Apple is collaborating with LG to develop a foldable OLED display panel with ultra-thin cover glass for future iPad and MacBook models, according to a report from The Elec.
The report explains that LG Display will supply 17-inch foldable 4K OLED panels to HP this year, destined for an in-folding notebook with an 11-inch display when closed. LG Display has growing expertise in foldable OLED displays, having supplied the 13.3-inch display panel for the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold.
The Elec claims that alongside its foldable OLED notebook panel for HP, Apple is collaborating with LG Display "to develop another foldable OLED panel." This panel will purportedly use an ultra-thin cover glass instead of polyimide, which most other foldable displays currently use.
The report is the second dependable sign from Apple's supply chain that large foldable devices are in development, since The Elec's claim appears to line up with a recent report from display analyst Ross Young, which said that Apple is exploring all-screen foldable notebooks with displays around 20-inches in size.
Young said that these devices could form a whole new product category for Apple and result in a dual-use product, potentially able to work as a notebook with a full-size on-screen keyboard when folded and as a monitor when unfolded and used with an external keyboard. The devices feature 4K resolutions or higher at the size Apple is investigating, Young added.
While Young described the device as a "foldable notebook," it seemed plausible at the time that the all-screen device could actually be a foldable iPad Pro, and today's report from The Elec's clarifies that the display panel in development is suitable for both tablets and notebooks.
According to Young, the launch timeframe for Apple's foldable notebook is "likely later" than 2025, with 2026 or 2027 being floated as reasonable possibilities.
If you recently picked up a new Mac such as the Mac Studio, you may be in search of useful accessories to go along with it. In our latest YouTube video, we have once again rounded up some excellent Mac accessories that we think are worth checking out.
DockCase SSD Enclosure ($99) - The DockCase SSD Enclosure, as the name suggests, is a simple enclosure designed for an SSD. It has a small LCD that displays information about your SSD like SSD health, and DockCase says that it has built-in power loss protection and heat dissipation features. It supports M.2 NVMe SSDs.
Twelve South MagicBridge ($50) - The Twelve South MagicBridge is designed to turn the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Trackpad 2 into a single control surface for a tidier workspace. It keeps the trackpad and the keyboard from sliding apart, with the trackpad able to be positioned on the left or the right.
OWC miniStack STX (Starting at $279) - The miniStack from OWC is an add-on accessory that's designed for the Mac mini. It adds up to 18TB of extra HDD and SSD storage space, and you can buy your own storage or purchase a model with storage already built in. It includes a universal SATA HDD/SSD bay AND an NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD slot, and OWC says it is the first Thunderbolt certified Thunderbolt 4 storage solution.
Vissles LP85 Mechanical Keyboard ($119) - This ultra-thin mechanical keyboard from Vissles matches well with Apple's devices and according to Vissles, it is the world's thinnest optical-mechanical keyboard. If you like the feel of a mechanical keyboard but don't like the bulk, this may be worth checking out.
Keychron K4 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard($69) - If you're looking for a more traditional mechanical keyboard that's also more affordable, the Keychron K4 has an excellent key feel with Gateron switches and 15 types of RGB backlighting. It's also affordable at pricing that starts at $69.
VIVO Adjustable Under Desk Mounting Platform ($55) - If you use your Mac in clamshell mode, this adjustable mounting platform from VIVO is worth checking out because it installs right under your desk and keeps your laptop out of sight and out of the way, freeing up desktop space. You can also use this as a pull out option for your laptop or other products.
OXO Good Grips Laptop Cleaner ($12) - The OXO Good Grips Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner is an ideal solution to keep your laptop from getting grimy. One side of the OXO is designed to clean fingerprints and smudges from your display, while the soft brush sweeps dirt and crumbs away from your keyboard. The brush retracts and there's a cover for the end to keep it from getting dirty when not in use.
Satechi Pro Hub Max ($99) - The Pro Hub Max from Satechi is designed to work with Apple's modern Mac models. It plugs into two USB-C ports on the side, adding additional ports for you to use. It features a USB-C PD port, 4K HDMI output, Gigabit Ethernet, USB-C data, USB-A data, micro/SD card readers, and an audio jack port.
Do you have favorite Mac accessories you want to recommend to other MacRumors readers? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple's Maps app in the United States has incorporated real-time roadway hazard information from HAAS Alert Safety Cloud, making the app better at notifying users of upcoming safety issues.
According to a blog post announcing the integration, HAAS Safety Cloud is the "most comprehensive and trusted digital alerting platform for roadway safety."
Drivers that are approaching emergency vehicles, incident responders, work zones, and other hazards on the road sourced by Safety Cloud will now receive an alert in Apple Maps. Digital alerts about upcoming hazards in the road improve driver safety and can reduce the risk of crashes.
HAAS Alert's SVP of Connected Vehicle, Jeremy Agulnek, said that the company applauds "Apple for prioritizing driver safety and taking steps towards achieving the Vision Zero goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries."
The Maps app has had safety alerts about upcoming road hazards for some time now, but the addition of information from the HAAS Safety Cloud will make the alerts more comprehensive.
Apple today released macOS Monterey 12.3.1, a minor update to the macOS Monterey operating system that launched in October. macOS Monterey 12.3.1 comes two weeks after the launch of macOS Monterey 12.3, an update that brought Universal Control.
The macOS Monterey 12.3.1 update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences.
According to Apple's release notes, macOS Monterey 12.3.1 introduces a fix that could cause Bluetooth controllers like game controllers to disconnect from the Mac after playing audio through some Beats headphones. It also addresses a bug that could cause USB-C or Thunderbolt external displays to not turn on when connected to the 2018 Mac mini as a secondary display.
This update fixes the following issues: - USB-C or Thunderbolt external display does not turn on when connected to Mac mini (2018) as a second display - Bluetooth devices, such as game controllers, may disconnect from your Mac after playing audio through some Beats headphones
macOS Monterey 12.3.1 also addresses two vulnerabilities, including an AppleAVD issue that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges and an Intel Graphics Driver issue that could allow an application to read kernel memory.
Apple says these exploits may have been actively exploited, so it is a good idea for all users to update as soon as possible.
Today's macOS Monterey update was also accompanied by iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, tvOS 15.4.1, watchOS 8.5.1, and new 15.4.1 software for the HomePod.
Apple today released iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1, minor updates to the iOS and iPadOS 15 operating systems that were released in September. iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1 come two weeks after the launch of iOS 15.4.
The iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1 updates can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
According to Apple's release notes, the update fixes an issue that could cause the battery to drain more quickly than expected after updating to iOS 15.4. It also includes fixes for Made for iPhone hearing devices and Braille devices.
This update includes the following bug fixes for your iPhone: Battery may drain more quickly than expected after updating to iOS 15.4 Braille devices may become unresponsive while navigating text or displaying an alert Made for iPhone hearing devices may lose connection within some third-party apps
iOS and iPadOS 15.4.1 fix an AppleAVD issue that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple says this exploit may have been actively exploited, so it is a good idea for all users to update as soon as possible.
Apple has also released new tvOS 15.4.1, HomePod 15.4.1, and watchOS 8.5.1 updates to go alongside the iOS 15.4.1 update.
Alongside iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1, Apple today released a new 15.4.1 update designed for the HomePod and the HomePod mini. The 15.4.1 update comes two weeks after the release of the 15.4 HomePod software.
According to Apple's release notes, the HomePod 15.4.1 software update fixes an issue that could cause some HomeKit accessories to fail to respond when controlled via Siri voice commands.
Software version 15.4.1 addresses an issue where some HomeKit-enabled accessories could fail to respond when controlled via Siri. This update also includes bug fixes for your HomePod.
HomePod software is installed automatically on the HomePod unless the feature is disabled, but the HomePod can also be manually updated in the Home app by following the instructions in our HomePod update how to.
Apple today released watchOS 8.5.1, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 8.5.1 comes two weeks after the launch of watchOS 8.5.
watchOS 8.5.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
According to Apple's release notes for the update, watchOS 8.5.1 adds security updates and bug fixes for the Apple Watch.
Apple today announced the official launch of its Business Essentials service designed to help out small businesses that use Apple products. The service was previously available in a beta capacity to a limited number of businesses, but now it is available to any small business that wants to participate.
Business Essentials, available to businesses with up to 500 employees, is a subscription-based service that provides device management features that include setup and onboarding, iCloud storage, and optional 24/7 access to Apple Support through AppleCare+ for Business, another new addition.
AppleCare+ for Business can be added to any Apple Business Essentials plan, and it offers 24/7 access to phone support, training for both IT administrators and employees, and up to two device repairs per plan — by individual, group, or device — each year.
Apple Business Essentials is priced at $2.99 per user to $12.99 per user, with the price varying based on the number of devices and the amount of iCloud storage that each employee needs. A two month free trial is available to all customers, including those who used the service in beta.
Apple this week announced that its largest retail store in South Korea will be opening soon in the Myeongdong neighborhood of Seoul.
Apple Myeongdong will hold its grand opening on Saturday, April 9 at 10 a.m. local time. Due to the pandemic, attending the opening will require a reservation, which can be placed through Apple's website starting Thursday, April 7 at 8 a.m. local time.
To celebrate the grand opening, Apple shared a short video and made a special wallpaper available to download for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In a recent issue of his "Tabletops" newsletter about Apple retail, Michael Steeber said the video and wallpapers are inspired by a traditional Korean art style known as "chaekgeori."
In-person Today at Apple sessions will be hosted at Apple Myeongdong, with safety measures in place such as the compulsory wearing of masks, physical distancing, and temperature checks. The sessions allow customers to learn skills related to photography, art, design, video, coding, music, and more using Apple products and accessories like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Pencil, with free reservations available through Apple's website.
Apple Myeongdong will be the 518th retail store that Apple operates around the world and the third in South Korea.
Apple competitor Samsung today announced a new partnership with iFixit that will see Samsung providing authentic parts, repair tools, and repair guides to customers who want to repair their own Galaxy devices.
Samsung's new program mirrors a self-repair program that Apple introduced last year. The "Self Service Repair" program, which is supposed to be launching in early 2022, is designed to let users do their own repairs by sourcing parts and repair manuals from Apple.
Apple's program will be limited to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 at launch, though Apple plans to offer self-repair options for other devices over time. Apple plans to provide more than 200 individual parts and tools for repairing the latest iPhones.
Like Apple's repair program, Samsung's repair option is also limited at the current time. Samsung and iFixit will be providing repair parts for the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S21, and the Tab S7 Plus, but not the latest Galaxy S22 devices. Samsung plans to launch its initiative in the summer, and additional devices will be supported over time.
Customers who use Samsung's self repair program will be provided with step-by-step repair guides for replacing display assemblies, back glass, and charging ports, with used parts returned to Samsung for recycling. In a statement, Samsung's SVP of customer care Ramon Gregory said that Samsung is "creating more ways for consumers to extend the lifespan of [its] products with premium care experiences."
Both Apple and Samsung have introduced these self-repair programs in response to right to repair legislation that many states have crafted. Apple and other tech companies have lobbied hard against such legislation, and are perhaps aiming to stave off wide sweeping requirements by implementing their own solutions.
Apple's newest iPad mini continues to sit at all-time low prices in a few different configurations, including the entry-level 64GB Wi-Fi tablet at $459.00, down from $499.00. This sale can be found at Amazon, and B&H Photo is matching the prices on other models listed below.
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.
The iPad mini 6 launched last September with a larger 8.3-inch display, the A15 Bionic chip, support for the Apple Pencil 2, and a USB-C port. To date, this price on the 64GB Wi-Fi model is the best we've seen at any retailer.
You can also nab an all-time low price on the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6, priced at $599.00, down from $649.00. This is one of the sales that's being matched at B&H Photo in the Starlight colorway.
Lastly, both cellular options are on sale. The 64GB cellular iPad mini 6 is priced at $599.00, down from $649.00 (matched at B&H Photo); and the 256GB cellular iPad mini 6 is priced at $749.00, down from $799.00 (matched at B&H Photo).
For even more iPad deals, head to our full Best Deals guide for iPad. In that guide we track the best discounts online for iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
Schlage today released its Encode Plus smart lock with support for Apple's home keys feature in the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch. The smart lock is available in a variety of finishes at The Home Depot, Lowe's, and Build.com for $300 in the United States.
Apple's home keys feature lets you add a key card to the Wallet app, eliminating the need to use a physical key. Upon doing so, you can simply hold a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch near the Encode Plus to lock or unlock the door that it is installed on. The feature, powered by NFC technology, requires an iPhone XR or newer updated to iOS 15 or an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer updated to watchOS 8.
Express Mode allows you to unlock the door by simply holding your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock, or there is an option to require Face ID or Touch ID as an additional layer of security. With Power Reserve, you may still be able to tap to unlock the door for up to five hours after your iPhone has run out of battery.
Encode Plus also supports HomeKit for controlling the lock with the Home app or Siri voice commands on an iPhone or Apple Watch, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The lock has a physical keypad and a keyhole to unlock the door without a device if necessary, providing peace of mind if you are without your iPhone or Apple Watch.
With built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, the Schlage Encode Plus does not require a smart home bridge or any other hardware. The lock is battery operated, with four AA batteries included and a low-battery indicator built into the keypad.
Apple TV+ is suffering from infrastructure problems and some content partners have become frustrated with the service, Business Insider reports.
Industry sources speaking to Business Insider claim that Apple TV+ lacks "a sufficiently robust infrastructure," resulting in a frustrating corporate culture. The Apple TV+ content team is reportedly under-resourced and has irritated production partners. The streamer's leadership structure is "very flat" and "key departments, like marketing and publicity, don't communicate enough, leaving partners to juggle multiple points of contact."
Two content executives who have worked with Apple TV+ told Business Insider that the streamer's in-house lawyers lack familiarity with common entertainment law practices and executives are expected to check with bosses before making decisions, which slows down the dealmaking and production processes. One executive said that Apple TV+ began streaming a show before a contract was signed, while another said that they had problems simply getting invoices paid.
Other sources said that Apple TV+ has a chaotic approach to marketing, including "disruptive, last-minute marketing planning for projects that have been in the works for months; sloppy press rollouts; landing pages for series that weren't ready in time." "They are still marketing like it's an iPhone, not content," one executive told Business Insider. As a result, details of new projects are tightly controlled and kept secret until the last minute, and content partners get little to no information on how their projects are performing with subscribers. Similar concerns were raised by studio executives speaking to The Information last year.
A former Apple member of staff said that there is burnout at Apple TV+, partly due to a number of delayed shows moving forward at the same time. "There's going to be a breaking point. People are stretched thin and working too hard," they added.
Apple purportedly wants to make all of Apple TV+'s content itself to avoid reliance on partners like Warner Bros., but it does not currently have the resources to do so. The company is said to be hoping to rectify some of the immediate workflow issues by hiring more mid-level content executives to manage cost projections and budgeting. Another source speaking to Business Insider defended Apple TV+, claiming that the issues are the result of the streamer still being fairly new.
Anyone invested in the Apple ecosystem will have had to confront the need for multiple USB-C ports when they're home and away, with iPhones, iPads, and Macs all vying for the connectivity these days. But in many cases, there's still a lingering need for USB-A to charge older devices, and that's where Ugreen's 4-in-1 100W GaN X Fast Charger comes in handy.
The charger packs three USB-C ports along with a single USB-A port, but despite that throwback it offers the latest Gallium Nitride technology, which is popular with modern power adapters because it allows for better power efficiency that results in smaller product designs more suited for travel.
I had the opportunity to test Ugreen's multi-port charger in both its UK and US variants, and the first thing to note is that the US version is the more portable design. It's a slender square brick that fits in the palm of your hand – it's a little smaller than Apple's 67W UK charger that comes with the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and benefits from the two-pin A plug's ability to fold away inside the body.
By contrast, the UK model has more of a bulky cuboid shape with rounded corners, and the three-pin D plug isn't foldaway or retractable, making it harder to slip it neatly into a travel bag without snagging on something.
Other than that, both models are functionally identical and feature a built-in "Power-X" power delivery system that can intelligently adjust the power output to protect a device's battery. Essentially, the power distribution system allows the charger to adjust the power provided to each port based on what's plugged in. The top two ports are capable of delivering a maximum of 100W, while the third is capable of up to 22.5W, and the bottom USB-A port offers 22.5W.
Ugreen claims that this means it can charge an iPhone 13 to 60% in 30 minutes or fully charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro in 1.5 hours, and thanks to the latest GaN chipset, it's three times faster than Apple's standard iPhone charger. Those claims stood up to scrutiny in my tests, although the big caveat here of course is that they only apply when one device is plugged into the charger and in the relevant port for its power requirements.
Ugreen includes a graphic (shown above) that explains the variable wattage of the different ports based on what's plugged in. For example, if you have two devices connected to the first two (100W) ports, the top port outputs 65W and the second port delivers just 30W. As you'd expect, the charger's power output gets divvied up further the more devices you connect. For instance, when all four ports are occupied, the first (100W) port tops out at 45W, so you have to consider what you're plugging in if you want to prioritize a particular device for fast charging at maximum wattage.
Unfortunately neither the US nor the UK model has the max wattage marked on the individual ports, so I wasn't always sure which port was the right one to use to get, say, the full 100W to power my MacBook Pro, but it didn't take too long for me to memorize them so I didn't have to keep referring back to the included manual. Remembering all the variable combinations however is a little more tricky – it's better off simply accepting that the more devices you're charging, the longer they'll all take to reach full battery capacity.
The chargers also feature an "Over Temperature Protection" system that takes five temperature readings every second for extra security, which is the kind of feature that's not obvious but is nevertheless good to know exists.
Final thoughts
Ugreen could have designed this 4-in-1 charger to be larger unit with a fixed power output to several USB-C devices, but instead it has opted for a more compact brick with variable power distribution. This shouldn't be a problem if you intend to use it to charge a number of devices overnight, but if you're looking to fast charge a single power-hungry device like a MacBook Pro then you're better off treating this as a solo charger or opting for a more bulky alternative.
The addition of a USB-A port is a welcome nod to the number of older devices still in circulation, and adds to the charger's flexibility, even if that does mean sacrificing a fourth USB-C port. All in all, this makes the Ugreen 100W Charger an accommodating, travel-friendly unit (especially the US variant) that's certainly worth having on hand when you're away.
The Ugreen 100W Mulitport Charger is available to order now for $79.99 (or $63.99 with coupon applied) and £79.99 on Amazon US and Amazon UK websites, respectively.
MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Ugreen provided the chargers for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received.
Voice messages or "voice notes" are often the preferred form of communication on WhatsApp, with on average around 7 billion sent over the platform every day, and today WhatsApp has announced several new features to improve the experience of using them.
The most notable change that recently came out of beta testing is out-of-chat playback, which lets you listen to a voice message outside of the chat so you can multitask or read and respond to other messages.
If you play a voice note and then switch to the WhatsApp home screen or to a different chat thread, a new voice message playback interface appears at the top of the app with buttons to pause, resume, or dismiss the voice note, along with a waveform visualization and progress bar.
It's now possible to pause a received voice message and pick up where you left off when you return to the chat, and you can also play voice messages at 1.5x or 2x speeds to listen to messages faster on both regular and forwarded messages.
Lastly, when recording a voice message, you can now pause the recording and resume it when ready, while draft previews let you listen to your voice messages before sending them.
WhatsApp says the new voice message features are rolling out to all users of the encrypted chat service over the coming weeks.
Demand for consumer electronics like smartphones and PCs is slowing due to continued geopolitical uncertainties and new COVID-related lockdowns in China, according to TSMC Chairman Mark Liu.
TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, is one of Apple's main suppliers, responsible for the A-series and M-series chips that go in Apple devices. Liu's comments were delivered at the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association and were shared by Nikkei.
Customer interest in smartphones is falling in China specifically, with Liu also warning about the rising cost of components and materials. Production costs are going up for chip companies, and Liu believes the "pressure could eventually be passed on to consumers," a scenario that could also see demand impacted by higher costs.
"Everyone in the industry is worried about rising costs across the overall supply chain... The semiconductor industry already and directly experienced that cost increase," Liu said, adding that the industry is also concerned about macroeconomic uncertainties this year.
Liu said that TSMC is not changing its growth targets and is still unable to meet customers' demand with its current capacity. TSMC plans to reorganize and prioritize orders for "areas that still see healthy demand."
Signs of a dip in customer demand surfaced this week amid rumors that Apple is planning to cut iPhone SE production. Just weeks after releasing the iPhone SE, Apple allegedly told suppliers that it wants to cut back on iPhone SE production by as much as two to three million units because of a "weaker-than-expected demand," though some suppliers have refuted this report.
Picture-in-picture support is rolling out to all YouTube TV users who have an iOS 15 device, the YouTube TV team announced today on Twitter.
When watching YouTube TV content, users can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to return to the Home screen, with the content continuing to play in a small picture-in-picture window that can be adjusted. With picture-in-picture support, YouTube TV users can watch content while continuing to do other things on the iPhone or the iPad.
iPhone & iPad users 🔊
We’re happy to share that picture-in-picture is now rolling out to your iOS 15+ devices. Simply select a video to watch and swipe ⬆️ from the bottom of the screen to return to the device's homepage. The video can scale down and move across your screen.
— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) March 30, 2022
Google has also been testing picture-in-picture for standard YouTube content with its premium subscribers, but the feature has not yet rolled out beyond those who have a subscription, which is priced at $11.99 in the U.S. Google has, however, said that it is planning to launch picture-in-picture support for all YouTube users in the near future.
With YouTube TV officially supporting picture-in-picture, it's possible Google will soon also expand the feature to YouTube.
Apple today informed developers of "reader" apps that they are able to sign up for access to an "External Link Account Entitlement" that will allow the app to offer a link to a website so users can create or manage an account outside of the App Store.
Reader apps are able to link to a website that is owned or maintained by the developer for account signups. So, for example, an app like Netflix can provide an in-app link that goes directly to the Netflix website for account signups, something that was not allowed before the change. Apple updated its App Store guidelines to reflect the change.
Apps may allow a user to access previously purchased content or content subscriptions (specifically: magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video). Reader apps may offer account creation for free tiers, and account management functionality for existing customers. Reader app developers may apply for the External Link Account Entitlement to provide an informational link in their app to a web site the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to create or manage an account. Learn more about the External Link Account Entitlement.
Apple considers reader apps to be those that provide digital content that includes magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video as the primary functionality of the app. Apple made this change to reader apps in order to settle an investigation launched by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.
According to Apple, reader apps do not offer in-app digital goods and services for purchase and are primarily aimed at allowing users to browse previously purchased content or content subscriptions, which is why Apple agreed to allow apps share a single link for account management purposes.
Apps that use the External Link Account Entitlement must provide reader content, must not offer in-app purchases, and must not offer real-time, person-to-person services. Apps that allow people to access digital content like music or video, but not as the primary functionality, such a social networking apps, are not considered reader apps.
When announcing the change in September, Apple said that it would update its App Store guidelines and review process to "make sure users of reader apps continue to have a safe experience on the App Store." Apple plans to help developers of reader apps "protect users when they link to an external website to make purchases."
The reader app change will affect many of Apple's biggest competitors, including Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, and more, with the change applicable to all reader apps globally.