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Apple recently cracked down on Cal AI, an app owned by MyFitnessPal that tried to skirt Apple's in-app purchase rules. Apple told TechCrunch that it briefly pulled the calorie-counting app last week for violating purchasing guidelines and using a deceptive billing design. When the app was pulled last week, there was speculation that it was removed for implementing web-based payments, something that is now allowed in the U.S. Apple said that's not the whole story, though, and the app was violating other guidelines. Apple's ongoing legal battle with Epic Games led a judge to force Apple to allow U.S. developers to include links to external payment systems in their apps, but apps that are not classified as reader apps also have to include an in-app purchase option. Apps like Netflix and Spotify that offer streaming content are considered reader apps, but Cal AI is not. As a non-reader app, Cal AI was allowed to direct users to a non-Apple purchase option for a subscription, which it did with a purchase flow using Stripe, but the purchase option should have been displayed alongside an in-app purchase option. Apple said Cal AI bypassed its required in-app purchase flow, misled customers by displaying the weekly calculated pricing more prominently than the amount the user would be billed, and had a free trial toggle that did not make the subscription's automatic renewal clear. The app also prompted users who declined the initial subscription to agree to a second, different subscription purchase flow, leading to multiple negative reviews for its confusing third-party payment options. Cal AI fixed the issues that Apple brought up, and the app returned to the App Store . TechCrunch suggests that Cal AI was experimenting to see whether Apple was still enforcing its rules following the court ruling requiring it to allow external payments in apps. With the Cal AI crackdown, Apple made it clear that it is indeed policing external payments. MyFitnessPal and Cal AI have not commented on the situation. After returning to the ‌App Store‌, Cal AI is once again the number four app on the ‌App Store‌'s Health and Fitness charts. Tag: App Store This article, " Apple Pulled Cal AI for Deceptive Billing Design, Not External Payments " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
In an all-hands meeting with employees today, Apple's future CEO John Ternus teased an "incredible road map ahead." "I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the most exciting time to be building products and services at Apple in my entire career," said Ternus. While the meeting was private, Ternus' comments were reported by Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman . Appearing alongside Apple's current CEO Tim Cook at the Steve Jobs Theater, Ternus expressed optimism about artificial intelligence in particular. "AI is going to create almost unlimited potential," said Ternus. "We're going to be able to keep unlocking possibilities that are going to create entirely new opportunities for our products and services, and I'm so excited about what that's going to mean for our users." Unsurprisingly, he did not provide any specific details at this time. "We are about to change the world once again," he said. Ternus ensured that design remains "core" to Apple, and he promised that the company is still committed to user privacy and environmental responsibility. As for Cook, he told employees he is "healthy" and plans to serve as Apple's executive chairman for "a long time." Apple said Cook will "assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world." Ternus will become Apple's CEO on September 1. Tags: Bloomberg , John Ternus , Mark Gurman , Tim Cook This article, " Apple Teases 'Incredible Road Map Ahead' " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
Rigorous network security requirements are set to arrive with iOS 27 , and they will be especially significant for developers and IT administrators. iOS 27 will ship with updated network security requirements. iOS 27 and its corresponding updates are still more than a month away, but we already have a good idea of what to expect. Apple itself, for instance, has confirmed that macOS 27 would eliminate support for Intel Mac . Now, the company has outlined yet another change in its upcoming software updates, one which will impact device management service developers and IT administrators more than the average user. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
After skipping the second public beta for macOS 26.5 last week, Apple is rolling out macOS 26.5 public beta 2 right now, even though the company released macOS 26.5 beta 3 for developers yesterday. Here’s what to expect from this next update. more…
