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Apple, Google no longer in power as fairness is brought to digital economy

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South Korea is the first country to challenge app store payment policies, with a new bill introduced to support content developers.

South Korea challenges app and play store policies.

Google and Apple are now facing criticism for their app store and payment policies across the Asia Pacific.

Currently, app developers are forced to use the proprietary billing systems of the respective tech giants’, however South Korea is challenging this rule.

Under a new bill passed on Tuesday by South Korean parliament, app makers can use external companies to process payments on their apps in Google Play and Apple’s App store.

The country will be the first to challenge Google and Apple’s payment policies, once the bill is signed by President Moon Jae-in.

This comes a week after Apple said it would allow App Store developers to promote alternative payment methods to their user.

Current policies “unfair”

Critics said the current Google and Apple payment legislations were unfair, as the monopolies were entitled to a 30 percent commission.

They also said, developers were left with little choice and had to coincide with the conditions or face not receiving payment and delayed app reviews.

Meghan DiMuzio, the head of the Coalition for App Fairness, welcomes the bill coined the “Google power-abuse-prevention law” with open arms.

“[The law] is a significant development in the global fight to bring fairness to the digital economy,” DiMuzio says.

Apple and Google react

However, in response to the bill, Apple says choice of third-party payment systems may put users at risk of exposure to fraud.

“Users who purchase digital goods…undermine their privacy protections, make it difficult to manage their purchases and features like ‘Ask to Buy’ and Parental Controls will become less effective,” an Apple spokesperson says.

Google also commented on the bill saying its payment system is what helps keep its service fee “free”.

“We’ll reflect on how to comply with this law while maintaining a model that supports a high-quality operating system and app store, and we will share more in the coming weeks.”

Australia follows suit

Australia is also ramping up the pressure by floating reforms for how to tackle payment systems provided by Apple and Google.

Apple’s commissions, can go as high as 30 percent on some purchases made through the company’s platform, with some companies saying they have little choice to comply.

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has called for new regulations on digital payments.

“Ultimately, if we do nothing to reform the current framework, it will be Silicon Valley alone that determines the future of our payments system.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, the Australian Financial Review newspaper.

The Australian government is considering designating tech companies as payment providers while establishing a strategic plan between the government and the industry.

As a result, an integrated licensing framework will be developed for payment systems.

Written by Rebecca Borg

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Apple postpones iPhone Air sequel due to poor sales

Apple delays iPhone Air 2 indefinitely after lacklustre sales of first model

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Apple delays iPhone Air 2 indefinitely after lacklustre sales of first model

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In Short:
– Apple has postponed the iPhone Air’s launch due to poor sales of the current model.
– Production of the iPhone Air will stop, with Foxconn and Luxshare ceasing manufacturing by November and October respectively.
Apple has delayed the launch of its second-generation iPhone Air, which was scheduled for fall 2026, due to disappointing sales of the current model that debuted two months ago, as reported by The Information.Engineers and suppliers have been informed that the iPhone Air will be removed from the production schedule without a new release date.

The decision coincides with a significant reduction in the production of the existing model. Foxconn is expected to cease all manufacturing by the end of November, while Luxshare will stop production by the end of October.

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Sales for the iPhone Air have not met Apple’s expectations since its launch in September. Foxconn has limited its production lines for the device, and future orders are projected to decrease significantly. A survey indicated nearly no demand for the iPhone Air, with consumers instead choosing the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models.

Production Challenges

The underperformance of the iPhone Air continues a trend of failed attempts by Apple to add a fourth model to its lineup.

The iPhone mini was previously discontinued after poor sales, followed by the larger Plus models, which faced similar challenges.

Apple had intended to develop a lighter second-generation iPhone Air with improved specifications but may now reconsider its design approach. The company also has plans for a staggered launch of the iPhone 18 lineup set for 2026 and early 2027.


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Tech giants’ $47 billion AI infrastructure deals announced

Tech giants commit $47.7 billion to AI deals as demand for computing power soars and market diverges

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Tech giants commit $47.7 billion to AI deals as demand for computing power soars and market diverges

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In Short:
– Wall Street started November mixed as AI deals boosted tech stocks, especially Amazon’s share price after a major agreement.
– OpenAI plans $1.4 trillion investment for computing resources, with Big Tech predicting over $250 billion AI infrastructure spending this year.
Wall Street began the month with mixed performances as major artificial intelligence deals influenced tech stocks positively, while broader market indices diverged.
Amazon’s shares rose over 5% following a significant $38 billion cloud services agreement with OpenAI, contributing to gains for the Nasdaq despite a decline in the Dow.The seven-year collaboration with Amazon Web Services marks OpenAI’s first major partnership with AWS, offering access to Nvidia graphics processing units essential for its AI expansion.

Amazon commented on the soaring demand for computing power resulting from rapid AI advancements, aiming for full capacity deployment by the end of 2026.

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Microsoft also sealed a $9.7 billion agreement with IREN, highlighting the industry’s insatiable need for cloud capacity.

The collaborations depict Big Tech’s ongoing commitment to AI infrastructure, with significant investments aimed at catering to the escalating demand for computing resources.

Investment Perspective

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed intentions to invest $1.4 trillion to create 30 gigawatts of computing resources.

Major players, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, have adjusted their capital expenditure forecasts for 2025, anticipating AI infrastructure spending to surpass $250 billion this year.

Despite market caution regarding inflated valuations, analysts remain optimistic about growth in the sector. Even amidst fears of an AI bubble, industry leaders assert ongoing investments will continue to bolster market performance through 2026.


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Xi proposes global AI governance at APEC summit

Xi proposes global AI governance body at APEC, positioning China as trade alternative to US and promoting green technology circulation

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Xi proposes global AI governance body at APEC, positioning China as trade alternative to US and promoting green technology circulation

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In Short:
– Xi Jinping proposed a global body to govern artificial intelligence at the APEC leaders’ meeting.
– The proposed organisation aims to enhance AI collaboration and benefit international development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a global body to govern artificial intelligence during the APEC leaders’ meeting, aiming to establish China as an alternative to the United States in trade cooperation.This marked Xi’s first major comments on the initiative announced earlier this year. The United States has so far rejected the idea of regulating AI through international bodies.

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Xi suggested that a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization could create governance rules and enhance collaboration, framing AI as a “public good for the international community.” He emphasized the importance of AI for future development, stating it should benefit people across all nations.

Chinese officials indicated that the proposed organization could be based in Shanghai, China’s commercial hub. U.S. President Donald Trump attended the summit but left after a meeting with Xi, amidst ongoing tensions regarding trade and technology controls between the two countries.

AI Governance

Analysts expected Xi to leverage the summit to promote China as a leader in multilateral trade and economic development.

California-based Nvidia plays a crucial role in the AI sector, while China-based developer DeepSeek has introduced cost-effective AI models to support Beijing’s goals for algorithmic independence.

Xi called on APEC to facilitate the free circulation of green technologies, reflecting China’s dominance in this sector. APEC members agreed on a joint declaration addressing AI and ageing populations during the summit. The 2026 summit will take place in Shenzhen, a city transformed from a fishing village into a manufacturing powerhouse since the 1980s.

APEC represents 21 nations, accounting for half of global trade.


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