The Vergecast Starlink, Epic v. Apple, and laptops laptops laptops
May 14, 2021
This week features Adi Robertson, a tech reporter focused on the Epic v. Apple trial, and Monica Chin, a consumer electronics specialist. They dive into the courtroom drama of Epic's fight against Apple's app dominance, including bizarre definitions of games. Monica shares insights on the latest laptop innovations like Intel's Tiger Lake chips and ASUS's latest models. They also discuss the challenges and potential of Starlink in transforming internet access, giving listeners valuable perspectives on tech's impact on daily life.
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Epic v. Apple
- Apple takes a 30% cut of in-app purchases, a rule Epic Games (Fortnite) wishes to change.
- Epic implemented its own payment system, leading Apple to remove Fortnite from the App Store, prompting Epic's antitrust lawsuit.
The Banana Debate
- During the trial's second week, discussions revolved around defining the relevant market.
- A humorous point of contention arose regarding the classification of a banana character, "Peely," from Fortnite.
Apple's Content Moderation Paradox
- Apple's argument for controlling app content is inconsistent, given the accessibility of explicit content through Safari.
- This inconsistency undermines their justification for strict content moderation within apps.
