alternate App stores are coming to the iPhone from Apple
Apple has announced a new “Core Technology Fee” for iPhone app developers who distribute their apps through the App Store in the European Union (EU). The fee will be charged 0.50 (around 54 cents) per annual install. However, this fee only kicks in after a million annual installs in the EU. Apple will lose its position as sole distributor of iPhone apps.
Gene therapy can help patients with an inherited form of deafness
Doctors at China’s Fudan University have created a functioning form of a gene required for sound signals to travel to the brain, restoring hearing in six children born with a genetic defect. “Before the treatment…they couldn’t hear a thing. You could put the loudest sound in the ear and they don’t hear anything,” a doctor said. The children were born with a genetic problem.
The Mac turns 40 years old
Apple has announced that it’ll be discontinuing its high-end Mac series. “The reason why we’re stopping is that we don’t believe we have the capabilities to make a new Mac,” an Apple executive said. Earlier, Apple had announced that it will discontinue the Mac series by 2021 after the success of the Mac Pro.
At least 6 people were killed by Russian missiles in Ukrainian cities
Russia has blamed Ukraine for downing a military plane that was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners to a prisoner exchange on Wednesday, claiming it was shot down by a “terrorist” missile. The plane was flying to the Belgorod airfield for an exchange of prisoners, Russia added. However, some Ukrainian authorities, including the country’s ombudsman for human rights, suggested the report was propaganda aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian society.
The streaming service has a complete one
Netflix has signed a 10-year streaming deal with WWE worth over $5 billion (35,800 crore). The deal will also include WWE’s live events and original programming. Netflix’s CEO Ted Sarandos said the deal is “one of the most valuable deals in TV history”. The agreement also includes rights to WWE’s intellectual property, including wrestler Brock Lesnar’s autobiography ‘The Undertaker’.
The OnePlus 12 review is very basic
OnePlus has unveiled its new OnePlus 12 smartphone, which will be available in the US and Europe from February 6. The OnePlus 12 is powered by an Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The phone features a 12MP rear camera with laser autofocus, 5MP front-facing camera and a 4000mAh battery.
You can enable Stolen Device Protection on your device
Apple has added Stolen Device Protection to its iOS and macOS software to help protect its users’ smartphones from thieves when they’re “away”. Stolen Device Protection will appear during attempts to access passwords or passkeys, use payment methods saved in Safari, Turn off Lost Mode, erase your phone, use a new Apple device, apply for a new Apple card, transfer money with Apple Cash.
It’s easy to see why Palworld is a hit
Nintendo and Microsoft have launched the Pokémon-inspired game ‘Palworld’ for the Xbox One console. The game takes place in a pokéball world, where players can catch Pals and build their own bases. The game also includes a multiplayer mode, where players will be able to share Pals with others from around the world.
The web is the first killer app of the Vision Pro
Apple’s upcoming 3D glasses-based headset Vision Pro may reportedly come with a few apps that can take advantage of Apple TV’s 3D effects. The report added that the headset may also come with a video chat feature, which is similar to the one present on Apple TV. However, the report further stated that the headset will not come with a built-in 3D camera.
Microsoft says the state-backed Russian hackers accessed senior Microsoft leaders’ emails
Microsoft has revealed that “state-backed Russian hackers” had infiltrated its corporate email system and accessed the accounts of members of the company’s leadership team, as well as those of its cybersecurity and legal teams. The hackers were able to expose some emails and attached documents with this access, Microsoft said. It added that it has fully remediated the breach.