South Korea's Korea Media and Communications Commission fined Google KRW 42.9 billion ($32 million) and Apple KRW 20.81 billion ($15.6 million) for violating the Telecommunications Business Act. The regulator's investigations, begun in 2022, found both companies forced in-app payment methods, charged a 26 percent commission on third-party payments, blocked external payment options, and delayed app reviews without explanation; Apple was also found to calculate commissions differently for Korean versus overseas developers.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-29
South Korea's Korea Media and Communications Commission fined Apple roughly $15.5 million (20.81 billion won) and Google a separate penalty for violating the country's Telecommunications Business Act. Regulators found both companies forced developers toward their own in-app payment systems via a 26% commission, delayed app reviews without clear explanation, and applied discriminatory commissions, and ordered policy changes to correct these practices.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-28
South Korea's Korea Media and Communications Commission fined Google 42.9 billion won and Apple 20.8 billion won, totaling about $47.6 million, for violating a 2021 law requiring app stores to allow alternative payment systems. The regulator said both companies effectively forced developers to use their own payment systems by charging a 26% commission and withholding features from third-party options, and also delayed app reviews without explanation. Apple was additionally accused of overcharging Korean developers compared with developers elsewhere between 2015 and January 2023.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-10-28
A new app called Tiny Computers lets iPhone Duo owners transform their device's dual screens into emulations of classic computers. Options include four vintage Macs—the original 1984 Macintosh, iMac G3, iBook G3, and PowerBook G4—alongside non-Apple machines like the Commodore 64, IBM PC, Amiga 500, ThinkPad, and Windows 95/XP laptops. Each emulation includes limited functionality such as clickable keyboards, command lines, paint programs, and simple games, with hidden files and secrets to discover.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-27
A third-party macOS utility called Open Sound Connect now allows direct control of Sony's WH-1000X and MDR-1000X headphone line from a Mac, covering noise cancellation, sound settings and custom scenes via a menu bar panel. The app requires no Sony account or phone pairing, and is distributed through a direct download with a license key, with a Mac App Store version still forthcoming. Licenses permit up to two active installations managed through a user account.
opensoundconnect.app
· 2026-10-26
Flipcorder is a new iOS app that mimics an old camcorder, saving all recorded footage to a single virtual tape capable of holding up to 30 minutes, captured in 20-second increments. It supports VHS and MiniDV-style filters as well as high-quality video, and is optimized for the iPhone Duo's dual displays. The app costs a one-time $4.99 on the App Store and requires iOS 26 or later.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-24
Developers have begun releasing apps designed around the iPhone Duo's folding hinge and dual screens, with Apple adding a 'Made for iPhone Duo' badge to highlight ones built for the larger display. Examples include Battlefleet Duo, a board-game-style naval battler that uses tabletop mode for local multiplayer, and Flipcorder, a retro camcorder app that turns opening the device into 'removing the lens cap.' A reviewer who has covered Android foldables for years says their inbox has seen an unusual surge of pitches from indie developers eager to showcase apps for Apple's first foldable phone.
wired.com
· 2026-10-24
CNET's Kerry Wan tested early apps built for Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo, highlighting Netflix and NYT Cooking as among the most polished so far. Apps optimized for the device's flexible screen will carry a 'Made for iPhone Duo' badge on the App Store, while a separate web tracker monitors which popular apps still lack support.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-23
Apple will mark apps optimized for its new foldable iPhone Duo with a 'Made for iPhone Duo' badge in the App Store. Apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Zoom will use the device's dual screens for features such as split-screen viewing and desktop-style layouts. Apple says editorial collections highlighting these apps will launch alongside the device on Friday, with more updates throughout the year.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-22
An Australian federal court has ruled against Apple, ordering it to allow third-party app stores, direct downloads, and alternative payment systems on iOS without imposing restrictive conditions or fees. Following the ruling, Epic Games announced Fortnite will return to the Australian App Store, ending its absence there since Apple had continued contested restrictions after the game relaunched elsewhere. Apple must comply by March 1, 2027, pay 85 percent of Epic's legal costs, and has said it disagrees with the findings and intends to challenge them.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-22
A Federal Court of Australia judge ruled that Apple must let iPhone users with Australian Apple Accounts download apps from alternative app stores and websites starting March 1, 2027, with a possible extension to May 3, 2027. The 235-page decision follows an earlier finding that Apple breached Australian competition law through App Store restrictions, in a case brought by Epic Games. Apple has said it will appeal.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-22
Sensor Tower reports Meta's AI app Muse became the 12th app since 2015 to reach 10 million US downloads within 40 days of launch, and the first since Threads in 2023. The firm says Muse's retention outpaces rivals like ChatGPT, Grok, and Claude, which saw far fewer US downloads in their first 40 days. The news comes as Meta has suspended Muse's conversation-sharing feature after researchers found it could expose sensitive personal and business data.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-20
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