Author: Alexander Price

Google and Epic Games withdrew their joint settlement agreement this week after it became clear the court would likely not allow it. Once the settlement is reached, Google is bound by a permanent injunction issued in October 2024 requiring it to allow alternative app stores on Android devices. In a court filing (PDF), Google said it plans to start supporting alternative app stores on July 22. The edgeGoogle said it decided to withdraw the request to avoid a prolonged legal battle. We have agreed with Epic to withdraw our motion to modify the US court injunction rather than prolong this…

Apple shared a new ad services policy this week outlining the types of ads that won’t be allowed in the Maps app. As noted TechCrunchApple provides a list of ad categories that are not allowed in Apple Maps. Home services – Advertisements directly or indirectly promoting home services are not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, plumbing, electrical, locksmith, HVAC, pest control, roofing and general contracting services. Bail – Advertising content directly or indirectly promoting bail bonds services or bail bonds services related to pretrial criminal release is not permitted. Cryptocurrency ATMs – Advertising content directly or indirectly…

FotoField/Shutterstock The Google Play Store has been the default place to officially download Android apps for years, but that’s about to change. Later this month, Google will adopt changes that should make it much easier to install apps without relying solely on the company’s market in the United States. This major change comes after Google and Epic Games unexpectedly abandoned a proposed settlement in what has been a years-long legal battle. With the settlement scrapped, Google will now be forced to open the figurative doors of the Play Store to…

Apple’s current M2 Ultra servers don’t seem to be up to the task. Apple doesn’t tend to spend big money buying companies, but that could change as it looks to bolster its AI processing power. The company has reportedly been in talks with semiconductor makers and bankers about possible acquisitions to bolster its servers. According to The informationwhich was the first to announce the news, Apple has been facing performance issues with servers running on its M2 Ultra chips. These are used for some AI tasks, although the heavy lifting (like the Gemini model behind Siri AI) is apparently handled…

A highly anticipated feature is coming very soon. Porsche Have you ever sat in your CarPlay-equipped vehicle waiting to pick up a friend and thought, “Why can’t I play a video on this giant screen?” » If so, there’s some good news: Apple quietly announced at WWDC 2026 that CarPlay will soon let you browse and play videos directly on supported vehicles once iOS 27 arrives. This news came shortly after Google announced that HD video playback would also be available on Android Auto. This CarPlay video feature will only work when the car is stationary;…

Dmitri T/Shutterstock If you want to insure your Pixel smartphone directly from Google, you often have to get it directly at checkout when purchasing the phone. Typically, Google locks its Pixel Care+ signup window just 60 days after purchase, leaving anyone with buyer’s remorse completely out of luck. However, the tech giant is currently skirting its rigid rules, offering a rare open enrollment period that allows existing Pixel owners to purchase the plan long after the original deadline. It’s a surprising decision that can give you a well-deserved second chance…

Apple is reportedly partnering with Chinese companies Baidu and Alibaba to deploy its AI service in the country. DenPhotos/Shutterstock Apple Intelligence has been registered with China’s cyberspace regulator, as Apple overcomes a significant hurdle that could finally allow its AI service to roll out in the country. As reported ReutersChina’s version of Apple Intelligence will integrate local Baidu and Alibaba models to comply with the country’s complex regulatory laws relating to AI and privacy. If it has indeed received the green light (Apple has not yet commented on the subject), Apple Intelligence could arrive in China…

Apple today announced that Major League Soccer will return to the Apple TV streaming service tomorrow, July 16, with the regular season resuming following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Apple TV subscribers in more than 100 countries can watch every MLS game. A separate subscription is no longer necessary. Popular storiesApple’s 2026 back-to-school offer is coming soonApple stores will roll out back-to-school marketing materials this week, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This suggests that the offer will begin in the United States in the coming days. Last year, students and education staff could receive a free accessory…

Elvard/Shutterstock Project We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Google’s Pixel line is widely considered to include some of the best Android phones on the market. It promises a long software support period, fast Android updates, deeper AI integration, and impressive imaging capabilities. Some Pixel phone models also include MagSafe-compatible Pixelsnap magnetic charging technology, the equivalent of which is missing from the majority of the Android ecosystem. These features and many other benefits are often why some people choose a Google Pixel over other Android phones. While…

The European Commission yesterday adopted new exemptions to its battery regulation that exempt Apple Watch and AirPods from the requirement to offer removable and user-replaceable batteries. The EU battery regulation generally requires consumer products sold in the region to allow users to swap their own batteries, a measure aimed at keeping devices in use longer and making it easier to recover materials for recycling. The Commission has now expanded its list of exempt product types to six additional categories, including wearable devices such as smart watches and fitness trackers. The reasoning largely mirrors why devices such as electric toothbrushes were…