Cult of Mac’s Ian Fuchs says new features in iPadOS 14 make the Apple Pencil an indispensable tool — even for people who aren’t artists.
That’s the cover story in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now for that story, plus the latest Apple news, leaks, how-tos and reviews. (In case you hadn’t noticed, Apple’s battle with Fortnite dev Epic Games is getting nasty.)
Apple terminated Epic Games account on the App Store on Friday. This is the latest move in a battle between the two companies over revenue from in-app purchases in the popular game Fortnite.
Fortnite itself had already been booted from the App Store, and today’s move means other offerings from Epic Games are also unavailable to iPhone and iPad users.
Apple’s lead story on the App Store Today screen is about the upcoming season of PUBG Mobile. The iPhone-maker also recently did a similar promotion for Butter Royale.
It’s clear Apple wants everyone to know that while Fortnite was kicked out of the App Store, there are other battle royale games.
It’s the end of the line for Fortnite on iOS and Mac. For now, at least. In an email sent to users, Epic Games says that users on Apple platforms will no longer be receiving new content for the game.
And, you know, to drum home the point that, as Epic is keen to suggest, Apple’s the one entirely at fault.
The court battle between Epic Games and Apple will really start affecting Fortnite players on Thursday. That’s when the next season of the wildly-popular game will drop, but not for anyone using an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
In an order issued Monday night, a U.S. district judge blocked Apple from revoking Epic Games’ developer accounts as the legal battle between the two companies moves toward trial.
The move protects Unreal Engine, Epic’s software suite that is widely used by other game developers, from becoming collateral damage in the high-profile legal battle.
Apple’s brain-melting march beyond a $2 trillion market cap might be just the start. Find out how high AAPL stock might go (and why all this success might have Apple fans tired of winning).
Plus, we’ve got more Apple rumors, this time concerning a potential cheaper Apple Watch and more! And Epic Games unleashes yet another creative salvo in its battle royale with Apple. (Surprise, surprise — Cupertino fires back in court.)
You can read all these stories, plus plenty of Apple how-tos and product reviews, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now!
Apple on Friday asked a judge to deny Epic Games’ request for a court order forcing Apple to return Fortnite to the App Store. In a filing, the iPhone-maker said Epic Games brought the ban on itself by its own actions.
The court’s decision will determine whether this wildly popular game will be available for iPhone and iPad users while a potentially lengthy court battle between Apple and Epic Games goes on.
Epic Games will hand out anti-Apple prizes in a new Fortnite tournament due to take place Sunday, August 23.
Prizes will include a “Free Fortnite” hat modeled after Apple’s classic “Think Different” branding, the in-game skin for the evil-looking Apple Big Brother character (dubbed the “Tart Tycoon”) from Fortnite‘s “1984” Mac ad parody, and more.
Fortnite is currently banned from the App Store following a big fallout between Apple and Epic Games. But for some players, that doesn’t mean it’s gone from iPhone and iPad for good.
So long as you’ve downloaded Fortnite at least once before, it’s still possible to re-download it today. We’ll show you how to do it.
Epic Games, maker of Fortnite, is recruiting a team of like-minded companies to join its fight against Apple and its App Store policies, according to a report from The Information (paywall).
The publication claims that Epic is getting in touch with other companies that disagree with the App Store’s strict rules. Two of these companies are reportedly Sonos and Spotify. However, neither of them has officially joined the coalition.
Shortly after Fortnite was unceremoniously ejected from the App Store Thursday, Epic Games dropped a — no pun intended — epic parody video depicting Apple as the same dystopian Big Brother it had railed against in its famous Nineteen Eighty-Four commercial for the original Macintosh.
But this is far from the first time Apple’s sledgehammer-tossing, Ridley Scott-directed Mac ad has been spoofed. Here are five more times that shows or companies satirized the imagery of what might be Apple’s best-known advert.
The hugely popular game Fortnite was removed from the iPhone App Store on Thursday. This move came in response to Epic Games instituting a direct payments system for in-app purchases in violation of App Store guidelines.
And Epic Games responded with a civil lawsuit that accuses the App Store of being a monopoly. And a video that harks back to the famous “1984” ad.
Epic Games launched the Fortnite Mega Drop on Thursday. This offers up to 20% discounts on in-app purchases made on iPhone, iPad or Android, as long as these are direct payments — not ones that go through the App Store or Google Play.
And V-Bucks or real-money purchases made on Mac, PC and other platforms are also discounted by up to 20%.
Update: Apple responded by expelling Fortnite from the App Store.
Epic Games on Wednesday gave a first look at Unreal Engine 5, the next generation of its tool for creating 3D games. The goal is “photorealism on par with movie CG and real life,” according to the company. And a video demo shows what’ll be possible in future titles for macOS, iOS and other platforms.
Fortnite’s newest update is rolling out now across all platforms, bringing with it some big changes and new game modes. Players can expect aim assist adjustments, heavy sniper alterations, and brand-new Party Royale.
And that’s not all!
Epic Games confirmed on Tuesday that it is extending Fortnite Battle Royale chapter two, season two into June. It promises fresh gameplay, new challenges, bonus XP, and a “couple more surprises” before season three.
Epic did not provide us with a reason for the extension, but there are a number of reasons why season three may not be ready yet.
The wait for Deadpool is finally over in Fortnite Battle Royale. The skin every player has been eagerly anticipating since the start of chapter two, season two is available to unlock, and it won’t cost you a penny if you own the Battle Pass.
Fortnite’s newest update lets players take to the skies in helicopters for the first time. The new Choppa can be found in various locations during Battle Royale matches. It joins motorboats as the game’s second vehicle.
Other changes and improvements in Fortnite’s version 12.20 update include the ability to create locker presets, a new Spy Games game mode, and more.
Epic Games has confirmed it is removing Legacy Look Controls from Fortnite on March 13.
Controller users have until this date to switch to one of the new control options. The move spells the end for what many believe is a broken and overpowered aim assist option.
Have you noticed Fortnite isn’t running so smoothly on Mac or iOS since the introduction of season two, chapter two? You’re not alone; almost every player is experiencing significant frame drops following last week’s update.
The good news is Epic Games is working on a fix.
The longest season in Fortnite history is finally over. Downtime just began for the game’s next major update, and Epic Games dropped its first official trailers for chapter two, season two. Check them out right here.
Fortnite just got its first update of 2020, and while it may look like a small and insignificant release at first glance, it actually makes playing on iOS devices better than ever.
The version 11.40 update finally adds support for L3 and R3 buttons on compatible controllers. And those playing on iPad Pro can now enjoy super-speedy gameplay at up to 120 frames-per-second.
Fortnite’s newest update is out with a brand-new Battle Lab that lets you create the rules for your own Battle Royale matches.
You can select from your favorite limited-time game (LTM) pools, set up custom combat scenarios, and specify your own settings. The version 11.31 update also brings a bunch of bug fixes across all platforms.
Epic Games appears to be planning a big change to the Fortnite Battle Pass system in 2020. A new leak reveals an annual purchase option that comes with exclusive cosmetics you can’t obtain elsewhere.
