that leads to a website with information about alternative music purchasing options, though this is only permitted in the European Economic Area.

iOS App Store General Feature JoeBlue

Music Streaming Services Entitlements: music streaming apps in specific regions can use Music Streaming Services Entitlements to include a link (which may take the form of a buy button) to the developer’s website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital music content or services. These entitlements also permit music streaming app developers to invite users to provide their email address for the express purpose of sending them a link to the developer’s website to purchase digital music content or services. Learn more about these entitlements.

In accordance with the entitlement agreements, the link may inform users about where and how to purchase those in-app purchase items, and the price of such items. The entitlements are limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store in specific storefronts. In all other storefronts, streaming music apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.

The European Commission in March fined Apple $2 billion for anti-competitive conduct against rival music streaming services. The fine also came with a requirement that Apple “remove the anti-steering provisions” from its App Store rules, which Apple has now done. Apple is restricted from repeating the infringement or adopting similar practices in the future, though it is worth noting that Apple plans to appeal the decision.

Apple has accused Spotify of manipulating the European Commission to get the rules of the ‌App Store‌ rewritten in its favor. “They want to use Apple’s tools and technologies, distribute on the ‌App Store‌, and benefit from the trust we’ve built with users – and pay Apple nothing for it,” Apple complained following the ruling.

In addition to updating its streaming music rules, Apple today also added games from retro game console emulator apps to the list of permitted software allowable under guideline 4.7. Guideline 4.7 permits apps to offer HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, game emulators, and plug-ins.

Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws.

Game emulators have managed to sneak onto the ‌App Store‌ several times over the years by using hidden functionality, but Apple has not explicitly permitted them until now. The rule change that allows for game emulators is worldwide, as is support for apps that offer mini apps and mini games.

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Tags App, Apple, Apps, Emulators, Game, guidelines, links, music, Permit, Store, updates, Website