“We think it is entirely appropriate for Congress to take a closer look at Apple’s business practices,” Mr. Prober mentioned.
Apple has confronted scrutiny in recent times for its strict control over its App Store, together with Apple’s observe of forcing apps to make use of its fee system, which permits it to gather a fee of as much as 30 p.c on many app gross sales.
That coverage has fueled a multibillion-dollar enterprise, but in addition introduced Apple regulatory headaches, together with Wednesday’s listening to and legislative fights in several states. Next month, Apple is ready to face off in a trial against Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, which is suing Apple over its App Store insurance policies.
As a part of its bulletins on Tuesday, Apple mentioned it was redesigning its podcast app, which now gives tens of millions of reveals, up from 3,000 when Apple launched the service 16 years in the past. Starting subsequent month, creators can promote subscriptions to their podcasts, Apple mentioned. It was unclear if Apple would take a lower of these gross sales, however that has been its strategy when pushing into new industries, together with in apps, music and information.
The subscription service will put Apple in much more direct competitors with Spotify, which has been working by itself podcast subscriptions. Spotify has been a number one critic of Apple in recent times. The music service’s enterprise relies upon up reaching listeners by way of iPhones, placing the corporate at Apple’s whim. Spotify has filed antitrust complaints in opposition to Apple in Europe and has complained concerning the firm to American regulators.
Apple additionally confirmed off a collection of slimmer, sooner and extra colourful iMacs. The desktop computer systems, which have 24-inch screens, vary in worth from $1,300 to $1,700. Apple additionally unveiled its new iPad Pro, its top-of-the-line pill, with a sharper display screen, sooner speeds and the power to hook up with 5G wi-fi networks. The iPad will value between $800 and $1,100.
Apple’s different bulletins on Tuesday included an replace to its branded bank card that will enable spouses to construct credit score collectively, and enhancements to its Apple TV gadgets, reminiscent of a brand new distant and sooner processor that may make video play extra easily.
