Apple shares its best apps, podcasts, books/audiobooks of 2020

Source: Apple

Apple has released its comprehensive list of the best app, podcasts, and books/audiobooks based on editorial picks and data from the App Store, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Books. Vancouver-based game developer RAC7 won the Apple Arcade Game of the Year with Sneaky Sasquatch.  

The company noted that a trend that dominated the year lent towards helpfulness, which meant to help users "stay healthy, educated, connected, and entertained."

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Apple to require developers to share app privacy 'nutrition label' starting next month

Apple announced at WWDC 2020 that it was going to require developers to share information on the data it collects from users. With that info, the company promised to add what looks like nutrition labels on the App Store so users can understand the apps they download better, learn about whether they can track you, and find out what info is linked to you.

Now, we learn that Apple will require developers to comply starting December 8, which means we might start seeing these labels then. Developers can share the necessary information through Apple's App Store Connect website.

Source: Engadget

Epic Games files preliminary injunction to allow 'Fortnite' back on Apple App Store

Epic Games' latest move following its developer account termination by Apple is asking the courts to allow Fortnite back on the App Store and restore its developer account. Epic claims in its filing that it was challenging Apple "because it was the right thing to do" and that it was "better positioned than many other companies to weather the storm." Epic calls Apple a "monopolist" who keeps its dominant spot by "explicitly prohibiting any competitive entry" when it comes to in-app payment processing and app distribution.

But while it can weather the said storm, the developer said that Fortnite not being available on the App Store will cause it to "likely suffer irreparable harm." That the "balance of harms tips strongly in Epic's favour," with daily iOS active users dropping by over 60% since its removal from Apple's storefront.

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Apple claims Epic requested for special treatment

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Apple has finally responded to Epic's lawsuit with claims that the gaming giant requested special treatment on multiple occasions. The company produced three emails from Epic CEO Tim Sweeney, marking Apple's first legal response against Epic since their dispute spilled into courts. The claim that Epic sought a "special deal" was something Sweeney refuted earlier this month, saying they are "fighting for open platforms and policy changes equally benefiting all developers." 

But Apple's filing on Friday disputes this point. "On June 30, 2020, Epic's CEO Tim Sweeney wrote my colleagues and me an email asking for a 'side letter' from Apple that would create a special deal for only Epic that would fundamentally change the way in which Epic offers apps on Apple's iOS platform," Phil Schiller, former Apple Senior Vice President and now Apple Fellow, said.

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