The European Union has adopted new regulations regarding batteries that could extend the lifespan of gadgets, cut back on electronic waste, and generally improve sustainability. While the regulations apply to all sorts of batteries and covers things like waste collection and use of recycled materials, one section has been gathering a lot of attention: smartphones […]
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5 Comments on Apple could allow third-party app stores on iPhones and iPads to comply with EU regulations
Apple could allow third-party app stores on iPhones and iPads to comply with EU regulations
5 Comments on Apple could allow third-party app stores on iPhones and iPads to comply with EU regulationsWant to install an app or game on an iPhone or iPad? The only official ways to do that are to get them from the App Store or set up a developer account. And that’s been the case since the App store first launched in 2008. But according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark […]
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All phones sold in the EU will need USB-C ports starting December 28, 2024
Most modern Android smartphones feature USB-C ports, but soon that might be a requirement for all phones sold in Europe… including iPhones. After announcing a provisional agreement in June  to create “a single charging solution for certain electronic devices,” the European Union has finalized that agreement and announced that starting December 28, 2024 all new […]
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Android phone makers may have to start paying for the Play Store, other Google apps (in Europe)
8 Comments on Android phone makers may have to start paying for the Play Store, other Google apps (in Europe)After the European Union slapped Google with a $5 billion fine in an antitrust case this summer, Google appealed the ruling. But while waiting for the outcome of that appeal, Google has come up with a plan B: the company is changing the way it licenses its apps and services for Android phones and tablets […]
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EU fines Qualcomm $1.2 billion for antitrust violations
The European Commission says the world’s largest supplier of LTE chipsets abused its dominant position in the marketplace to keep phone makers from using chips from rival companies. As a result, the EU has issued a €997 million ($1.23 billion) fine against Qualcomm. Qualcomm says it will appeal the decision. At issue is an agreement […]
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European Union kills roaming fees for wireless customers (mostly)
Residents of the European Union no longer have to pay roaming fees when traveling to another EU member country… with a few exceptions. As promised, the EU has adopted new “Roam Like at Home” rules that let travelers pay the same prices for talk, text, and data that they would if they were using their […]
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European Union takes aim at geo-blocking, lets travelers stream media across country lines
Comments Off on European Union takes aim at geo-blocking, lets travelers stream media across country linesThe European Commission has unveiled a new agreement that will allow people from one European Union member country to access their digital media while traveling to other EU countries. In other words, if you pay for streaming music or movie services in Germany, you’ll be able to watch or listen in France. The deal applies […]
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EU antitrust officials accuse Google of abusing its monopoly position in search, maybe smartphones
4 Comments on EU antitrust officials accuse Google of abusing its monopoly position in search, maybe smartphonesThe European Commission has been looking into questions of whether Google has been using its dominant position in search to violate European Union antitrust rules — and the commission has sent a Statement of Objection suggesting that the US-based search company’s shopping comparison system may cross that line. The Commission has also started looking into […]
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Are eBooks goods or services? An EU Court thinks they’re services
When you buy an eBook you might think you’re spending money on pretty much the same thing you’d get if you bought a paperback book: thousands of words composed by an author to tell a story, make an argument, or otherwise put ideas into words, paragraphs, and maybe even chapters. Sure, an eBook isn’t a […]