Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple Revises DMA Approach in EU, Microsoft Announces Big Layoffs, Microsoft Makes Deep Cuts to Gaming, Apple Loses Motion to Dismiss Antitrust Suit

Hello everyone.

Today’s update combines Wednesday’s and Thursday’s updates into one jam-packed email. With Wall Street closing early today (Thursday) for the long Fourth of July weekend here in the U.S., we will follow the same idea. If you are celebrating the long weekend, enjoy it.

Let’s jump in.


Apple Revises DMA Approach in EU

Three months ago, the European Commission found Apple to be in violation of various DMA stipulations. On June 26th, Apple announced “a series of additional changes under the Digital Markets Act” to address the perceived violations (and avoid fines). The changes consisted of the following:

  1. Revised (i.e. relaxed) anti-steering guidelines and accompanying business terms for developers who will utilize the new guidelines. Developers choose between having link-outs / webviews / alternative payment processing or sticking with in-app purchase (IAP).

  2. Revised business terms for all developers as Apple transitions from the Core Technology Fee (a per install fee) to the Core Technology Commission (percentage of revenue) on digital goods and services.

  3. Revised user experiences for installing alternative app marketplaces and apps from a developer’s website. The screen that is shown prior to non-IAP purchases has also been revised.

For ~95% of iOS developers with apps in the App Store in the EU, these revisions

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple Planning for iPhone and iPad Sideloading in EU, Thinking Through Sideloading Implications, The Absurdity Known as the Digital Markets Act

Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following stories:

  • Apple Planning for iPhone and iPad Sideloading in EU

  • Thinking Through Sideloading Implications

  • The Absurdity Known as the Digital Markets Act

The update is dedicated to discussing the latest regarding Apple and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The EU regulation targeting Big Tech was signed into law in September. We go over the differences found between Apple allowing sideloading and alternative app stores on iPhones and iPads. The discussion also covers how Neil thinks Apple can go about offering sideloading. The update concludes with why Neil thinks the DMA is one of the most absurd pieces of tech regulation that has existed.

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