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The U.K.'s competition regulator has proposed letting app developers direct users to payment options outside Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store, in a move aimed at increasing competition and reducing the fees charged by the two companies. As reported by Reuters , The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the proposals would remove restrictions that currently prevent U.K. developers from directing users to off-platform payment options. The regulator said any fees Apple and Google charge developers for enabling such "steering" must be fair and reasonable, remain below existing App Store and Play Store commissions, and allow developers to either pass savings on to consumers or reinvest them in innovation. The CMA said it was also considering making Apple open up access to its near-field communication (NFC) technology, which is used for Apple Pay contactless payments. This would allow developers to potentially offer alternative payment options within their own apps. Last year, Apple was designated with strategic market status (SMS) in the U.K. for iOS and iPadOS, which enables the CMA to initiate targeted interventions designed to open the platforms to greater competition. Apple has previously said it does not support allowing developers to direct users to off-platform payments. The company argues this could undermine user security and fraud protections, and limit its ability to verify transactions. An Apple spokesperson told Reuters it could open the door to "scams, bait-and-switch tactics, and the circumvention of parental controls." "When users are directed away from Apple's trusted payment infrastructure, they lose the protections they rely on Apple to provide," the spokesperson said, adding the U.S. tech giant would continue to "make our concerns clear" to the CMA. In February, Apple and Google agreed to a series of changes aimed at making their app stores fairer for developers. Under terms published by the CMA, both companies said they will ensure apps are reviewed and ranked on their app stores in a "fair, objective and transparent way," without discrimination against apps that compete with their own services. Apple must allow developers to more easily request access to iOS features and functionality, which could clear the way for third-party apps to better compete with Apple's own services. Tags: Apple Antitrust , App Store , United Kingdom This article, " UK Pushes Apple to Loosen App Store Payment and NFC Rules " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
For Apple users, storage never feels finished. iPhone photo libraries keep growing, Macs fill up with large projects and downloads, and the monthly services meant to solve the problem can become another subscription to track. pCloud’s 4th of July promotion takes a different approach: pay once for lifetime cloud storage, then keep using it across your devices without monthly or annual renewal fees. For a limited time, pCloud is offering up to 70% off its Individual Lifetime plans, and each plan includes pCloud Encryption for free for life. Storage options range from 1 TB to 10 TB.
Today’s iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26.5.2 updates include security fixes that Apple had originally planned to release with version 26.6 of each operating system. Here’s why the company pushed them out early.
Popular open source AI agent OpenClaw is expanding to the iPhone and iPad with a new native iOS app. OpenClaw for iOS can be used alongside an existing gateway as a secure node for chat, voice approvals, sharing, and device-aware automation. The iOS app replaces iPhone and ‌iPad‌ workarounds that involved using Telegram or WhatsApp for on-the-go access. OpenClaw is a self-hosted AI agent that runs on a Mac or PC. Users can connect an API key from Claude, OpenAI, Gemini, or other AI services, linking the model to content on the gateway machine. OpenClaw lets an AI model access messaging apps, files, web browsers, and more, so it can complete tasks. To make use of the new iOS app, you'll need a gateway running on a local machine. The App Store description says the iOS app can be used in multiple ways. Pair with your private OpenClaw Gateway by QR code or setup code Chat with your assistant from iPhone Use realtime and background Talk mode Review Gateway action approvals from your iPhone Share text, links, and media directly from iOS into OpenClaw Enable device capabilities such as camera, screen, location, photos, contacts, calendar, and reminders when you choose Receive push wakes and node status updates for connected workflows OpenClaw is a useful tool, but it has risks. It is susceptible to prompt injection and requires broad system permissions on gateway devices. OpenClaw started out as Clawdbot, because the initial version created by Peter Steinberger used Claude. Anthropic complained about the name, prompting a rename. The app can be downloaded from the ‌App Store‌ for free. [ Direct Link ] This article, " Open Source AI Agent OpenClaw Gets Native iOS App " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
