Europe

Apple will jack up App Store prices in Europe and other countries

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App Store
You will have to pay more for apps and games on the App Store from October.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple has announced that it will increase the prices of apps and in-app purchases on the App Store in Europe and some other countries. The changes come into effect starting October 5, 2022.

The weakening Euro has forced the Cupertino giant to make this move.

Tim Cook calls Apple’s privacy features a ‘fundamental human right’

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Privacy
Privacy is baked into everything Apple does.
Photo: Privacy

In a new video aimed at the European market, Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about how “privacy is a fundamental human right” that his company works hard to embed into every new product it makes. The six-minute video comprises various clips from Apple’s recent Worldwide Developers Conference related to the topic of privacy. Cook also recorded new bookends in which he shares some of his own thoughts.

Check it out below.

App Store spending booms on Christmas Day in Europe

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TikTok continues to dominate the App Store in 2020.
The App Store had a great day December 25.
Photo: Kon Karampelas/Unsplash CC

For many people, Christmas was a bit more of a subdued affair in 2020 than in other years. But things were far from subdued in the App Store. According to new figures published by Sensor Tower, spending on mobile apps hit a big high point on Christmas Day in Europe.

The iOS App Store accounted for 60% of total app spending, adding up to almost $32.7 million on Christmas Day alone. That’s a massive 39% increase year-over-year. Android, by comparison, rose 17.4% year-over-year to hit $22 million on December 25.

Disney+ racks up 5 million downloads on launch day in Europe

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disney.plus.uk.2
Disney+ has finally landed in the UK.
Photo: Apple

The Disney+ mobile app is off to a roaring start in Europe and the UK just days after it launched earlier this week.

Third-party app analytics firm App Annie revealed that the Disney+ app has been downloaded over 5 million times on launch day, possibly thanks to millions of residents having to shelter-in-place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

YouTube, Amazon Prime Video follow Netflix in throttling video quality throughout Europe [Update]

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YouTube and Amazon Prime Video cut streaming bitrates in Europe.
YouTube and Amazon Prime Video cut streaming bitrates in Europe.
Image: Brad Gibson/Cult of Mac

YouTube and Amazon Prime Video confirmed Friday they will will start throttling video quality in Europe in an effort to reduce the strain on network infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The temporary measure will see all YouTube videos displayed in standard definition by default, though, it is still be possible for viewers to select a higher resolution.

Apple Maps transit directions expand reach across Europe

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iOS 9 transit maps
Now live in France, Germany, Spain, and more.
Photo: Apple

Apple Maps transit directions are now expanding their reach across Europe.

The feature was previously available in only a handful of regions outside the United States. It can now be enjoyed in cities across France, Germany, and Spain as part of Apple’s mission to improve functionality for Europe in 2020.

European Commission could get even tougher on tech in 2020

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European Commission could get even tougher on tech in 2020
Tech giants might be in trouble next year.
Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The European Commission famously handed Apple a massive $14.5 billion bill in 2016. But from the sound of things it’s only going to get tougher with Silicon Valley’s biggest tech giants.

According to a new report, EU antitrust regulators are “considering taking a tougher line” against companies. This could affect the likes of Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google.

Apple Pay expands its reach to more banks across Europe

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ING-Apple-Pay
ING in Germany is finally ready for Apple Pay.
Photo: ING

Apple Pay is now supported by a number of new banks across Europe.

Bunq in Austria, ING in Germany, and ABN AMRO in the Netherlands have all adopted Apple’s mobile payments service. Phyre in Bulgaria and two banks in the Czech Republic are also in on the action.

Privacy-pushing iPhone billboards arrive in Europe

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iPhone-billboard-Germany
"Reveals as little about Hamburgers as hamburgers."
Photo: Macerkopf

Billboards promoting iPhone’s strict approach to privacy have now made their way to Europe.

Apple fans started noticing the ads in Germany today after they popped up in the U.S. and Canada earlier this year. Each features a clever, location-based tagline that sends one clear message.

iWork, Office and Google Docs banned from German schools

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iWork
iWork could expose user data to U.S. authorities.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s iWork platform has been banned from German schools alongside Microsoft Office 365 and Google Docs.

Privacy regulators say that using the cloud-based services “exposes personal information about students and teachers.” They also suggest that the data might be accessed by U.S. authorities.

Team Rocket hot air balloon signals Pokémon Go arrival

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Pokémon GO’s best year yet shows novelty doesn't have to wear off
Pokémon GO’s best year yet shows novelty doesn't have to wear off
Photo: The Pokémon Company

A Team Rocket hot air balloon flown over Dortmund, Germany, this week all but confirms the evil gang’s imminent arrival in Pokémon Go.

Emblazoned with a Team Rocket logo, the balloon appeared on day one of Europe’s first ever Pokémon Go Fest. It’s the latest in a number of teasers Niantic has put out to signal Team Rocket’s introduction.

But what will it mean for Pokémon Go?

iPads help refugee children learn new languages

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Students learn German language on iPad
iPad helps students in Germany learn a new language.
Photo: Apple

Teachers in Europe dealing with a flood of refugees are successfully teaching children new languages with iPads.

After a school in Germany gave every student in its German-as-a-second-language program an Apple tablet, the graduation rate rose to 100 percent.

Apple Watch 4 with LTE expands its reach across Europe

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Man’s brand new Apple Watch turns out to be toilet plunger
Man’s brand new Apple Watch turns out to be toilet plunger
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch Series 4 with LTE connectivity is now available in Austria and Finland for the first time. You can order yours from Apple or select carrier partners, with prices starting at €529.

Apple’s newest wearable will also arrive in Israel later this week.

Apple cancels plans for new Denmark data center

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Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Apple adds 5 new vice presidents to its executive lineup
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple has canceled plans to build a second data center in Aabenraa, Denmark.

The news comes two months after construction was halted at another site in Denmark over an alleged dispute between Apple and main contractor Exyte. Apple is now looking to sell the 700 acres of land it owns.

Apple Pay is soon coming to 16 new markets

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Apple Pay Terminal
¡Es inminente!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple Pay is on its way to 16 new markets, according to one mobile banking service.

Apple plans to increase the total number of supported countries to 40 by the end of 2019. Here’s the full list of territories that are next in line for its mobile payments service.

Apple Pay is about to spread its reach across Europe

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Apple Pay Terminal
¡Es inminente!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple Pay is on its way to seven new markets across Europe.

A number of banks serving Greece, Portugal, and other territories have already confirmed their support for the service. The launch is “coming soon,” but a more specific date hasn’t been announced just yet.

Apple will pay France $571 million in back taxes

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Apple France tax
Apple's tax bill in France will be deductible.
Illustration: Cult of Mac

Apple has agreed to pay French authorities around $571 million in back taxes, according to new reports.

Apple today confirmed the deal but did not disclose the sum itself. The agreement comes after a multi-year audit into Apple’s accounts by the French tax administration.

Apple Pay on its way to Germany this week

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Apple Pay Germany
Guten tag, Apple Pay!
Photo: Apple

Apple Pay will finally make its debut in Germany this week, according to a new report.

Tim Cook previously promised that the mobile payments service would be available in Germany by the end of the year, while local webpages were recently updated to confirm it is “coming soon.”

Ka-ching! Apple Pay Cash could arrive in Europe soon

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Apple Pay
Sending money from your iPhone is about to get a lot easier in Europe.
Photo: Apple

Apple Pay Cash could be ready to make its debut in Europe.

Screens invited users to set up Apple’s peer-to-peer payments service have started popping up on devices on the other side of the Atlantic this week. Apple has also started publishing Apple Pay Cash support pages in European countries.

Instapaper’s new Premium plan goes live on return to Europe

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Instapaper punishes its European users use
Instapaper Premium unlocks awesome features.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Instapaper has finally returned to Europe following a GDPR blackout, and users can now subscribe to its new Premium plan to unlock additional features.

The service was pulled in the E.U. following the introduction of new data protection regulations, but now it’s fully compliant and ready to do business again. Here’s what you can expect if you upgrade with a Premium subscription.