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Epic Games says Apple’s new install process cuts user drop-offs by 60% | TechCrunch

Epic Games says Apple’s new install process cuts user drop-offs by 60% | TechCrunch

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Fortnite maker Epic Games said that Apple’s new installation workflow, implemented in iOS 18.6, has had a positive impact on its user growth, with a 60% decrease in drop-offs.

Apple started allowing EU users to install alternative marketplaces earlier this year under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). At that time, the installation process was lengthier and involved multiple “scare screens” — warnings about the potential dangers of installing apps from sources other than the App Store.

Image Credits: Epic Games

Developers complained that Apple’s tactics resulted in people abandoning the installation process. Earlier this year, the EU slapped a $568 million fine on Apple for not complying with DMA rules.

In July, Apple released a new process for installing third-party app marketplaces on iPhones with iOS 18.6. The new process includes only one screen showing users that they might miss some features, such as subscription management offered by the App Store. The screen also informs users that the alternative app store’s developer will handle their data directly.

Epic Games said that prior to the iOS 18.6 update, 65% of users attempting to install its game store abandoned the process. However, after the update, that figure dropped to 25%. The company noted that this drop rate is closer to the rate it observes with Windows and macOS users installing its game store.

An image with a chart showing drop off rates of users who are trying to install the Epic Games store on iOS and Android.
Image Credits: Epic Games

Despite this improvement, the company remains critical of Apple’s policies, including charging a core technology fee, imposing notarization and approval policies, and implementing rules that make it difficult for developers to distribute their apps through alternative app stores.

New Installation process after iOS 18.6 rollout Image Credits: Epic

Epic Games repeated an argument from its lawsuit against the iPhone maker: that Apple allows users more freedom to install apps from outside the App Store on Mac computers. During that lawsuit, Apple’s SVP of software, Craig Federighi, said that if the company allowed the same level of freedom on iOS as on Macs, the platform would be overrun by malware.

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Apple is not the only company Epic Games is battling. Epic Games is also criticizing Google for having a lengthy process for installing third-party app stores, along with screens that warn users against installing apps from unknown sources. The gaming company said that Google misleads users by suggesting that apps from competitors like Epic Games might be harmful.

An images with multiple screenshots showing the beginning of the process of installing a third-party app store on Android.
Image Credits: Epic Games

Last year, a court in the U.S. ordered Google to open up the Play Store and allow third-party app stores. In July, the search giant lost its appeal against the decision.

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range of accessories, but my favorite is the dual battery system. This $850 system isn’t cheap, but it adds another battery to the frame, which ups the range by another 40 miles. If you’re not taking this bike on long rides, it may not be worth the expense, but I appreciated the chance to maximize its range.

The rest of the accessory line focuses on storage. These include a cool in-frame rack, front and rear racks and boxes, and, for the beach bums, a very cool surfboard rack that mounts your board on the side of the bike.

Rough Ride

Image may contain Machine Wheel Spoke Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware Monitor Screen and Escooter

Photograph: Billy Brown

The H/T comes with five levels of pedal assist, but I mostly used the throttle, partly because I’m lazy and partly because the pedal-assist response could be wildly inconsistent. For levels 1 through 3, the pedal assist was smooth; it just felt like a little boost to my pedaling. On levels 4 and 5, however, the bike seemed to jerk forward every time I pressed down on the pedal. It felt more like my bike was leaping forward rather than assisting, to the point that I almost wobbled off the bike the first time I tried level 5. If you’re a chronic pedaler who’s looking for a more traditional cycling experience, this may not be the bike for you.

#Finally #Ebike #Doesnt #Dorkyreviews,review,outdoors,bicycles,shopping,electric bikes,commuter bikes">I Finally Found an Ebike That Doesn’t Look DorkyThe handling at that top speed was excellent. Thanks to the comfortable upright position and frame geometry, cruising along at 28 miles per hour felt smooth and comfortable. Turning at speed and quickly adjusting to avoid a pothole was also easy and smooth, even when I was gunning the throttle. The thrill of riding fast on the H/T comes from the exhilaration of speed, not the fear of losing control.I appreciate that there’s no app to go along with the H/T. It makes hopping on the bike and going for a ride feel much more natural than it does with the app-controlled bikes I’ve tested. The handlebar-mounted screen is also very intuitive and easy to use, and it has a personal passcode for added security. There’s also a USB-C charging port if you decide to get a handlebar mount for your phone. The bike has a front daytime running light that automatically brightens when the sun goes down, two front and rear turn signal lights, and a brake light. The front and rear hydraulic disc brakes are responsive and have excellent stopping power.Add OnsIt’s easy to customize the bike and add utility. Pedal offers a range of accessories, but my favorite is the dual battery system. This 0 system isn’t cheap, but it adds another battery to the frame, which ups the range by another 40 miles. If you’re not taking this bike on long rides, it may not be worth the expense, but I appreciated the chance to maximize its range.The rest of the accessory line focuses on storage. These include a cool in-frame rack, front and rear racks and boxes, and, for the beach bums, a very cool surfboard rack that mounts your board on the side of the bike.Rough RidePhotograph: Billy BrownThe H/T comes with five levels of pedal assist, but I mostly used the throttle, partly because I’m lazy and partly because the pedal-assist response could be wildly inconsistent. For levels 1 through 3, the pedal assist was smooth; it just felt like a little boost to my pedaling. On levels 4 and 5, however, the bike seemed to jerk forward every time I pressed down on the pedal. It felt more like my bike was leaping forward rather than assisting, to the point that I almost wobbled off the bike the first time I tried level 5. If you’re a chronic pedaler who’s looking for a more traditional cycling experience, this may not be the bike for you.#Finally #Ebike #Doesnt #Dorkyreviews,review,outdoors,bicycles,shopping,electric bikes,commuter bikes

, but my favorite is the dual battery system. This $850 system isn’t cheap, but it adds another battery to the frame, which ups the range by another 40 miles. If you’re not taking this bike on long rides, it may not be worth the expense, but I appreciated the chance to maximize its range.

The rest of the accessory line focuses on storage. These include a cool in-frame rack, front and rear racks and boxes, and, for the beach bums, a very cool surfboard rack that mounts your board on the side of the bike.

Rough Ride

Image may contain Machine Wheel Spoke Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware Monitor Screen and Escooter

Photograph: Billy Brown

The H/T comes with five levels of pedal assist, but I mostly used the throttle, partly because I’m lazy and partly because the pedal-assist response could be wildly inconsistent. For levels 1 through 3, the pedal assist was smooth; it just felt like a little boost to my pedaling. On levels 4 and 5, however, the bike seemed to jerk forward every time I pressed down on the pedal. It felt more like my bike was leaping forward rather than assisting, to the point that I almost wobbled off the bike the first time I tried level 5. If you’re a chronic pedaler who’s looking for a more traditional cycling experience, this may not be the bike for you.

#Finally #Ebike #Doesnt #Dorkyreviews,review,outdoors,bicycles,shopping,electric bikes,commuter bikes">I Finally Found an Ebike That Doesn’t Look Dorky

The handling at that top speed was excellent. Thanks to the comfortable upright position and frame geometry, cruising along at 28 miles per hour felt smooth and comfortable. Turning at speed and quickly adjusting to avoid a pothole was also easy and smooth, even when I was gunning the throttle. The thrill of riding fast on the H/T comes from the exhilaration of speed, not the fear of losing control.

I appreciate that there’s no app to go along with the H/T. It makes hopping on the bike and going for a ride feel much more natural than it does with the app-controlled bikes I’ve tested. The handlebar-mounted screen is also very intuitive and easy to use, and it has a personal passcode for added security. There’s also a USB-C charging port if you decide to get a handlebar mount for your phone. The bike has a front daytime running light that automatically brightens when the sun goes down, two front and rear turn signal lights, and a brake light. The front and rear hydraulic disc brakes are responsive and have excellent stopping power.

Add Ons

It’s easy to customize the bike and add utility. Pedal offers a range of accessories, but my favorite is the dual battery system. This $850 system isn’t cheap, but it adds another battery to the frame, which ups the range by another 40 miles. If you’re not taking this bike on long rides, it may not be worth the expense, but I appreciated the chance to maximize its range.

The rest of the accessory line focuses on storage. These include a cool in-frame rack, front and rear racks and boxes, and, for the beach bums, a very cool surfboard rack that mounts your board on the side of the bike.

Rough Ride

Image may contain Machine Wheel Spoke Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware Monitor Screen and Escooter

Photograph: Billy Brown

The H/T comes with five levels of pedal assist, but I mostly used the throttle, partly because I’m lazy and partly because the pedal-assist response could be wildly inconsistent. For levels 1 through 3, the pedal assist was smooth; it just felt like a little boost to my pedaling. On levels 4 and 5, however, the bike seemed to jerk forward every time I pressed down on the pedal. It felt more like my bike was leaping forward rather than assisting, to the point that I almost wobbled off the bike the first time I tried level 5. If you’re a chronic pedaler who’s looking for a more traditional cycling experience, this may not be the bike for you.

#Finally #Ebike #Doesnt #Dorkyreviews,review,outdoors,bicycles,shopping,electric bikes,commuter bikes

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once famously said a touchscreen MacBook was never going to happen, but that was a long time ago, and things are changing.

A leaker known as Instant Digital, known for some eerily accurate Apple-related predictions, seemed certain about it in a recent Weibo post (via MacRumors).

“It’s 100% confirmed that the MacBook screen will be touch-enabled,” he wrote.

The leaker did not add any other details, so we don’t know which version of the MacBook is getting the touchscreen, nor when this is supposed to happen. But the post builds on previous reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, with both previously stating that Apple is working on a touchscreen variant of the MacBook.

Rumors about such a device have circulated for years, though, and nothing ever came to fruition. Gurman’s report dates February 2026, and back then he said the initial batch of touch-enabled Macs are coming “this fall.” Gurman said the company would be pretty lax about the touchscreen, allowing the users to use it as much or as little they’d like, instead of positioning the Mac as a better version of the iPad.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s WWDC 2026 recap: What did Apple announce?

Apple is also rumored to launch a high-end “MacBook Ultra” later this year; this top-of-the-line device should come with Apple’s most powerful chips, an OLED display, and it might be the first one to be touch-enabled.

#Apples #touchscreen #MacBook #happening #report #claims">Apple’s touchscreen MacBook is definitely happening, report claims Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once famously said a touchscreen MacBook was never going to happen, but that was a long time ago, and things are changing. A leaker known as Instant Digital, known for some eerily accurate Apple-related predictions, seemed certain about it in a recent Weibo post (via MacRumors). “It’s 100% confirmed that the MacBook screen will be touch-enabled,” he wrote. Mashable Light Speed The leaker did not add any other details, so we don’t know which version of the MacBook is getting the touchscreen, nor when this is supposed to happen. But the post builds on previous reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, with both previously stating that Apple is working on a touchscreen variant of the MacBook. Rumors about such a device have circulated for years, though, and nothing ever came to fruition. Gurman’s report dates February 2026, and back then he said the initial batch of touch-enabled Macs are coming “this fall.” Gurman said the company would be pretty lax about the touchscreen, allowing the users to use it as much or as little they’d like, instead of positioning the Mac as a better version of the iPad. SEE ALSO: Apple’s WWDC 2026 recap: What did Apple announce? Apple is also rumored to launch a high-end “MacBook Ultra” later this year; this top-of-the-line device should come with Apple’s most powerful chips, an OLED display, and it might be the first one to be touch-enabled. #Apples #touchscreen #MacBook #happening #report #claims

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once famously said a touchscreen MacBook was never going to happen, but that was a long time ago, and things are changing.

A leaker known as Instant Digital, known for some eerily accurate Apple-related predictions, seemed certain about it in a recent Weibo post (via MacRumors).

“It’s 100% confirmed that the MacBook screen will be touch-enabled,” he wrote.

The leaker did not add any other details, so we don’t know which version of the MacBook is getting the touchscreen, nor when this is supposed to happen. But the post builds on previous reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, with both previously stating that Apple is working on a touchscreen variant of the MacBook.

Rumors about such a device have circulated for years, though, and nothing ever came to fruition. Gurman’s report dates February 2026, and back then he said the initial batch of touch-enabled Macs are coming “this fall.” Gurman said the company would be pretty lax about the touchscreen, allowing the users to use it as much or as little they’d like, instead of positioning the Mac as a better version of the iPad.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s WWDC 2026 recap: What did Apple announce?

Apple is also rumored to launch a high-end “MacBook Ultra” later this year; this top-of-the-line device should come with Apple’s most powerful chips, an OLED display, and it might be the first one to be touch-enabled.

#Apples #touchscreen #MacBook #happening #report #claims">Apple’s touchscreen MacBook is definitely happening, report claims

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once famously said a touchscreen MacBook was never going to happen, but that was a long time ago, and things are changing.

A leaker known as Instant Digital, known for some eerily accurate Apple-related predictions, seemed certain about it in a recent Weibo post (via MacRumors).

“It’s 100% confirmed that the MacBook screen will be touch-enabled,” he wrote.

The leaker did not add any other details, so we don’t know which version of the MacBook is getting the touchscreen, nor when this is supposed to happen. But the post builds on previous reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, with both previously stating that Apple is working on a touchscreen variant of the MacBook.

Rumors about such a device have circulated for years, though, and nothing ever came to fruition. Gurman’s report dates February 2026, and back then he said the initial batch of touch-enabled Macs are coming “this fall.” Gurman said the company would be pretty lax about the touchscreen, allowing the users to use it as much or as little they’d like, instead of positioning the Mac as a better version of the iPad.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s WWDC 2026 recap: What did Apple announce?

Apple is also rumored to launch a high-end “MacBook Ultra” later this year; this top-of-the-line device should come with Apple’s most powerful chips, an OLED display, and it might be the first one to be touch-enabled.

#Apples #touchscreen #MacBook #happening #report #claims

Amazon’s rolling out a free software update for Echo Hub devices that gives the home screen a much-needed update to the interface it launched with in 2024. It had already added Alex Plus AI support, but the new interface has a cleaner, fully customizable layout that fits more smart home info and controls on the screen than the previous version.

A small touchscreen tablet on a counter next to some flowers.

The Echo Hub is also getting access to Ring AI’s Video Search feature that lets you use natural language to search through your smart home camera footage, as well as Alexa Plus summaries of detected camera events.

These are the five new features Amazon highlighted for the Echo Hub:

Organize by r …

Read the full story at The Verge.

#Amazons #Echo #Hub #customizable #Rings #featuresAmazon,Amazon Alexa,News,Smart Home,Tech">Amazon’s Echo Hub gets a customizable new look and Ring’s AI features Amazon’s rolling out a free software update for Echo Hub devices that gives the home screen a much-needed update to the interface it launched with in 2024. It had already added Alex Plus AI support, but the new interface has a cleaner, fully customizable layout that fits more smart home info and controls on the screen than the previous version. The Echo Hub is also getting access to Ring AI’s Video Search feature that lets you use natural language to search through your smart home camera footage, as well as Alexa Plus summaries of detected camera events. These are the five new features Amazon highlighted for the Echo Hub: Organize by r … Read the full story at The Verge.#Amazons #Echo #Hub #customizable #Rings #featuresAmazon,Amazon Alexa,News,Smart Home,Tech

it launched with in 2024. It had already added Alex Plus AI support, but the new interface has a cleaner, fully customizable layout that fits more smart home info and controls on the screen than the previous version.

A small touchscreen tablet on a counter next to some flowers.

The Echo Hub is also getting access to Ring AI’s Video Search feature that lets you use natural language to search through your smart home camera footage, as well as Alexa Plus summaries of detected camera events.

These are the five new features Amazon highlighted for the Echo Hub:

Organize by r …

Read the full story at The Verge.

#Amazons #Echo #Hub #customizable #Rings #featuresAmazon,Amazon Alexa,News,Smart Home,Tech">Amazon’s Echo Hub gets a customizable new look and Ring’s AI features
Amazon’s Echo Hub gets a customizable new look and Ring’s AI features Amazon’s rolling out a free software update for Echo Hub devices that gives the home screen a much-needed update to the interface it launched with in 2024. It had already added Alex Plus AI support, but the new interface has a cleaner, fully customizable layout that fits more smart home info and controls on the screen than the previous version. The Echo Hub is also getting access to Ring AI’s Video Search feature that lets you use natural language to search through your smart home camera footage, as well as Alexa Plus summaries of detected camera events. These are the five new features Amazon highlighted for the Echo Hub: Organize by r … Read the full story at The Verge.#Amazons #Echo #Hub #customizable #Rings #featuresAmazon,Amazon Alexa,News,Smart Home,Tech

Amazon’s rolling out a free software update for Echo Hub devices that gives the home screen a much-needed update to the interface it launched with in 2024. It had already added Alex Plus AI support, but the new interface has a cleaner, fully customizable layout that fits more smart home info and controls on the screen than the previous version.

A small touchscreen tablet on a counter next to some flowers.

The Echo Hub is also getting access to Ring AI’s Video Search feature that lets you use natural language to search through your smart home camera footage, as well as Alexa Plus summaries of detected camera events.

These are the five new features Amazon highlighted for the Echo Hub:

Organize by r …

Read the full story at The Verge.

#Amazons #Echo #Hub #customizable #Rings #featuresAmazon,Amazon Alexa,News,Smart Home,Tech

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