Latest news with #AppStore
CNBC
7 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Jim Cramer is not giving up on Apple. Here's why
CNBC's Jim Cramer on Friday told investors that he's still pulling for Apple, even as its stock lags behind the averages. "If Apple can shake off its current shroud of negativity — maybe they make nice with President Trump somehow — I could justify paying 35 times earnings for the stock," he said. "Which is why I'm simply not ready to give up on this one." Cramer said he understands the current lack of enthusiasm for the iPhone maker. President Donald Trump is slapping steep tariffs on China, where Apple does the majority of its manufacturing. Trump has also said the company would have to pay a tariff of 25% or more if it were to make smartphones anywhere outside the U.S. — thwarting Apple's plans to dodge the new regulations by moving manufacturing to India. Some analysts have said domestic manufacturing would raise the cost of an iPhone by at least 25%, with one estimating a U.S. iPhone could sell at $3,500. Apple's recent Worldwide Developers Conference didn't "yield anything groundbreaking," Cramer continued, especially related to artificial intelligence. The tech titan also gave "tepid" guidance when it reported earnings last month, he added, and some on Wall Street are concerned as litigation regarding the App Store continues. However, Cramer said he's willing to stick with the company despite this uncertainty. He said he has faith in CEO Tim Cook, adding that tough times for Apple in the past have always proven to be great buying opportunities in hindsight. He reviewed the stock's performance over the past several years, noting that it has rallied hard after hitting bottoms. Cramer also said it's important to avoid looking at Apple's price-to-earnings multiple in a vacuum, saying investors should factor in its earnings growth rate. Money managers will pay up for growth, he continued, and he said Apple is expected to put up 14% earnings growth in the current calendar year. Meanwhile, he added, the S&P 500 as a whole is set to grow at a 9.4% clip. "There's clearly a point where Apple's stock becomes too cheap to ignore, and recent history says that's around 25 times earnings…that means down about 20 points from here," Cramer said. "I certainly don't want to see it revisit that level….but if for some reason the stock gets clobbered, you know what, let's back up the truck at $180." Click here to download Jim Cramer's Guide to Investing at no cost to help you build long-term wealth and invest The CNBC Investing Club Charitable Trust holds shares of Apple.
CNET
9 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Facing Billions in DMA Fines, Apple Lets EU iPhone Users Install Apps Outside the App Store
In a scramble to sidestep penalties that could soar into the billions, and with Brussels regulators watching closely, Apple has agreed to let Europeans download iPhone apps from outside its own App Store. With just hours left before an EU compliance deadline, the company said residents of the 27-nation bloc will soon be able to grab apps from rival marketplaces or straight off a developer's website. The change rolls out later this year with iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, and also lets users set a different browser engine and choose a third-party wallet at checkout. For everyday EU iPhone owners, that means the download button could pop up in more places than just Apple's storefront. After you select the new setting, iOS shows a one-time permission sheet confirming you're leaving Apple's marketplace. The app then passes a quick notarization scan meant to weed out malware. Apple notes that off-store downloads work only inside the EU, and disappear if you stay outside the bloc for more than 30 days. Cost to developers Developers do gain fresh distribution freedom, but there's a price tag. A new two-tier Store Services fee asks for 5% of outside sales in exchange for basic services like app reviews and support, in what's called Tier 1, or 13% for the full bundle of perks, including automatic updates and App Store promotions in Tier 2. Apple will take a 5% "Core Technology Commission" on any purchase made outside its own payment system. That new cut will phase out the current €0.50-per-download fee and become the sole charge across the EU when a unified pricing model arrives on Jan. 1, 2026. Apple insists "more than 99 percent" of devs will pay the same or less under the revamped math. Why now? In April, the European Commission fined Apple €500 million ($585 million) for blocking developers from steering users to cheaper payment options, and warned that daily penalties of up to 5% of global revenue could follow if it failed to comply. Throughout the back-and-forth, Apple has accused the commission of "moving the goalposts" on what counts as compliance, with a spokesperson saying the company has invested "hundreds of thousands of hours" to meet the EU's evolving demands. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney blasted the 5% tier as a "malicious compliance scheme" that "makes a mockery of fair competition." If regulators decide Apple still hasn't gone far enough, the iPhone maker could face steeper sanctions, or even be forced to separate its App Store business.
15 hours ago
- Business
Apple revamps EU App Store terms to avert more fines
LONDON -- Apple has revamped its app store policies in the European Union with hopes of fending off escalating fines under the 27-nation bloc's digital competition regulations. It's a last-minute bid by the iPhone maker to avoid further charges following a 500 million euro ($585 million) penalty in April. The bloc's executive Commission punished Apple for preventing app makers from pointing users to cheaper options outside its App Store, and gave it a 60-day deadline, which expired Thursday, to avoid additional, periodic fines. The changes made by Apple will make it easier for app makers to point users to better deals on digital products and options to pay for them outside of Apple's own App Store, including other websites, apps or alternative app stores. The California company is also rolling out a two-tier system of fees to accommodate app developers that want to use alternative payments. 'The European Commission is requiring Apple to make a series of additional changes to the App Store," Apple said in a statement. "We disagree with this outcome and plan to appeal.' The commission noted Apple's announcement and 'will now assess these new business terms for DMA compliance,' referring to the EU's Digital Markets Act. The rulebook was designed to rein in the power of big tech companies under threat of hefty fines worth up to 10% of a company's global annual revenue. Among the DMA's provisions are requirements that developers inform customers of cheaper purchasing options, and direct them to those offers. Apple's restrictions preventing developers from steering users to outside payment channels had been fiercely opposed by some companies. It's the reason, for example, Spotify removed the in-app payment option to avoid having to pay a commission of up to 30% on digital subscriptions bought through iOS.
Tom's Guide
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I just tested Google's Doppl app that lets you try on clothes with AI — and it blew me away
It seems like Google Labs is launching a new AI tool nearly every week, and this week is no different. Google just launched Doppl, a free experimental app (currently U.S. only) that takes shopping to the next level by letting users see virtually how the clothes will fit. Gone are the days of browsing static model images, that may or may not resemble your own body. Now you upload a full-body photo and see how clothes fit on you and — get this — even move, on you. And it's all powered by AI. Shopping online and see something you like? Just open the app and follow these steps: Upload or snap: Choose a photo of yourself. A full body shot is recommended. Then, pick out an outfit from Instagram, a website, or even an online thrift store catalog, and Doppl overlays the garment onto an animated version of you. Motion simulation: What makes Doppl different is that, instead of a flat image of you "wearing" the outfit, the app creates a short AI-generated video that shows how the clothes might drape and move as you walk or turn Save and share: Still deciding if you want to buy? Save your favorite virtual looks or send the AI-generated clips to friends via social media Google already offers a 'Try On' feature in AI Mode Search, but that shows clothing on a static image of yourself and only works within the browser. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Doppl gives users a more realistic preview because you get both the visual accuracy and the added realism of clothing movement—making it feel more like an in-store is better than guessing as animated previews help users assess fit, style and flow before buying. Designed for today's shopper who loves sharing on social media and discovering thrift finds, there's now no need for users to track brand listings. Plus, it's fun and free to use. Now available in the U.S. on iOS or Android, no subscription is required. Download Doppl from the U.S. App Store or Google Play. Upload a full-body photo or use the built-in AI model. Upload outfit images from your gallery or screenshots. Preview the animated look—and save or share your favorites. Remember, as with any experimental AI app, it's not perfect. Google warns that fit and visual details might not always be accurate. Google has mentioned that it intends to expand it internationally, and future updates will likely include more fashion categories, better movement fidelity and refined image-processing algorithms. If you've ever wanted to see how a thrifted jacket or an influencer's outfit might look on you, Doppl's AI-powered videos offer a surprisingly realistic solution. It's a smarter, more personal spin on Google's Search 'Try On' feature — and all you need is your smartphone and perhaps a sense of humor, because it might not always look perfect.
Fast Company
16 hours ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Why Apple is revamping its App Store terms in the European Union
Apple has revamped its app store policies in the European Union with hopes of fending off escalating fines under the 27-nation bloc's digital competition regulations. It's a last-minute bid by the iPhone maker to avoid further charges following a 500 million euro ($585 million) penalty in April. The bloc's executive Commission punished Apple for preventing app makers from pointing users to cheaper options outside its App Store, and gave it a 60-day deadline, which expired Thursday, to avoid additional, periodic fines. The changes made by Apple will make it easier for app makers to point users to better deals on digital products and options to pay for them outside of Apple's own App Store, including other websites, apps or alternative app stores. The California company is also rolling out a two-tier system of fees to accommodate app developers that want to use alternative payments. 'The European Commission is requiring Apple to make a series of additional changes to the App Store,' Apple said in a statement. 'We disagree with this outcome and plan to appeal.' The commission noted Apple's announcement and 'will now assess these new business terms for DMA compliance,' referring to the EU's Digital Markets Act. The rulebook was designed to rein in the power of big tech companies under threat of hefty fines worth up to 10% of a company's global annual revenue. Among the DMA's provisions are requirements that developers inform customers of cheaper purchasing options, and direct them to those offers. Apple's restrictions preventing developers from steering users to outside payment channels had been fiercely opposed by some companies. It's the reason, for example, Spotify removed the in-app payment option to avoid having to pay a commission of up to 30% on digital subscriptions bought through iOS.
