| Cult of Mac

Apple’s adjusted App Store algorithm handicaps its own apps

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App Store
Apple apps no longer dominate App Store search results.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s recently-adjusted App Store algorithm prevents too many of its own apps from dominating search results.

The change, which followed Spotify’s complaint regarding “unfair” App Store practices several months, handicaps Apple titles and has had a huge impact since being introduced.

Tim Cook doesn’t censor Apple TV+ shows

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Apple TV+ could have 26 million paying subs by 2025; 2.6 million currently
Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t telling the people creating Apple TV+ shows how to do their jobs.
Photo: Apple

Eddy Cue, Apple’s point man on music, video and other service offerings, denies reports that he and Tim Cook are forcing the producers of Apple TV+ shows make them all squeaky clean and family friendly.

Instead, he says the intent is to create a broad array of offerings for its upcoming streaming video service, including ones for “mature adults.”

Eddy Cue insists Apple’s TV streaming service isn’t too late

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Eddy Cue
Eddy Cue is the boss of Apple's Services division.
Photo: CNBC

Apple has some big designs on television with its Apple TV+ service. But Eddy Cue, SVP of Internet Software and Services, admits the company didn’t have much expertise on the subject of TV when it started its latest project.

That’s now changed, Cue says, and Apple is focused on “creating the best” content possible. And he doesn’t think it’s left it too late, either.

’Hundreds’ working to make Apple News+ best for magazines

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Apple News+
News+ has become a big focus for Apple.
Photo: Apple

Apple has “hundreds” of people working to make Apple News+ the best place to read your favorite magazines.

The company has received lots of “great feedback” from many of its publishing partners, it revealed today. And some of them have special things planned for upcoming issues designed especially for Apple News+.

Inside Apple’s failed negotiations with NYT and WaPo

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Apple News+ trial
Some aren't happy with Apple's tactics.
Photo: Apple

Apple put a ton of pressure on The New York Times and Washington Post to join Apple News+ before the new service was unveiled at a media event last week.

Details have surfaced of Apple’s negotiations with the two major publishers, revealing Apple media boss Eddy Cue was adamant about getting the two papers on board. Both companies declined Apple’s offer, but the New York Times’ COO hinted that the newspaper of record could possibly join the service in the future.

Apple’s ‘Sports Ball’ team could change the way you watch games

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Eddy Cue had the best seats in the house to watch the Warrior's comeback.
Eddy Cue is one of the biggest sports fans at Apple.
Photo: SF Chronicle/Twitter

Apple appears to be planning to become a bigger influence in the world of watching sports as it prepares to announce its TV streaming service next week.

The iPhone-maker invited Sports Illustrated inside its geeky “Sports Ball Room” where a team of employees track pretty much every major and minor sports game in progress. While competitors like Facebook and Amazon are pursuing exclusive rights to air certain games, Apple is taking a different approach. It wants to curate all the must-see moments and alert subscribers when they’re happening.

Apple video service might force Disney CEO out of board seat

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Bob Iger
Disney Chairman and CEO, Robert A. Iger.
Photo: (Disney/ABC/ Heidi Gutman)

Disney CEO Bob Iger’s seat on Apple’s board of directors might be at risk as both companies pursue video streaming services.

Apple hasn’t asked Iger to step down yet, but a new report shines light on what could soon become a very conflicted relationship. Disney and Apple have enjoyed close ties ever since Disney bought Pixar from Steve Jobs. Now it looks like the two companies are about to become close rivals.

Apple plans to give away its $1 billion TV shows

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Apple TV
Apple is loading up with original content.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new TV streaming service will allegedly debut in early 2019 — and all those original Apple TV shows won’t cost customers anything, according to a recent report.

Despite planning to spend more than $1 billion on original content this year, Apple will supposedly give away its original content to customers that already own an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV.