Technology - Google News

Apple Plans Another Tweak to Its Strict App Store Rules - The New York Times
Sony announces PlayStation showcase, promises ‘sneak peek at the future of PS5’ - The Verge
Galaxy Watch 4 update adds Samsung Health to device settings, more - 9to5Google

Apple Plans Another Tweak to Its Strict App Store Rules - The New York Times

Posted: 01 Sep 2021 07:24 PM PDT

Apple said on Wednesday that it was adjusting its App Store policies to allow certain kinds of applications to do business more directly with their customers.

Under the change, so-called reader apps, which include Netflix and Spotify, will be permitted to include a link within their apps to direct users to set up or manage their accounts on the individual company's website, rather than through the App Store.

That would let those companies avoid paying the traditional 30 percent fee that Apple charges when people make payments for things like subscriptions on the App Store. Apple had long prevented companies from steering their users to their own websites, which would have deprived it of that 30 percent cut. These reader apps "provide previously purchased content or content subscriptions for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music and video," according to the company.

Apple said the change related to an agreement with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission, which had been investigating the tech giant's App Store policies.

Phil Schiller, the Apple executive who oversees the App Store, said in a statement that the change would "help developers of reader apps make it easier for users to set up and manage their apps and services, while protecting their privacy and maintaining their trust."

The tweak will take effect early next year. Apple has been under increasing pressure for its App Store rules.

Last week, the company announced a similar change as part of a legal settlement with app makers, and said it would create a $100 million fund for small app developers. Last year, Apple halved the fee that the smallest app developers pay through the App Store.

The company is also waiting on a judge's decision in its antitrust legal battle against Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, which took Apple to court in May over claims that it abused its power over the App Store. If Epic wins, companies could avoid Apple's commissions.

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Sony announces PlayStation showcase, promises ‘sneak peek at the future of PS5’ - The Verge

Posted: 02 Sep 2021 05:51 AM PDT

Sony is announcing that it will hold a special PlayStation showcase on September 9th. The event will start at 10AM ET / 1PM PT, and will run for 40 minutes in what is being teased as "a look into the future of PS5." Sony says its showcase will include updates from its PlayStation Studios, and a look at games releasing this holiday and beyond.

Sony could be ready to launch a new PS5 system software update that it has been beta testing. The update unlocks M.2 SSD support, and also includes some UI improvements to the PS5 dashboard and 3D audio support for built-in TV speakers.

Get a sneak peek at the future of PS5, with updates from PlayStation Studios and industry-leading devs. Hope to see you there!
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 2, 2021

While there's a promise of what's next for PS5, Sony's new PlayStation VR headset won't make an appearance at the showcase. The next-gen PSVR was reportedly detailed at a developer summit recently, revealing that the headset connects to a PS5 via a single cable. The headset also includes higher-resolution OLED displays (2000 x 2040 pixels per eye)and an improved 110-degree field of view.

Sony is still promising "plenty of great PS5 games from developers large and small," and it's likely we'll get another look at Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, that was recently delayed to February 18th, 2022. Perhaps we'll also see some updates on the next-gen patch for GTA V, and some final gameplay of Bethesda's Deathloop PS5 exclusive that launches later this month.

The Verge will be covering Sony's PlayStation Showcase, so stay tuned for all the latest PS5 news.

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Galaxy Watch 4 update adds Samsung Health to device settings, more - 9to5Google

Posted: 02 Sep 2021 03:40 AM PDT

The first post-launch update is now rolling out for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic with the OTA patch, bringing Samsung Health to the settings section of the device, plus more.

Spotted by TizenHelp, firmware version R8**XXU1BUH9 is now rolling out for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic with notable changes including the Samsung Health addition in the Settings menu. The app is pre-installed, but unlike on previous generations of Tizen-powered Galaxy watches, you were unable to locate and manage specific Samsung Health metrics from within the Settings app. This update brings feature parity with older hardware in that regard.

While that is a notable tweak, you're also now able to cancel automatic workout detection thanks to a new toggle that will let you stop any detected workouts. Volume controls have also been added to the quick settings panel, helping you adjust device audio levels far more quickly and easily.

The final new addition in the ~300MB update package relates to workout and calorie tracking when in specific cycling exercises, while there are generic stability and performance-related improvements also included.

If you have grabbed the Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic, then you should be able to grab the OTA update with the new Samsung Health section in settings plus more in European regions and the US.