Apple Unveils Unified Games Hub for iPhone, iPad and Mac
The new Games app will host five main sections: Home, Arcade, Play Together, Library and Search. Users will now see their entire App Store game library alongside Apple Arcade titles within a single interface. The Home tab surfaces timely events and update notices, while Arcade consolidates access to Apple's subscription service, which offers over 200 premium games. Customized recommendations will draw from past play habits, friends' activity, and Game Center leaderboards.
Apple is emphasising social engagement in the Play Together section, which brings Game Center friends into the spotlight. Users can track friends' playtime, compare achievements and invitation codes, and start challenges directly from the app. Challenges allow users to invite friends to beat each other's high scores in supported titles, effectively converting solo gameplay into competitive shared experiences. A Game Overlay feature will also allow players to access these tools while mid‑game on iPad and Mac.
ADVERTISEMENT
Developer reception has been positive: designers from Puzzmo, Doghowl Games and Triband have praised the app's social and discovery features, saying it offers 'a window back into their gaming worlds' and has potential to 'deepen player engagement'. Apple frames the app as an improved mechanism for studios to showcase in‑app events, leaderboards and notifications designed to retain players.
On the technical front, Apple is supporting the Games app launch with enhancements to its developer tools. At WWDC 2025, the company introduced the Metal 4 framework featuring AI‑driven frame interpolation and denoising for smoother performance on Apple Silicon, comparable to DLSS in competing platforms. It also demonstrated a Game Porting Toolkit designed to simplify the migration of Windows titles to Mac, signalling a renewed push to bring AAA content such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Hitman to Mac users.
But Apple's ambitions extend beyond hardware and software improvements. While the new app is poised to replace the legacy Game Center interface, Apple has yet to confirm whether it will also extend to Apple TV or Vision Pro devices. The company's prior launch of Game Mode on macOS Sonoma and iOS suggests this package fits into a wider strategy to bolster device gaming capability.
Still, some commentators have questioned the app's impact, noting that it largely repackages App Store gaming features rather than introducing wholly new tools. Apple will need to leverage its design, developer support and AI enhancements to appeal to discerning gamers, particularly when competing with dedicated platforms.
Launch timing remains tethered to Apple's broader OS updates. The company plans to roll out iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe this autumn, coinciding with pre‑installing the Games app across device updates. Activation is expected to align with the annual iPhone launch cycle, traditionally in September, positioning gaming as a core feature in their next generation of devices.
Apple's renewed focus on gaming underscores its services-driven business model, with gaming representing one of the few remaining growth sectors amid declining hardware revenue. The integration of Apple Arcade, Game Center, and streamlined discovery tools reflects a strategy to deepen user engagement and capture a greater share of in-app spending.
At the same time, Apple's move supports developers by offering new avenues for monetisation through in‑app events and challenges. With over half a billion iPhone users identified as gamers by Apple, the company sees a vast, under‑tapped audience that could be mobilised via improved discovery and social connectivity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Africa: Make digital giants pay their fair share of taxes
The current international tax sys- tem on digital systems, inher- ited from the 20th century, taxes the factory, not the algorithm. It recognises warehouses, butignores clouds. As a result, the 10 largest platforms (Google, Apple, Meta, TikTok, etc.) generated more than $500bn in rev- enue in 2023, largely escaping taxation. In many developing countries, they pay a tiny fraction of what they should. Meanwhile, tax revenues are eroding, inequalities are widening, and states are losing their means of action. The OECD Agreement, which was sup- posed to tax profits where the users are located and introduce a global minimum tax, has stalled. The US Congress blocked its ratification, and the new Trump ad- ministration buried it by withdrawing the US from the process. Taxation has become a foreign policy tool. This legal vacuum encourages uni- lateral tax measures. Several countries are maintaining or considering their own digital taxes, in the absence of a multilat- eral framework. But the American pressure is formidable: India, a pioneer in this area, announced on 1 April that it was abandon- ing its tax on non-resident companies that earn digital advertising revenue from Indican businesses (2%, yielding €440m in 2022), under the threat of trade reprisals. In Africa, the stakes are high. Accord- ing to the Economic Commission for Af- rica, the continent could lose up to 30% of its VAT revenue by 2030 if nothing is done. Tax administrations, such as that of Kenya, are struggling to trace the digital flows that pass through Amsterdam before disappearing into the Virgin Islands. Governments are under pressure from their people, who are revolting because of the unbearable tax burden, as in the DRC or Kenya. Small taxpayers pay for everyone: how can it be justified that a farmer is taxed on his livestock income, while a multinational raking in millions is exempt? But Africa is not standing by and doing nothing. Kenya introduced a 1.5% tax on the turnover of digital platforms, supple- mented by 16% digital VAT, for an accrual of $78m in 2023. Nigeria has introduced a similar tax framework. These simple and effective models protect local non-digital SMEs while restoring tax equity. These are not 'anti-GAMAM' (Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft) taxes, but transitional, non-discriminatory measures pending a global agreement. In Europe too, digital taxes have borne fruit, bringing in €350m for France, £430m for the UK. But they are now being tar- geted by Washington. In London, there is a parliamentary debate: should such taxation be maintained despite the threat of sanctions and perhaps bigger tariffs, when the country is planning large budget cuts by 2030? Faced with this impasse, a new bal-ance is possible. In 2024, 110 countries supported a UN framework convention on taxation. Its objectives are to intro- duce a withholding tax on digital services, integrated into bilateral tax treaties; to guarantee egalitarian governance (one country, one vote); and to strengthen the capacity of Southern countries to trace and tax digital flows. This dynamic could take shape in a North–South forum, backed by the UN, with three key missions: pooling good tax practices; coordinating transitional taxes to avoid a disorderly proliferation; and strengthening administrative and technological capacities, particularly with regard to the traceability of digital flows. Pivotal role Europe has a pivotal role to play. On the heels of American tariffs, it has announced the possibility of a tax on American digital services. This wake-up call is beneficial and could inspire many countries in the Global South if a coalition were to form. Europe must maintain diplomatic pressure on Washington to revive the multilateral agreement, while co-constructing an al- ternative with the emerging powers within the framework of this North-South forum. This agile minilateralism – led by India, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa and Europe (UK and EU) – could structure a post-Western, more balanced and more le- gitimate governance of digital technology. Digital flows are still escaping the tax radar, but not the appetite of the giants. It is time to rewrite the rules of the game. Taxing digital technology does not mean holding back innovation: it means restor- ing fiscal justice, protecting states and reaffirming a fundamental principle – sovereignty is not negotiable. n Abdelmalek Riad, an economist, is Vice- President of Asoria, a digital economy taxa- tion platform. The 10 largest platforms (Google, Apple, Meta, etc.) generated over $500bn in revenue in 2023, but mostly escaped tax. © Copyright IC Publications 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
TECHx
a day ago
- TECHx
Canon Announces RF Lenses Compatible with Apple Vision Pro
Home » Top stories » Canon Announces RF Lenses Compatible with Apple Vision Pro Canon Inc. announced that two of its RF lenses for 3D VR video will support the Apple Projected Media Profile (APMP). The lenses include the RF5.2mm F2.8 L DUAL FISHEYE, released in December 2021, and the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE, released in June 2024. APMP is a QuickTime movie profile supported by Apple Vision Pro, the spatial computer developed by Apple Inc. Additionally, Canon revealed that the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, launched in November 2024, will be compatible with spatial photo technology. This move aims to expand the 3D VR market through ongoing collaboration with Apple. Canon first launched the EOS VR System in 2021 to support VR video production across entertainment, tourism, and education. The company reported that the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens can record spatial video, a type of 3D footage with depth, tailored for Apple Vision Pro. At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, 2025, Apple announced visionOS 26, the latest operating system for Apple Vision Pro. Canon's RF5.2mm and RF-S3.9mm lenses will offer native playback of APMP on visionOS 26, set for release in late 2025. Users can convert footage from these lenses using Canon's EOS VR Utility app. This update will enhance the immersive experience with Apple Vision Pro. Furthermore, the EOS VR Utility update will enable the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL to handle spatial video and spatial photo when used with Canon mirrorless cameras EOS R7 and EOS R50 V. Canon also reported that the EOS R50, released in March 2023, will gain compatibility with the EOS VR System via a firmware update in mid-July 2025. This update will enable spatial video and spatial photo support. Going forward, Canon stated it will strengthen the EOS VR System through collaboration with Apple. The company aims to meet the creative needs of professional users seeking new immersive storytelling methods. Key points: Canon's RF lenses now compatible with Apple Vision Pro and APMP. New updates enable spatial video and photo with Canon mirrorless cameras. Collaboration with Apple aims to expand 3D VR video production.
UAE Moments
a day ago
- UAE Moments
iPhone 17 to Be Made in India: 6 Major Changes Coming
The iPhone 17 is already making waves ahead of its expected launch in September 2025, with leaks and insider reports revealing big changes across the lineup. From a sleek new design to manufacturing shifts to India, Apple's next-generation smartphone is shaping up to be one of the brand's most talked-about releases in years. Here's a quick breakdown of what we know so far. A New Lineup With a Slim Twist Apple is reportedly shaking up its lineup by replacing the iPhone Plus with an all-new model called the iPhone 17 Slim (also referred to as iPhone 17 Air). The full series will include: iPhone 17 iPhone 17 Pro iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone 17 Slim This move aims to modernize the lineup and cater to users looking for a thinner, lighter device. iPhone Production Moves to India For the first time, Apple is manufacturing some iPhone 17 models in India, including the standard version. The Slim model, however, will still be produced in China. This shift highlights Apple's growing investment in India, with a long-term goal of producing most US-sold iPhones in the country by 2026. September Launch Expected Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup in the second or third week of September, followed by pre-orders and in-store availability shortly after. Unlike some previous releases, no delays are expected. Fresh Look and Feel Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 series will come in new colors, including green and purple options. Design-wise, Apple is leaning into a slimmer frame for the Slim model and a slightly larger display on the standard model. Power Boost: A19 Pro Chip and AI Integration The iPhone 17 Pro models will be powered by Apple's new A19 Pro chipset, along with vapor chamber cooling and better thermal management. Expect improved battery life, Wi-Fi 7 support, and faster AI performance across the board. Even the base models may get more RAM, making the lineup more capable for both casual and power users. Running on iOS 26 The entire iPhone 17 series will run on iOS 26, which introduces features like live translation, Apple Intelligence, redesigned apps, and interactive widgets. The software was officially unveiled in June 2025. Pricing and Possible 2026 Budget Model Pricing for the base models is expected to stay similar to current iPhones. However, Pro models may see a price bump due to hardware upgrades. There's also speculation of a new budget-friendly iPhone 17e in 2026 — aimed at offering a more affordable option under $1,000. From sleek new models to faster chips and production moves to India, Apple is clearly aiming for a fresh start with the iPhone 17 series. Whether you're an Apple loyalist or just in the market for a powerful new phone, September 2025 could be your upgrade moment. Stay tuned for more official details as the launch date gets closer.
