MacRumors

As expected, Nvidia has officially abandoned efforts to acquire chip maker Arm after talks reportedly "collapsed" between the two parties on Monday, according to the Financial Times.

From the paywalled report:

SoftBank and Nvidia said they had agreed to scrap the deal because of "significant regulatory challenges preventing the consummation of the transaction, despite good faith efforts by the parties."

Reports late last month suggested California-based Nvidia was edging away from its planned acquisition of the British chip company, owned by Japanese multinational Softbank, because of its failure to win approval from regulators.

In December 2021, the United States Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit to prevent Nvidia from acquiring Arm as the purchase would give Nvidia control over computing technology and designs that rival firms rely on to develop competing chips.

The FTC said that allowing the acquisition to move forward would stifle "innovative next-generation technologies" and would "unfairly undermine" Nvidia's competitors.

Nvidia is a customer of Arm and Arm has many licensing deals with Nvidia competitors, which is why it was clear from the beginning that the purchase would be subject to regulatory scrutiny. Nvidia first announced plans to purchase Arm in September 2020.

Chipmaker Qualcomm was one of the Nvidia competitors that objected to the purchase, and in February 2021, it told several regulatory bodies in the US, UK, and EU that the acquisition would allow Nvidia to become the gatekeeper for Arm's technology, preventing other chipmakers from using it.

Arm licenses its chip designs to over 500 companies, including Apple, and its architecture is used in 95 percent of the world's smartphones. Arm's hardware underpins all of Apple's custom silicon processors such as the A14 in the iPhone 12 and the M1 in the MacBook Pro, since Apple licenses the Arm instruction set.

If the proposed $66 billion dollar acquisition had gone through, it would have been the biggest sale in the history of the semiconductor industry.

Nothing, the brand from OnePlus founder Carl Pei, has announced that its Ear (1) true wireless earbuds now include Siri support, putting them on a more equal footing when compared to Apple's rival AirPods Pro.

The $99 Ear (1) feature an in-ear design, Active Noise Cancelation, transparency mode, and a charging case with Qi-compatible wireless charging and a USB-C port, although Fast pairing is supported on Android devices only.

The Ear (1) earbuds cost $150 less than Apple's ‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌, but offer many of the same features, such as the premium design, ANC, transparency mode, IPX4 water resistance, and 24 hours of battery life with the charging case. Now they offer ‌Siri‌ support, too.

Some features, like Bluetooth 5.2, three microphones per earbud, and earbud weight, are actually better on paper than ‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌, but they still lack Apple-specific features such as auto-pairing with the H1 chip.

Released in July 2021 with much marketing hype, the Ear (1) earbuds have seen impressive sales of over 400,000 units since launch. Available in black or white, they are the first Nothing product, and Nothing founder Pei has previously said that the company plans to launch a connected ecosystem of new devices that will extend far beyond the true wireless earphones.

Apple will launch its first MacBook Pro featuring a second-generation M2 Apple silicon processor at its spring event next month, according to a new supply chain report today.

DigiTimes reports that Apple's supply chain partners kept production lines running during the Lunar New Year holiday for the new ‌MacBook Pro‌, which is set to launch in "early March," according to the publication's industry sources:

Apple reportedly will release a spate of new devices in early March, including new MacBook Pro adopting the latest M2 processor, budget-level 5G iPhone SE and iPad, the sources said. Except for the processor, most other components used in the new MacBook Pro reportedly will feature almost the same specs as those for existing model featuring M1 chips, leading MacBook Pro supply chain partners to maintain production during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday to satisfy increasing demand for Mac series, the sources continued.

Although the report doesn't mention the exact size of ‌MacBook Pro‌, the only "Pro" model with the original M1 chip is the entry-level 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, and Apple is believed to be working on an updated version of this machine, which was positively received when it launched back in November 2020.

As recently as this past weekend, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman said Apple's intention is to release an updated entry-level 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with ‌M2‌ chip in 2022, but it was generally assumed that the machine would appear later in the year, after Apple finishes releasing its final Macs with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

DigiTimes' sources often provide reliable information, but the site has a mixed track record when it comes to interpreting that information and accurately deciphering Apple's plans, especially with respect to product launch timing.

Nevertheless, whenever it arrives, the next-generation entry-level ‌MacBook Pro‌ should use the same ‌‌M2‌‌ chip that the next-generation ‌MacBook Air‌ is expected to adopt, featuring the same number of CPU cores as the ‌M1‌ chip, up to 10 graphics cores, and improved performance. Gurman believes Apple will remove the Touch Bar from the new entry-level ‌MacBook Pro‌, and he expects the notebook will lack a ProMotion display.

These details have yet to be corroborated, which is why there have been questions regarding how the new entry-level machine will take the middle ground between a new ‌‌M2‌‌ ‌‌MacBook Air‌‌, also expected this year, and the current high-end ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.

At its virtual event on Tuesday, March 8, Apple is also expected to introduce new iPhone SE and iPad Air models, which are both believed to feature an A15 chip and 5G support.

Apple has acquired AI Music, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized soundtracks and adaptive music, reports Bloomberg. AI Music developed an "Infinite Music Engine" meant to create bespoke audio solutions for marketers, publishers, fitness professionals, and creative agencies.

The technology is able to generate dynamic soundtracks that change based on user interaction. Music during a workout, for example, could change based on the wearer's heartbeat, adjusting to workout intensity. AI Music described it as a feature that could allow advertisers to create audio that would match user context, like mood.

AI Music's website no longer functions, but the company's prior LinkedIn page said it was "on a mission to redefine how we create, interact and experience music."

AI Music allows brands, developers and sonic adventurers access to our intelligent music library. Our goal is to give consumers the power to choose the music they want, seamlessly edited to fit their needs or create dynamic solutions that adapt to fit their audiences.

Apple completed its purchase of the UK-based AI Music company in recent weeks. Prior to acquisition, AI Music had approximately two dozen employees, according to Bloomberg.

Apple could potentially make use of the AI Music technology in several ways. Songs that can update based on heart rhythm could be useful for Apple Fitness+, and Apple's Photos app uses royalty-free music to provide songs for photo slideshows, so on-demand generated music that matches mood could come in handy for that purpose.

The Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has fined Apple five million euros for a third consecutive week for allegedly failing to satisfy the requirements it set regarding alternative payment systems for dating apps, according to Reuters.

The ACM today said it has still not received enough information from Apple to assess whether Apple has properly complied with the order, the report states. The competition regulator will continue to fine Apple five million euros per week, up to a maximum of 50 million euros, until it finds the company has come into compliance.

Last month, the ACM said that Apple had "raised several barriers" for dating apps looking to offer alternative payment systems in the Netherlands. For example, developers must submit an entitlement request form on Apple's website, and the entitlement can only be used with a new app binary distributed solely on the App Store in the Netherlands.

The ACM said Apple is also forcing dating apps to choose between the App Store's standard in-app purchase system or alternative payment systems. The regulator said that dating apps must be able to offer both options in the Netherlands.

Apple provided additional details for dating apps wishing to offer alternative payment systems in the Netherlands last week, including that it will charge a 27% commission on transactions made in dating apps that use alternative payment systems.

Apple has appealed the ACM's order, arguing that alternative payment systems in the App Store pose privacy and security risks for customers. Apple also said it will be unable to assist customers with refund requests, subscription management, and other issues encountered when purchasing digital goods and services through alternative systems.

Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro, 8-core CPU, 512GB) has dropped to $1,749.99, down from $1,999.00. This sale price will be reflected after you add the MacBook Pro to your cart on Amazon and receive an automatic coupon worth $200.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

In total this discount reaches to $249 off the original price of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and it's a new all-time low price on this model. You can get the sale in both Silver and Space Gray color options, and both are in stock and sold by Amazon.

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.

Update: The sale quickly expired, but if it returns to Amazon we'll update this article again.

Update 2: The sale has returned, but only in Space Gray.

Update 3: The sale has expired again.

Apple's first Mac with Face ID is unlikely to be a MacBook because the technology necessary to embed the authentication hardware into a thin notebook display still doesn't exist, according to well-connected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.

Gurman's latest thoughts on the subject appeared in the Q&A section of his latest "Power On" newsletter. On whether ‌Face ID‌ will ever come to the Mac, Gurman writes:

Face ID was in the cards for the original M1 iMac. Naturally, the iMac is the thickest Mac with a built-in display since Apple's laptops have fairly thin screens. At this point, the technology to embed Face ID into the thin MacBook displays doesn't exist. So if Face ID comes to the Mac, I think it will be on an iMac or external monitor first. Apple has definitely been working on this, but time will tell if they launch it.

First shown off in 2017 with the launch of the iPhone X, Apple's ‌Face ID‌ facial recognition system has since replaced Touch ID in most of the company's subsequent iPhones and iPads, and rumors have inevitably suggested a future Mac will adopt ‌Face ID‌.

Broaching the topic in July 2021, Gurman said he believed Apple intended to launch its first Mac with ‌Face ID‌ "within a couple of years," and that Apple had initially planned to include ‌Face ID‌ in 2021's 24-inch iMac, but its inclusion was delayed because of the all-in-one machine's 2021 redesign.

There have been rumors that Apple has tested ‌Face ID‌ for its next larger ‌‌iMac‌‌, tentatively dubbed "‌iMac‌ Pro," but it is not a confirmed feature and it remains unclear whether ‌‌Face ID‌‌ will make it into the release version of the machine.

Aside from the technical limitations, there are also practical questions surrounding the implementation of ‌Face ID‌ on a Mac. For example, unlocking a Mac from sleep using ‌Face ID‌ would seem reasonably straightforward, but using it to authenticate actions like purchases would presumably mean it would have to be confirmed by a physical button press or perhaps be used in conjunction with ‌Touch ID‌.

As for ‌Face ID‌ on future iPhones, for at least some of the iPhone 14 models, Apple is working to eliminate the notch that houses the hardware needed for ‌Face ID‌. Display analyst Ross Young has said he expects to see both a pill-shaped cutout and a circular cutout on some ‌iPhone 14‌ models. The circular cutout will likely house the ‌Face ID‌ dot projector, and the pill-shaped cutout will include the front camera, ‌Face ID‌ infrared camera, and possibly other components.

In addition to the question of ‌Face ID‌ on Mac, Gurman's latest newsletter reiterated that Apple is planning to hold a virtual event on Tuesday, March 8 to introduce new iPhone SE and iPad Air models, which are both expected to feature an A15 chip and 5G support.

Amazon today has a pair of AirPods deals that offer good second-best prices on the second- and third-generation AirPods models. There are a few other AirPods on sale right now, including AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, and you can find all of these discounts in our Best AirPods Deals guide.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Starting with the AirPods 2, these have returned to $99.99, down from $129.00. This is the second time we've seen this model drop to this price in 2022, and it's just $10 off from the all-time low seen during the holidays.

Secondly, the AirPods 3 have dropped to $149.99, down from $179.00 thanks to an automatic coupon worth $19.01 applied at the checkout screen. Similar to the previous deal, this is just $10 off from the record low 2021 holiday price, and a great second-best offer for 2022.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Apple is planning to hold a virtual event on Tuesday, March 8 to introduce new iPhone SE and iPad Air models, which are both expected to feature an A15 chip and 5G support.

Gurman said Apple also plans to launch at least one new Mac this spring, but it's unclear if that Mac would be introduced at Apple's event. This new Mac could be a high-end Mac mini powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, as an Apple silicon replacement for the 27-inch iMac is not expected to launch until as late as August or September.

Apple has at least four new Macs powered by M2 chips in its pipeline, including refreshed models of the MacBook Air, entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, 24-inch iMac, and entry-level Mac mini, according to Gurman. It's likely these Macs will launch later in the year after Apple finishes releasing its final Macs with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

Gurman believes Apple will remove the Touch Bar from the new entry-level MacBook Pro, and he expects the notebook will lack a ProMotion display.

Things are definitely starting to heat up as we head toward Apple's first media event of 2022, and it looks like we may now have a date! We should be getting a few product introductions at the event, but there's lots more coming later in the year.

Also this week, we took a closer look at the new Universal Control feature that's in beta right now, comparing it to the existing Sidecar feature that lets you extend your Mac's desktop to a nearby iPad. Make sure to read on below for details on these stories and more from the past week!

New Low-Cost iPhone SE 5G and iPad Air Coming at Virtual Event Scheduled for March 8

Apple is planning to unveil an updated version of the iPhone SE with 5G and a new iPad Air at an event that's set to take place in March, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is said to be targeting Tuesday, March 8 for the iPhone SE event.

At least one new Mac with Apple-designed chips could be introduced at the event, and prior rumors have suggested that this might be the Mac mini. iOS 15.4 may also be tied to the March event and the new devices, so we can expect to see the update launch in the first half of March.

Mini-LED iMac Pro to Launch in Mid-2022, Not Expected at Spring Event

Apple is widely rumored to be working on a replacement for the 27-inch iMac that is powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and it is possible that it will have iMac Pro branding.

Display industry consultant Ross Young this week said that he no longer expects Apple to release the iMac Pro in the spring and that he now believes an August or September launch is more likely. The current Intel-based 27-inch iMac was released in August 2020.

The new iMac Pro is expected to feature a similar design as the 24-inch iMac, a ProMotion display, and more. Check out our guide covering everything we know about the new iMac Pro for more details.

Universal Control vs. Sidecar: What's the Difference?

Macs and iPads include support for two separate features called Sidecar and Universal Control that allow the devices to be used together, but in different ways, as we demonstrated in a recent video.

Make sure to check out our guide covering the differences between Universal Control and Sidecar to learn more. Universal Control is still in beta testing and will be available as part of macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4.

'The MacRumors Show' Podcast: Jon Prosser Talks iPhone 14 Leaks and More

On the latest episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, well-known leaker Jon Prosser joined our hosts Dan Barbera, Hartley Charlton, and Sami Fathi to discuss iPhone 14 leaks, the infamous flat-edged Apple Watch Series 7 rumor, and more.

Listen to The MacRumors Show via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or subscribe by copying our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. We also have a video edition available on YouTube.

Redesigned iMac Pro, New AirPods Pro, and More Expected to Launch This Year

In addition to a redesigned iMac Pro, Apple is also planning to launch new AirPods Pro and several other products this year, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined in his latest newsletter.

The second-generation AirPods Pro are rumored to have several new features and will launch in the fourth quarter of 2022, which runs from October through December, according to oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Three New iOS Features Expected for iPhones Later This Year

Apple finally enabled Universal Control in the macOS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 betas seeded last week, but there are still at least three other features expected to be added to future iOS versions later this year, including support for driver's licenses in the Wallet app.

We have put together a list of three new features that are planned for future iOS versions, along with a few features that are set to be expanded later this year.

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!

Apple is planning to unveil an updated version of the iPhone SE with 5G and a new iPad Air at an event that's set to take place in March, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is said to be targeting Tuesday, March 8 for the ‌iPhone SE‌ event.

As we have heard several times before, the new ‌iPhone SE‌ will look similar to the 2020 version that's modeled after the iPhone 8, but it will feature a faster A-series chip, likely the A15, and 5G technology. It is also expected to include an improved camera.

The ‌iPad Air‌ will also feature an updated A-series chip and 5G connectivity, but it too is expected to feature no major design changes. At least one new Mac with Apple-designed chips could be introduced at the event, and prior rumors have suggested that this might be the Mac mini.

iOS 15.4 may be tied to the March event and the new devices, so we can expect to see the update launch in the first half of March.

The March event is expected to be digital-only rather than in person, similar to the events we've had for the last two years. It will be followed later this year by WWDC, where Apple will introduce new software, and several keynote events later in the year.

As Gurman has said previously, Apple has a wide range of product updates coming this fall, including new iPhones, refreshed AirPods Pro, new Apple Watch Series 8 and SE models, a refreshed MacBook Air, a new iMac, and a Mac Pro.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with WaterField Designs to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Tech Folio Brief that will come with matching Leather Cord Organizer Clips and Tech Pocket.

Priced starting at $359, the Tech Folio Brief is a compact carry-all that's perfect for Apple's MacBooks, iPads, and other accessories. The Tech Folio is available in 14 and 16-inch sizes, with the 14-inch size ideal for Apple's 13 and 14-inch MacBook Pro models and the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, while the 16-inch size is designed for the 15 and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.

WaterField Designs makes a whole range of bags that are packed with pockets and storage space, and the Tech Folio is no exception. It's divided into sections that can hold all kinds of things.

The padded briefcase section is deep enough to hold two laptops, a water bottle, documents, and other accessories. It can be zipped down halfway so it's easy to get at what's inside, and if you want to lock up the contents, there's a double zipper that fits a small lock. When not filled with a laptop, the sides collapse in for a slimmer look.

Along with the briefcase section, there's a tech section with multiple pockets for holding cables, power adapters, mice, battery packs, AirPods and other earbuds, plus other items you might need. This section zips open flat for easier access.

The Tech Folio is available in ballistic nylon or waxed canvas with full grain leather accents. The 14-inch version is 6.5 inches wide, 10.5 inches tall, and it has a 15.65 liter capacity. The 16-inch version measures in at 15.75 inches wide, 11.5 inches high, and it has a capacity of 19.29 liters.

WaterField Designs has lots of other accessories, and the Tech Folio can be ordered with matching Leather Cord Organizer Clips. As the name suggests, the clips are designed to hold cables and cords to keep them wrangled while inside your bag. The clips are priced at $15 and come in a set of four, with color options that include blue, black, chocolate, and crimson leather.

The Tech Folio in the giveaway will come with the matching cord clips and also a compatible Tech Pocket, which is an accessory pouch that can be used on its own or in another bag. Priced starting at $49, the Tech Pocket is sized to hold dongles, adapters, earbuds, an iPhone, and more.

It has an easy access magnetic closure that keeps items secure but provides quick access, plus it features a soft, plush lining to keep your gear from getting scratched and a zippered front pocket for things like keys.

One winner will receive a Tech Folio, Tech Pocket, and Cord Clips from WaterField Designs. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (February 4) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 11. The winner will be chosen randomly on February 11 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

Since launching in 2015, Apple Music has offered a three-month free trial to first-time subscribers, but the trial period has now been reduced.

Starting this week, Apple Music offers a shorter one-month free trial to first-time subscribers in the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, and other countries. The change was first spotted by Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

Apple Music pricing remains unchanged, with an individual plan available for $9.99 per month in the United States after the one-month trial period.

For comparison, rival streaming music service Spotify typically offers a one-month free trial for its Premium tier, but it is currently offering a two-month trial as a limited time promotion in the United States and select other countries. Spotify is also offering a three-month free trial to first-time customers who sign up through PayPal.

Apple Music continues to offer a six-month free trial to customers who purchase eligible AirPods, Beats, or HomePod models for a limited time.

Apple suppliers have started production of a new fifth-generation iPad Air and third-generation iPhone SE, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

Citing reliable sources in China, the report claims that the new iPhone SE will retain the same chassis design as the current model released in 2020, and the device will apparently continue to lack support for MagSafe accessories. Key features of the new iPhone SE are expected to include a faster A15 Bionic chip and 5G support.

Mac Otakara previously reported that the new iPad Air will have similar features as the new iPad mini, including an A15 Bionic chip, a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage support, 5G support for cellular models, and Quad-LED True Tone flash.

That report said the new iPad Air will have the same overall design as the current model, including a single-lens rear camera. Released in October 2020, the current iPad Air features a 10.9-inch display with slim bezels, a Touch ID power button, and a USB-C port, with color options including Space Gray, Silver, Green, Rose Gold, and Sky Blue.

Both the new iPad Air and iPhone SE models are expected to be announced this spring, with an Apple Event possible in March or April.

Apple and its supplier Broadcom today convinced a U.S. appeals court to reject a jury verdict that required them to pay $1.1 billion for infringing on Wi-Fi patents that belong to the California Institute of Technology (via Reuters).

In 2016, Caltech accused Apple and Broadcom of infringing on its patents related to the Wi-Fi technology used in many Apple devices. Caltech's patents, granted between 2006 and 2012, are highly technical and relate to IRA/LDPC codes that utilize simpler encoding and decoding circuitry for improved data transmission rates and performance. The technologies are implemented in both the 802.11n and 802.11ac Wi-Fi standards used by many Apple products.

In the court filing with the U.S. District Court for Central California, Caltech accused Apple of selling various iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, along with other Wi-Fi products, that incorporate these IRA/LDPC encoders and/or decoders and thereby infringe upon four of Caltech's patents. Broadcom, as one of Apple's main suppliers of Wi-Fi chips, was also named in the complaint. At the time, Apple used Broadcom chips in the Apple Watch, ‌iPhone‌, and ‌iPad‌, as well as the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac.

In 2020, a jury verdict ordered Apple and Broadcom to collectively pay Caltech a fine of $1.1 billion for the patent infringements. Apple was ordered to pay $838 million, while Broadcom was ordered to pay $270 million. Apple hoped to invalidate one of the patent claims, but this was subsequently declined by the U.S. Court of Appeals.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit today declared that the $1.1 billion award, which is one of the largest in U.S. history for a patent dispute, was not justified and ordered a new trial. The new damages trial will only reconsider Caltech's awarded sum, rather than revisiting the patent infringement itself.

Twitter is globally expanding its testing of a new "dislike" or thumbs down button for tweets, which is designed to let people downvote replies on the social media platform.

The company announced the global expansion of the test on Thursday, saying it had "learned a lot" about the downvoting option in its initial limited testing:

We learned a lot about the types of replies you don't find relevant and we're expanding this test –– more of you on web and soon iOS and Android will have the option to use reply downvoting.

Twitter says early tests showed the reason most users clicked the down arrow was because the reply was perceived as offensive, or because they perceived it as not relevant, or both. Twitter also said those testing the feature agree that "it improves the quality of the conversations on Twitter."

It's worth noting that the dislike button is only visible to the person who is viewing tweets – it is not a publicly available metric or visible to the author of the tweet. Twitter says that it is an internal tool that is designed to help Twitter understand what people think is valuable to a conversation.

Apple says it will take 27% commission on purchases made in dating apps through third-party payment options in the Netherlands, in compliance with a Dutch regulatory ruling.

In an update on its developer support site, Apple said it would collect 27% commission instead of its usual 30% on transactions made in dating apps that use alternative payment methods. Apple says the decreased commission excludes the value for collection and remittance of taxes that the company carries out.

Consistent with the ACM's order, dating apps that are granted an entitlement to link out or use a third-party in-app payment provider will pay Apple a commission on transactions. Apple will charge a 27% commission on the price paid by the user, net of value-added taxes. This is a reduced rate that excludes value related to payment processing and related activities. Developers will be responsible for the collection and remittance of any applicable taxes, such as the Netherlands' value-added tax (VAT), for sales processed by a third-party payment provider.

The details follow Apple's announcement last month that it will comply with a Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) ruling that compels the company to allow third-party payment services to pay for in-app purchases in dating apps.

Apple has warned that it will not be directly aware of purchases made using alternative methods, and will not be able to assist users with refunds, purchase history, subscription management, and other issues that it usually takes care of as part of its own in-app payments system.

As a result, developers who use the new entitlements will have to take on these additional responsibilities, and will be required to provide Apple with a monthly record of each sale of digital goods and content through the App Store within 15 calendar days of the end of Apple's fiscal month.

Apple's concessions came following a December ruling from the ACM that, by restricting dating apps from using third-party payment methods, Apple is engaging in an "abuse of market power." The ACM threatened to fine Apple up to a maximum of 50 million euros per week ($57 million) if it did not allow dating apps to offer alternative payment options.

Despite agreeing to offer the entitlements, Apple is still appealing the ACM ruling, which it argues is not in the best interests of ‌App Store‌ users. Apple says it is "concerned these changes could compromise the user experience, and create new threats to user privacy and data security."

Amazon is increasing its Prime membership subscription prices in the U.S., the company has revealed in its Q4 2021 earnings results.

According to the company, the fee for a Prime subscription is set to increase for the first time in four years, rising to $15 per month (up from $13), or $139 per year (up from $119).

The price hike, representing an almost 17% increase, will go into effect for new customers starting February 18, 2022, while current members will see their plans go up after March 25, 2022.

Amazon says the increase will pay for the "continued expansion" of Prime perks, along with higher employee salaries and more expensive shipping costs. Amazon hasn't said whether the Prime price change will apply in other countries.

An Amazon Prime subscription includes "free" one-day shipping on purchases made on Amazon, access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and other Amazon digital platforms and services.

As noted by Engadget, Amazon's recent Prime Video spends are also likely to have been a factor, with the upcoming first season of the new "The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power" series reportedly expected to cost $465 million. Amazon last year also acquired Hollywood studio MGM for $8.5 billion.

Amazon's net profit jumped nearly 57% in 2021 to $33.4 billion, due in part to the lingering effects of the global health crisis, which has had a positive effect on Amazon's core shopping business. Amazon stock jumped 13% in pre-market trading on Friday following its strong fourth-quarter earnings.