Tech News Roundup for August 24, 2020
Here are some of the stories that caught my attention over the last few days.
Tik Tok Sues Trump Administration
There isn’t much to say here, other than to note that Tik Tok has officially filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for attempting to ban US companies from transactions with Tik Tok’s parent company, ByteDance.
This was expected, and the only things I will note is that Tik Tok states that the Trump Administration has no evidence that Tik Tok presents a national security threat to the US, and provides documentation of the US government’s approval of ByteDance purchased Musical.ly, the US company that was eventually re-branded to Tik Tok.
Apple Apologies After Trying to Extort the Free WordPress App Into Adding in-app Purchases
Late on Friday news broke that Apple was not approving updates to the WordPress app on iOS because the app was not displaying the option to subscribe to WordPress premium services inside the app, which would give Apple its customary 30% cut. After a series of events, Apple was forced to backtrack and apologise, and this shows exactly how draconian Apple’s processes are.
WordPress is a free and open source platform for websites. Commonly known as a blogging platform, WordPress has actually transitioned to one of the biggest website platforms in the world. It is likely that a significant number of the websites you visit every day run on WordPress. Anyone can download the WordPress platform and install it to run on a web server, with no charge. The WordPress app allows users to manage WordPress websites from their phone or tablet.
WordPress.com is a separate entity that takes the WordPress Platform, and provides website hosting. There is a free tier, as well as a paid tier to WordPress.com, but WordPress.com is not required to use the WordPress platform or app.
Apple originally sated that the WordPress App needed to provide users an option to purchase a WordPress.com subscription in order for the app to remain in the app store, despite the fact that the WordPress app operates completely independently of the WordPress.com service.
Over the weekend, Apple backed down, and issued a non-apology apology, stating that the WordPress app previously did not comply with Apple’s rules, but it did now, so it would remain on the app store.
This is example 23498723987 of why Apple is facing lawsuits, anti-trust probes, and government investigations into its App Store policies.
Microsoft Files Documents Supporting Epic’s Fight Against Apple
Late last Week Microsoft filed court documents supporting part of Epic’s lawsuit against Apple. Microsoft does not go so far as to support Epic’s entire lawsuit, but does specifically state that the company supports Epic’s request for an injunction to maintain access to Apple’s developer program. Microsoft argues that losing this access would mean the Unreal Engine may no longer be able to function on Apple devices, both on the Mac and mobile, and that that would cause significant harm to both users and developers.
While several large companies have verbally stated their support for Epic Games’ fight against Apple, Microsoft is the first large company to put that support in official documentation to the courts.
Facebook to Require Users of Oculus VR Headsets to use Facebook Accounts
Oculus, the maker of some of the most popular VR headsets on the market today, is actually owned by Facebook, and has been since 2014. Oculus has to this point remained a relatively independent division of Facebook, doing its own thing on the side. This appears to be changing, as Facebook has announced that as of October 2020, new users of Oculus devices will be required to use a Facebook account to sign in and use the devices, and by 2023 all existing Oculus accounts will be required to be linked to a Facebook account.
This seems like a move by Facebook to boost/keep existing Facebook members engaged in the Facebook platform. As Facebook reaches saturation on active members, this may be a way for the company to make it’s active members numbers, critical for investor confidence, either stable or even increase.
This is a business move by Facebook, and one many users will be very unhappy with.
AirBnB Bans House Parties, Limits Bookings to 16 Guests to Help Fight COVID-19
AirBnB announced last week that it is banning guests from having house parties, and limiting the number of guests per booking to 16 people. This is in response to the reports that people are using AirBnB bookings to host large gatherings that contradict COVID-19 social distancing measures that are in some cases required by law.
These measures are welcome, and needed. It should be pointed out that AirBnB recently filed an Initial Public Offering, so while this move is good for the general public, it also is probably something meant to ease potential investors, and show the company takes its responsibilities seriously. This will help the stock price when it becomes available. No move is truly altruistic.