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Spotify's US app update gets Apple approval after court ruling

Spotify's US app update gets Apple approval after court ruling

Reuters02-05-2025

May 2 (Reuters) - Spotify (SPOT.N), opens new tab said on Friday its U.S. app update has secured Apple's (AAPL.O), opens new tab approval to show pricing information and external payment links, days after a judge barred the iPhone maker from charging commission on off-app purchases.
The Swedish streaming giant, along with several other tech firms, has been at loggerheads with Apple over its App Store policies, which require developers to pay a commission on in-app purchases, including subscriptions.
"After nearly a decade, this will finally allow us to freely show clear pricing information and links to purchase, fostering transparency and choice for U.S. consumers," Spotify spokesperson Jeanne Moran said in an email.
Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
Spotify had submitted the app update on Thursday, a day after U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said that the company failed to comply, opens new tab with her prior order imposed in an antitrust lawsuit by "Fortnite" maker Epic Games.
The Cupertino, California-based firm said it disagreed with the decision, but would comply with the court's order and appeal.

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Red state hit with huge influx of MILLIONAIRES fleeing woke, crime-ridden California
Red state hit with huge influx of MILLIONAIRES fleeing woke, crime-ridden California

Daily Mail​

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Red state hit with huge influx of MILLIONAIRES fleeing woke, crime-ridden California

The desert state once known for cheap buffets and neon-lit dreams is now bursting at the seams with California 's richest refugees fleeing the chaos of the Golden State. But they're not just bringing suitcases. They're bringing millions. According to a new study that looked at data from the US Census Bureau the number of millionaire households in the Las Vegas Valley has surged an eye-popping 166 percent since 2019. That's 879 millionaire households in 2023, up from just 331 before the pandemic. Many of these new millionaires are homeowners, bucking national trends where even the ultra-rich are increasingly looking to rent. The real estate boom has been driven in no small part by Californians, particularly those weary of cities' crime, homelessness, high taxes and what some describe as the state's 'hostile' regulatory climate. Nevada is so attractive to the monied because the state levies no taxes on corporate income or shares. It also doesn't have taxes on personal income, franchises, inheritances, gifts or estates In 2024 alone, nearly 39,000 Californians traded palm trees for desert heat, handing over their driver's licenses at Nevada DMVs in record numbers, and reigniting fears that the Silver State may soon resemble the Golden State - politically and economically. 'It's no surprise to see the number of millionaire households in Las Vegas tripling since 2019. We've felt that momentum firsthand. The city has transformed into a magnet for high-net-worth individuals who want more space, better quality of life, and the energy of a city that's constantly evolving,' said Las Vegas-based luxury real estate broker Ivan Sher to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Some high profile business leaders who have left California for the bright lights of Vegas include billionaire spouses Andrew and Peggy Cherng, the co-founders of Panda Express, and David Chao, cofounder and general partner of multibillion-dollar venture firm DCM. Even some celebrities - Mark Wahlberg and Dean Cain among them - have been drawn to the bright lights of Vegas over the last two years in the wake of California's mansion tax. Teddy Liaw, the founder of NexRep marketplace, relocated to Southern Nevada a few years ago after becoming 'disenchanted' with the San Francisco Bay Area. Liaw explained how he is pitching to California's tech entrepreneurs, millionaires, billionaires and CEO's how Nevada is 'pro-business.' 'There's a reason they're leaving California in the first place: the politics and the regulatory environment,' Liaw said. 'They are seeing the allure here in terms of access and quality of life and the opportunities we have here.' Liaw founded the Vegas Tech Summit, where tech entrepreneurs can discuss the business landscape of the region with one other each October. He described Nevada's pro-business culture was like a breath of fresh, tax-free air.' They are seeing the allure here in terms of access and quality of life and the opportunities we have here. At the end of the day California has lost population, this is a big deal.' Kent Yoshimura, co-founder of NeuroGum, a company that makes gum with caffeine in to boost memory and focus. Yoshimura moved the multimillion-dollar business from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and said the choice to relocate his company and part of his staff to Summerlin was about more than just money but about clarity. 'When you don't have to think about that excess stuff as much, it makes life much easier and it allows you to maintain a higher level of focus,' Yoshimura said. 'I probably see more people now being in Vegas than I did in LA, because everybody wants to come visit here.' Yoshimura spoke at the third annual Vegas Tech Summit, an increasingly elite event that has drawn tech millionaires, CEOs, and investors to the city's most exclusive neighborhoods like the Summit Club, a far cry from Silicon Valley's increasingly grim tech scene. 'The employment laws are a lot easier here, the affordability of a house, transportation,' Yoshimura said, adding, 'I live in Summerlin and it's 20 miles to my office and it takes 20 minutes. … When I was in downtown [Los Angeles] to Koreatown where my office was, it was only 8 miles away and it took me 45 minutes.' Billionaire Cherng, meanwhile, quietly moved his Panda Express base of operations to Nevada in recent years. He joins a growing exodus of wealth from California's crumbling urban centers to the business-friendly, regulation-light promise of the Mojave. And while Hollywood types recently suffered a setback when a bill to attract movie studios to southern Nevada failed, local leaders like luxury broker Ivan Sher remain bullish. For years, California's natural beauty, elite universities, and deep tech economy were enough to hold its wealthy residents in place but the situation has changed. Homelessness is spiraling, taxes are soaring, crime appears to be creeping into once-safe enclaves and pandemic-era restrictions which were among some of the strictest in the country, pushed many over the edge. California has indeed been losing hundreds of thousands of people since 2019, before posting a moderate gain in 2023. Nearly 158,000 Californians moved to Nevada between 2020 and 2023, making up 43% of all new residents, according to Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles data. But with wealth comes pressure and Las Vegas is feeling the squeeze. Housing prices are pushing record highs, and Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine is warning of a housing crisis if action isn't taken soon. 'We are spending a lot of time talking about housing right now, affordable housing, attainable housing, housing for all,' Conine said. 'Housing instability is economic instability, if we do not have a housing market that works it makes it harder for people to start businesses, it makes it harder for kids to do well in school, nothing is easy when we have a housing problem.' That hasn't slowed the flood. At last year's Vegas Tech Summit, the mood was electric. On stage, former Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ohno, now a Miami-based entrepreneur, hinted he might make the move himself. 'Vegas has got a special vibration to it right now,' he said. For all the optimism, some locals fear the very migrants fleeing California's dysfunction could eventually turn Nevada into its mirror image. The message from business leaders is clear: don't California our Nevada. That means no income tax, no bloated regulations and no 'woke' politics.

Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Feeling the Most Car Buying Pressure
Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Feeling the Most Car Buying Pressure

Auto Blog

time2 hours ago

  • Auto Blog

Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Feeling the Most Car Buying Pressure

New data from Bank of America shows that younger buyers are getting the financial short end of the stick at the dealership. Cars continue to be an expensive necessity The United States is a land where its people rely on cars for their everyday transportation needs; however, purchasing a new or used vehicle can often feel like an extensive financial cross-examination rather than a straightforward and effortless transaction at dealerships and car lots. If you have been to your local dealerships, scrolled the options on car-buying websites, or curiously poked around at the newest cars on the websites of any automaker these days, you are probably more than aware that new cars today are very expensive. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 2025 Ford Maverick: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More According to the latest data from Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive, the average cost of a new car in the U.S. reached an astonishing $48,883 as of June 2, 2025; a high price tag that can discourage even the most enthusiastic car buyers. However, recent findings from Bank of America indicate that younger buyers are significantly influencing current trends in the auto market, although their motivations are not always driven by sound financial reasoning. A Hyundai dealership in Richmond, California, US, on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Bank of America: Younger car buyers got the tariff shock When the Trump administration announced a 25% tariff on imported cars and car parts in late March, BofA researchers and analysts saw that some concerned buyers rushed to purchase vehicles before the tariffs could translate into higher sticker prices. The bank saw a sharp spike in car loan applications in late March and April, with sales data peaking at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 17.8 million. However, a deeper dive into its data reveals that Gen Z and younger Millennials were much more active in this pre-tariff buying spree than older demographics. From March to May 2025, Bank of America found that large payments (those over $2,000) to car dealers and finance companies were steadily rising among these younger age groups in comparison to older buyers. What this shows is that younger consumers seemed more motivated to lock in prices before tariffs made vehicles even more expensive than they already were. Unlike Baby Boomers or Gen Xers, many Gen Z and Millennial buyers are either purchasing their first or second car, and they're entering the market at an unaffordable time by all kinds of metrics. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The deck is already stacked against younger car buyers According to Bank of America payments data, the median monthly car payment has jumped over 30% since 2019, outpacing the rise in new and used vehicle prices. This data point proves that a car can be a financial ballast for young people who have to balance monthly costs like rent, groceries, student loans, and other miscellaneous subscription-based services they may be in for. Today, one in five U.S. households pays more than $1,000 a month ($12,000 per year) just for their car payments, which can be a massive financial burden for younger buyers. In fact, between June 2024 and May 2025, a significantly higher share of younger buyers saw their monthly car payments climb. Bank of America data shows that Gen Z and younger Millennial car buyers accounted for the biggest year-over-year increase in the percentage of households who paid more than $500 per month for their cars, with some paying $1,000 or more. Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE — Source: Toyota However, the financial data isn't entirely age-related; it's also tied to income. Many younger buyers tend to earn less money and fall into the lower or middle-income brackets, meaning their margins and budgets are tighter than most. According to the report, lower-income buyers also showed increased activity in the pre-tariff rush, further underscoring how policy shifts like tariffs can hit the most vulnerable groups hardest. Nonetheless, young people are committed to car ownership because they need to get around, even if it means buying a car at a time when cars are more expensive than ever and loans are harder to get. According to data from The New York Federal Reserve, the likelihood of getting turned down for a car loan reached 33.5% in February 2025, the highest level on record. The deck is already stacked against younger car buyers According to Bank of America payments data, the median monthly car payment has jumped over 30% since 2019, outpacing the rise in new and used vehicle prices. This data point proves that a car can be a financial ballast for young people who have to balance monthly costs like rent, groceries, student loans, and other miscellaneous subscription-based services they may be in for. Today, one in five U.S. households pays more than $1,000 a month ($12,000/year) just for their car notes, which can be a massive financial burden for younger buyers. In fact, between June 2024 and May 2025, a significantly higher share of younger buyers saw their monthly car payments climb. Bank of America data shows that Gen Z and younger Millennial car buyers accounted for the biggest year-over-year increase in the percentage of households who paid more than $500 per month for their cars, with some paying $1,000 or more. CarMax dealership However, the financial data isn't entirely age-related; it's also tied to income. Many younger buyers tend to earn less money and fall into the lower or middle-income brackets, meaning their margins and budgets are tighter than most. According to the report, lower-income buyers also showed increased activity in the pre-tariff rush, further underscoring how policy shifts like tariffs can hit the most vulnerable groups hardest. Nonetheless, young people are committed to car ownership because they need to get around, even if it means buying a car at a time when cars are more expensive than ever and loans are harder to get. According to data from The New York Federal Reserve, the likelihood of getting turned down for an auto loan reached 33.5% in February 2025—the highest level on record. Final thoughts Although personal finance is a central fixation for some social media-addled Gen Z and younger Millennials, this data from one of America's largest financial institutions shows that many in these age groups are in situations fit for a Caleb Hammer or Dave Ramsay clip floating around on their feeds. What this research means for Gen Z and Millennials is that they are buying more, paying more, and doing it at a time when the deck feels increasingly stacked against them. However, as I have previously mentioned, this highlights just how important it is to approach car buying responsibly and plan financially. It's truly important to take a step back, let the temptation simmer, and examine your financial situation and set a budget that you can actually comfortably afford. By being diligent, you can protect yourself from potential hurdles and make a decision that won't wreck you or your credit. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile

New CarPlay Ultra transforms your dash – and ditches the tech that drives us mad
New CarPlay Ultra transforms your dash – and ditches the tech that drives us mad

Scottish Sun

time4 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

New CarPlay Ultra transforms your dash – and ditches the tech that drives us mad

Read on to find the features you'll love with the new system ULTRA COOL New CarPlay Ultra transforms your dash – and ditches the tech that drives us mad Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SOMETHING a bit different. It's not a car review. It's a world-first look at Apple CarPlay Ultra. Most of you with a newish car will hook up your iPhone and use the central touchscreen for music and maps. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Apple's first motoring collab is with Aston Martin – but expect CarPlay Ultra in more motors soon Credit: simon thompson 3 It's all very slick. All very easy. All very Apple. No handbook required Credit: simon thompson 3 There's some cool updates on the central touchscreen too Credit: simon thompson CarPlay Ultra allows you to use two screens. So you can have Waze or Apple Maps filling the driver's display in front of you. Finally. Apple's first collab is actually with Aston Martin but you can guarantee CarPlay Ultra will be popping up in other motors in the near future. There's some cool updates on the central touchscreen too. Swipe right for an Apple Watch-style dashboard with up/down toggles for weather, clock, calendar and more. There's a simple button to deactivate the bloody annoying driving assistance tech. We like that too. Plus, car-specific buttons for hill descent control and noisy exhaust mode. Radio station favourites are linked to your device. So when you're driving you've got talkSPORT and when your partner's at the wheel they've got Magic FM. Or vice versa. It's all very slick. All very easy. All very Apple. No handbook required. The funny thing is, when the DBX arrived in 2020 it didn't even have a touchscreen. Now it's top of the class. Dreamy lines. V8 engine. Cutting-edge tech. Aston Martin is on it.

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