Top Tech News Today: Small Developers Get Apple's Breather Around New App Store Fee In EU, Instagram Threads May See Algorithm Changes, More

Apple has expanded options for small developers to circumvent its alternative app store tax in the European Union (EU).

Apple announced that developers of free apps without monetisation will be exempt from the new Core Technology Fee (CTF) introduced in the EU. ( Image Source :ABP Live/Getty )

Small Developers Get Apple's Breather Around New App Store Fee In EU

Apple has expanded options for small developers to circumvent its alternative app store tax in the European Union (EU). The company announced that developers of free apps without monetisation will be exempt from the new Core Technology Fee (CTF) introduced in the EU. Nonprofit organisations, government entities, and educational institutions approved for a fee waiver are exempt from paying the new fee. Apple will commence charging them after "one million initial annual installs, up to a maximum of 1 million euros per year."

Instagram Threads May See Algorithm Changes

Instagram has recently unveiled algorithm adjustments aimed at elevating creators of original content while penalising aggregators. These changes were outlined in a comprehensive blog post detailing their implementation. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri also addressed these alterations in an Instagram post and subsequently shared the same message on Threads. Mosseri noted that, at present, these changes are exclusive to Instagram. However, he hinted that similar algorithmic adjustments may be introduced to Threads in the future.

iOS 18 Likely To Copy Some AI Features From One UI 6.1, Claims Samsung

A number of features powered by artificial intelligence (AI) were seen in the Samsung Galaxy S24 series this year and it was very well received by the users as well. Apple does not want to be left behind in terms of the AI race. According to several reports, iOS 18 is believed to be heavily loaded with AI features and it is possible that some of them will be inspired by Samsung only. The AI features that iOS 18 will bring might include the ability to summarise webpages in the Safari web browser akin to what is offered in Samsung Internet's Browsing Assist feature.

LinkedIn Games Pinpoint, Queens And Crossclimb Unveiled

LinkedIn has forayed into the gaming arena. Its users can access three different games -- Pinpoint, Queens, and Crossclimb -- via the LinkedIn mobile app or desktop site. Each game can be played once per day, with users receiving metrics such as their high score, daily streak, various leaderboards, and information on who in their network has also played. The games are available under the LinkedIn News and My Network section on desktop or the My Network tab on mobile.

Google Paid Apple $22 Billion To Be Safari’s Default Search Engine

LinkedIn has forayed into the gaming arena. Its users can access three different games -- Pinpoint, Queens, and Crossclimb -- via the LinkedIn mobile app or desktop site. Each game can be played once per day, with users receiving metrics such as their high score, daily streak, various leaderboards, and information on who in their network has also played. The games are available under the LinkedIn News and My Network section on desktop or the My Network tab on mobile.