Top Stories: Epic Games vs. Apple, iPhone 12 Rumors, 'Apple One' Bundles

[MacRumors]

The biggest story of this week was the blow-up between Apple and Epic Games, with Google also getting involved in the dispute. In brief, Epic remotely updated Fornite to offer an option to bypass Apple's in-app purchase mechanism, leading Apple to pull Fortnite from the App Store. Epic was ready, though, and launched a lawsuit and PR campaign to fight back.

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Other stories this week included rumors about launch timing for the iPhone 12, Apple Watch Series 6, and new iPads, as well as the possibility of a cheaper LTE-only iPhone 12 model in early 2021.

There were several other big stories from this week, so make sure to watch our video above and check out our roundup below for all of the details!

Apple Removes Fortnite From App Store After Epic Games Introduces Direct Payment Option

Just hours after Epic Games introduced a direct payment option in the Fortnite app for iOS and Android, Apple removed the game from the App Store.

The direct payment option allowed players to purchase 1,000 V-Bucks — Fortnite's in-game currency — for $7.99 rather than $9.99 through Apple's in-app purchase mechanism. The move was seemingly intentional in defiance of Apple's App Store Review Guidelines, with developer Epic Games calling Apple's 30 percent fee on in-app purchases "exorbitant."

The saga has quickly escalated, with Epic Games filing a lawsuit against Apple in California, referring to Apple as a "monopoly power" and accusing the iPhone maker of "unfair and anti-competitive actions." Google likewise removed Fortnite from the Google Play store, leading Epic Games to also file suit against Google.

To get up to speed, check out our timeline overview of the dispute that began as a slow burn but has quickly escalated.

Rumor: Apple Watch Series 6 and iPads Launching in September, iPhone 12 Event to Take Place in October

While new iPhones are usually announced in September, 2020 has been anything but an ordinary year, so it should come as no surprise that Apple's plans will apparently be a little different this fall.

According to leaker Jon Prosser, who has a mixed track record, Apple plans to announce Apple Watch Series 6 models and at least one new iPad model during the second week of September. These products would be announced via press release on the Apple Newsroom.

Apple will still host its annual iPhone event, but during the second week of October, according to Prosser. iPhone 12 models would become available to pre-order within a few days of the event, while iPhone 12 Pro orders would begin in November, based on his information.

Apple is widely expected to announce four ‌iPhone 12‌ models this year, including a 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch models, and a 6.7-inch model, all with OLED displays, 5G, and a flat-edged design. While new iPhones usually begin shipping in late September, Apple recently indicated that supply will be available "a few weeks later" this year.

Apple to Launch Bundled Subscription Services Called 'Apple One'

Apple has been rumored for some time to be considering bundling some of its subscription services together, and a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman provides some new details including a potential October launch.

Apple will reportedly offer several tiers of bundles, known internally as "Apple One," starting with a basic package of Apple Music and Apple TV+. Higher tiers would add Apple Arcade, Apple News+ and iCloud storage. Family Sharing will be supported with the bundles, and they should save subscribers anywhere from $2 to upwards of $5 per month over subscribing to the services individually.

Separately, Apple appears to be on the verge of launching a new bundle of CBS All Access and Showtime through its Apple TV Channels service in the Apple TV app. The bundle will be exclusive to Apple TV+ subscribers, who will be able to receive access to both CBS All Access and Showtime for a total of $9.99 month, just over 50% off the price of subscribing to both individually.

Apple May Release 4G-Only iPhone 12 in Early 2021

Looking beyond the fall season, Wedbush Securities analysts this week said that Apple may release a cheaper iPhone 12 in early 2021 with 4G LTE only instead of 5G like the rest of the lineup.

The analysts believe that this iPhone 12 model could launch around February and perhaps start at $799, but pricing remains guesswork.

The device could also sport fewer cameras and cheaper materials like aluminum instead of stainless steel to keep costs down.

Apple Takes Legal Action Against Small Company With Pear Logo

Apple has taken legal action against the developers of meal planning app "Prepear" due to its pear-shaped logo, which apparently looks too similar to its own.

In an Instagram post, Prepear claimed that Apple "has decided to oppose and go after our small business' trademark saying our pear logo is too close to their apple logo and supposedly hurts their brand." The post goes on to describe the action as "a big blow to us at Prepear," and sets out its intentions to defend the logo and "send a message to big tech companies that bullying small businesses has consequences."

A petition on Change.org titled "Save the Pear from Apple" has already received over 70,000 signatures from supporters.

iPad Pro Keyboard Comparison: Logitech's $160 Folio Touch vs. Apple's $300 Magic Keyboard

Logitech recently debuted the Folio Touch, a $160 keyboard and trackpad case designed for the 11-inch iPad Pro that serves as a cheaper alternative to Apple's $300 Magic Keyboard.

In one of our latest YouTube videos, we compared the Folio Touch to the Magic Keyboard to see which one is better, and we also did a full review of the Folio Touch. There are some perks to the Magic Keyboard like a USB-C port, but at $160, the Folio Touch is definitely worth considering for those who are looking for an ‌iPad Pro‌ keyboard.

Apple Releases iOS 13.6.1 With Fix for Storage Issue and Green Tinted Displays

Apple this week released iOS 13.6.1 and iPadOS 13.6.1, minor bug fix updates that address a thermal management issue that caused some iPhone displays to exhibit a green tint, an issue where unneeded system data files might not be automatically deleted when available storage is low, and an issue where Exposure Notifications could be disabled for some users.

This week saw a few other software releases, including a public beta for watchOS 7 and a macOS Catalina Supplemental Update.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Article Link: Top Stories: Epic Games vs. Apple, iPhone 12 Rumors, 'Apple One' Bundles

 

[nylonsteel]

the cover pic has a space grey thingy on the lower right
thought it was some sort of new mac mini - thats fine since i wouldnt want that white logo on top
scrolling down on i saw the aapl one article
then bam - realized the mac mini has the same shape of the new icons for apps

 

[randomsalad]

I think Apple will have to announce some changes to the AppStore soon. I suppose they'll try to portray it as Apple's own choice.

 

[philrock]

I don't like paying more for in-app purchases but I do like knowing Apple is behind that purchase. I used to buy credits for Thumbtack on their website because it was cheaper then thru the app. It's an app by app decision though... I support Apple and Google charging the premium, would like if more apps had external purchase option though.

 

[QCassidy352]

it’s about time apple bundled some of its services offerings, though the specific implementation here isn’t something I’m interested in. It would be nice if you could pick and choose services and get a % discount off the total.

 

[rjp1]

Apple should be sued over the App Store. Remember, the App Store was not the first app store on iOS - Cydia was 6 months before Apple’s App Store! Edit: I forgot Installer.app was around a year before Apple’s App Store!

Steve Jobs wanted developers to make rich websites and we all use Safari instead of native apps.

Apple doesn’t just have a history of copying app ideas, but also the concept of apps/app store after they realized that was what people really wanted. It is extremely anti-consumer for them to be able to limit the options of where we can install our apps from.

 

[0924487]

redacted

China follows local rules when it comes to censorship, in the US and Canada, they follow local guidance. We are censoring TikTok, not China. TikTok in China is Douyin, which is completely separated and users can't see each other across platforms.

 

[0924487]

Apple should be sued over the App Store. Remember, the App Store was not the first app store on iOS - Cydia was 6 months before Apple’s App Store! Edit: I forgot Installer.app was around a year before Apple’s App Store!

Steve Jobs wanted developers to make rich websites and we all use Safari instead of native apps.

Apple doesn’t just have a history of copying app ideas, but also the concept of apps/app store after they realized that was what people really wanted. It is extremely anti-consumer for them to be able to limit the options of where we can install our apps from.

"If we make a great product (with integrated software and hardware), they will buy it; if we don't, they won't!" - Steve Jobs, in an interview along with Bill Gates.

Steve believes that consumers vote with their feet, not their voice.

 

[Mydel]

Apple should be sued over the App Store. Remember, the App Store was not the first app store on iOS - Cydia was 6 months before Apple’s App Store! Edit: I forgot Installer.app was around a year before Apple’s App Store!

Steve Jobs wanted developers to make rich websites and we all use Safari instead of native apps.

Apple doesn’t just have a history of copying app ideas, but also the concept of apps/app store after they realized that was what people really wanted. It is extremely anti-consumer for them to be able to limit the options of where we can install our apps from.

I have no issue with that. If I had I would move to Android. I would understand your argument if iOS was one and only operating system available. But it is not. I had many issues with my BMW and I just moved to different car maker...its simplified analogy as here you have basically 2 choices but I think you get an idea.

 

[Wildkraut]

Haha, Epic & Co. will win, and you know it.
Apple will be forced to allow app sideloading like macOS, and both will be forced to introduce something like MS had to do, a browser choice window and default App menu.

Welcome Steam, Epic, Origin, PlayStore,XBox Store on iOS and Android!
I‘m looking forward to it!

 

[Wildkraut]

"If we make a great product (with integrated software and hardware), they will buy it; if we don't, they won't!" - Steve Jobs, in an interview along with Bill Gates.

Steve believes that consumers vote with their feet, not their voice.

Vote with their feet? I usually use my hands for voting... maybe thats the reason he is/was wrong?
Or are you trying to say that Apple customers are like Apes?

 

[Ironman226]

What about their Epic margins which they earn on the gamers? Should gamer put them to the cours?

For hit games with significant revenue made from selling virtual goods, profit margins can be around 90%. This compares to margins of about 40% for the average successful console game. The source of the huge margin is primarily low costs.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

With or without this AppStore ban, people should keep a close watch on Epic. The world shouldn't let Chinese companies like Tencent (which owns almost 50% of stakes in Epic) take over. These Chinese companies will censor creativity and freedom.

Same with Tik Tok.

Oh the irony, complaining about Chinese lack of creativity and freedom, as the US govt bans a Chinese app, which is all about free creative expression, from running in the US.

 

[damphoose]

This is the beginning of the end of the app store as we know it.
When I said months ago that Apple would lose this fight because of perception and politics (months before the hearings), some rumor-genius said ”anti-trust laws don’t work that way”.
As long as people have been enforcing laws they have always been subject to bias of those enforcing it. Apple is in the unfortunate position that both ends of the political spectrum have them in the crosshairs in US and Europe. I expect Europe will strike first but the US will not be far behind.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

"If we make a great product (with integrated software and hardware), they will buy it; if we don't, they won't!" - Steve Jobs, in an interview along with Bill Gates.

Steve believes that consumers vote with their feet, not their voice.

The thing is, there are both great/good things, and bad things, about Apple products. But the great/good things outweigh the bad things more than they do for other companies, so we put up with the bad things because all up the Apple products are better. However, that doesn't magically make the bad things good. All the stuff you see people complaining about on MacRumours aren't because they are Apple haters, it's actually because they are frustrated Apple lovers who want to see the faults fixed and the products perfected. It's extraordinarily frustrating, because some of the faults are so woefully obvious that everyone can see them except for Apple, or because they are so obviously simply about Apple being greedy. We don't begrudge Apple making a good profit, but when Apple deliberately hobbles a product in order to maximise profits, it actually goes against one of Steve Jobs's most famous quotes: “If you keep your eye on the profit, you’re going to skimp on the product. But if you focus on making really great products, then the profits will follow.” And it leaves us wondering, would the profits actually be higher if they didn't deliberately hobble the product in order to "maximise" profits? According to Steve Jobs himself, yes!

PS - And talking about consumers voting with their feet, I'm still running a 2015 rMBP because all the newer ones have too many faults and too high a price, so I've voted with my feet and haven't spent a cent except to upgrade my non-soldered-in SSD (not bought from Apple, of course).

 

[hot-gril]

China doesn't ban Google for example, Google refused to follow local laws that apply to all companies in China, and they pulled out from the market like kids throwing a temper tantrum.

China never blocked any company because they are American or from anywhere, not a single one.

The rules Google refused to follow were to censor anti-government opinions. They stopped following them because of China's state-sponsored attacks in 2010. Then they were banned, then they pulled out.

Throwing a tantrum, or sticking to their guns? Probably neither, they're after the money and realized they'd be bullied incessantly even if they complied.

 

[hot-gril]

Vote with their feet? I usually use my hands for voting... maybe thats the reason he is/was wrong?
Or are you trying to say that Apple customers are like Apes?

Voting with your feet means to silently move to the side you prefer. I've heard it originates from one kind of voting system in Roman times where people would physically walk to one side or another.

 

[Zaratustra]

Vote with their feet? I usually use my hands for voting... maybe thats the reason he is/was wrong?
Or are you trying to say that Apple customers are like Apes?

You didn't get an analogy, I will continue the logic you try to use... Most of smart people use HEAD instead of HAND to vote, but keep going... I'm listening... ) LOL

 

[NavySilver]

Any act of curbing American business operations in China are equivalent to stabbing our own foot, surrendering any lingering soft power projections we still have in China, and allowing it to grow into a power bloc of its own in East Asia.

The fact that Chinese Americans will not be able to communicate is imo a good enough reason to reject the ban, but it seems like Americans need more perspectives on why this influences them.

 

[Tavicu]

I don’t think they will loose! Think of the AppStore as a platform like Amazon where other sellers can sell their products!
the sellers agreed to the terms of paying a fee to use the platform! Amazon needs to develop features and maintain the platform and some of the costs are covered by the fee they get from sellers!
amazon will not offer support for anything if you decide to contact the seller in private and meet at the corner!

Same thing with Apple and App Store! They developed a platform and a software for others to use and ofc all of this costs! The developers agreed to some terms and conditions and they knew about the fee since the beginning!

i found raging because developers instead of a smaller profit, they decide to put the fee in the price so the client pay it!
that should make us mad, not because Apple (or amazon, or ebay, or paypal, and so on) wants a fee to use their platform, api and sdk which costs to develop and maintain!

 

[TrevorR90]

Will be interesting to see what these tiered bundles are. I subscribe to a few Apple services and wouldn’t mind bundling to gain access to other services.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Haha, Epic & Co. will win, and you know it.
Apple will be forced to allow app sideloading like macOS, and both will be forced to introduce something like MS had to do, a browser choice window and default App menu.

Welcome Steam, Epic, Origin, PlayStore,XBox Store on iOS and Android!
I‘m looking forward to it!

Have fun looking forward to Steam, Epic, Origin, PS, and Xbox stores running background services constantly eating up your CPU and RAM just to update games.

Oh also have fun Steam constantly asking you to restart so that Steam can update itself.

Oh, have fun dealing with separate backup methods since iOS only backups data from App Store apps.

Oh and have fun dealing with Ubisoft's proprietary DRM to protect against piracy which could be malware.

Oh and, have fun paying for a subscription for Xbox to play multiplayer games online.

Oh, have fun dealing with PSN games that ask you to sign up for PS+ to store data in the cloud because PSN games can't use your iCloud storage to sync data.

And on and on...

 

[0924487]

The rules Google refused to follow were to censor anti-government opinions.

This rule is not directed to Google or America, it applies to all companies operating in China, why should Google be different? China did not single out Google and ban it.

 

[0924487]

The thing is, there are both great/good things, and bad things, about Apple products. But the great/good things outweigh the bad things more than they do for other companies, so we put up with the bad things because all up the Apple products are better. However, that doesn't magically make the bad things good. All the stuff you see people complaining about on MacRumours aren't because they are Apple haters, it's actually because they are frustrated Apple lovers who want to see the faults fixed and the products perfected. It's extraordinarily frustrating, because some of the faults are so woefully obvious that everyone can see them except for Apple, or because they are so obviously simply about Apple being greedy. We don't begrudge Apple making a good profit, but when Apple deliberately hobbles a product in order to maximise profits, it actually goes against one of Steve Jobs's most famous quotes: “If you keep your eye on the profit, you’re going to skimp on the product. But if you focus on making really great products, then the profits will follow.” And it leaves us wondering, would the profits actually be higher if they didn't deliberately hobble the product in order to "maximise" profits? According to Steve Jobs himself, yes!

PS - And talking about consumers voting with their feet, I'm still running a 2015 rMBP because all the newer ones have too many faults and too high a price, so I've voted with my feet and haven't spent a cent except to upgrade my non-soldered-in SSD (not bought from Apple, of course).

You can try the education store or the refurbished store. I'm on the rMBP15 high-spec stock 2018 version, and I think it's worth the price. I paid for EDU pricing.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Haha, Epic & Co. will win, and you know it.
Apple will be forced to allow app sideloading like macOS, and both will be forced to introduce something like MS had to do, a browser choice window and default App menu.

Welcome Steam, Epic, Origin, PlayStore,XBox Store on iOS and Android!
I‘m looking forward to it!

You can already side load on Android and Epic is suing Google. Don’t let them fool you, Epic wants higher margins on IAP not App Store democracy.