Apple

• Apple has implemented a new policy in China, requiring app developers to provide proof of a Chinese government license, known as the "internet content provider (ICP) filing," before releasing new apps on the China App Store.
• The ICP filing is a registration system necessary for websites to operate legally in China and has been adopted by most local app stores since at least 2017.
• Obtaining an ICP filing license typically requires having a company in China or collaborating with a local publisher, which has been a challenge for many foreign app developers.
• This move aligns Apple with local rivals and comes as China tightens regulations on mobile apps, including the requirement for "app filing" containing business details.
• Apple's compliance status could impact the availability of numerous apps on its China App Store, including popular foreign apps like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram, and it may face further challenges in China's evolving regulatory landscape.

• A federal judge partially denied Apple's request to dismiss a proposed class action lawsuit concerning Apple Pay's alleged antitrust behavior, initiated by three credit unions.
• The credit unions claim Apple violated the Sherman Anti-Trust Act by charging excessive processing fees and excluding other digital wallets from accessing its NFC-scanning hardware.
• The judge acknowledged that iOS tap-to-pay, via Apple Pay, constitutes a distinct market due to its convenience compared to other payment methods like QR code apps.
• Lawyers argued that Apple Pay is "unlawfully tied" to Apple's devices, though the judge found this claim unconvincing as Apple Pay is free and not forced upon users.
• The judge agreed with the accusation of "arbitrary and inflated fees" for payment processing, and identified a lack of competition in the iOS digital payments market as detrimental to consumers.
• This case follows a preliminary 2022 EU ruling deeming Apple Pay anticompetitive due to Apple's exclusive use of the iPhone's NFC reader, with a court meeting scheduled for December 1 to further address the lawsuit.

CrossOver 23.5 has been released for macOS, Linux and Chrome OS.

This release offers an alternate way to run DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 games through CrossOver, using components from the Apple game porting toolkit. It can be enabled by toggling on “D3DMetal” in the right bottle sidebar.

The new D3DMetal option improves quality, compatibility, and performance for many games on Macs with the M1 chip or later, including Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077, Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon, Mortal Kombat 1, Deep Rock Galactic, Satisfactory, Monster Hunter Rise, God of War and Batman Arkham Knight.

• Apple has been the leading buyer of AI startups since 2017, acquiring 21 companies, nearly double the number purchased by Microsoft and Meta.
• While other Big Tech companies like Google and Microsoft are vocal about their AI investments, Apple remains relatively quiet, choosing to announce things as they come to market.
• The startups Apple has acquired focus on areas like self-driving technology, voice design, music generation, and image recognition.
• This acquisition strategy contrasts with companies like Microsoft and Google, who are more cautious with acquisitions due to antitrust scrutiny and instead opt for partnerships with startups.
• Apple's AI investments have contributed to new iPhone features such as personal voice and real-time voicemail transcription.

• Beijing has imposed restrictions on iPhone use among its government staff, causing Apple's stock to drop by more than 3%.
• The move exacerbates already high tensions between the U.S. and China, affecting U.S. tech companies with significant exposure to the Chinese market.
• U.S. lawmakers from both major parties express national security concerns and urge a tougher stance against Beijing.
• Apple suppliers like Qualcomm and Broadcom also experience stock declines, leading losses among major tech firms.
• The restrictions indicate that even companies with good relations with China are not immune to geopolitical tensions.
• Despite U.S. sanctions on Huawei, Apple faces competitive pressure in China, where it earns nearly a fifth of its revenue.