Author: alex

UK CMA designates Apple and Google with “Strategic Market Status” The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has placed Apple and Google under expanded oversight by designating them with Strategic Market Status (SMS). Similar in spirit to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, the UK’s SMS regime (under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024) lets the CMA’s Digital Markets Unit set tailored conduct requirements for firms with entrenched “gateway” power. What SMS can mean in practice Conduct rules: Obligations to prevent anti‑competitive behavior (e.g., self‑preferencing) and ensure fair dealing with business users. Interoperability & access: Potential requirements to open up key functionality/APIs and data on fair, reasonable terms. User choice & neutrality: Measures impacting defaults, app distribution and in‑app payments to increase switching and choice. Pro‑competitive interventions: Targeted remedies…

UK CMA designates Apple and Google with “Strategic Market Status” The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has placed Apple and Google under expanded oversight by designating them with Strategic Market Status (SMS). Similar in spirit to the EU’s Digital Markets Act framework, the SMS regime under the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 empowers the CMA’s Digital Markets Unit to impose tailored conduct requirements on firms with entrenched, gateway power. What SMS can mean in practice Conduct requirements: Rules to curb anti-competitive behavior (e.g., self-preferencing) and promote fair dealing with business users. Interoperability and access: Potential obligations to open up key functionality or data on fair, reasonable terms. Choice and neutrality: Measures around defaults, app distribution and in-app payments to ensure user choice and developer freedom. Pro-competitive…

Samsung’s Galaxy XR: Polished hardware, thin apps — can Android XR catch up? Samsung has introduced the Galaxy XR, the first major Android XR headset to hit the market. Priced around $1,800, it pairs a sleek, ski‑goggle design with dual micro‑OLED displays and hand‑gesture interaction via multiple cameras and sensors. The pitch: an AI‑native device that leans on Google’s Gemini for multimodal features. What’s notable Premium optics and build: Dual micro‑OLED panels and a refined form factor echo the high‑end approach we’ve seen in rival headsets. Hands‑free control: Camera‑driven hand tracking and pinch/gesture inputs reduce reliance on controllers. AI angle: Samsung frames Galaxy XR as an “AI‑native” device, tapping camera and voice for Gemini‑powered assistance. Early limitations App drought: Aside from Google apps (e.g., Maps, Photos) and YouTube 360° video,…

UK CMA classifies Apple and Google as market‑dominant (SMS): what expanded oversight under the DMCC means The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has placed Apple and Google under expanded oversight by designating them with Strategic Market Status (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC). Similar in spirit to the EU’s DMA but tailored by firm, the SMS regime is designed to keep key digital markets open and competitive. It is not a finding of wrongdoing; rather, it enables the CMA to set proactive conduct rules and, where needed, order pro‑competitive interventions. What “Strategic Market Status” means Legal basis: The DMCC empowers the CMA to set conduct requirements for firms with substantial, entrenched power and strategic significance, and to mandate pro‑competitive interventions where appropriate. Covered ecosystems:…

UK CMA designates Apple and Google as market-dominant (SMS): what expanded oversight means under the DMCC The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally placed Apple and Google under expanded oversight by designating them with Strategic Market Status (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC). The move mirrors parts of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) approach, but lets the CMA tailor firm-specific rules. It’s not a finding of wrongdoing; it enables proactive regulation of key mobile platform bottlenecks. What SMS means Legal basis: DMCC 2024 empowers the CMA to set conduct requirements and, where needed, order pro‑competitive interventions. Who is covered: Apple’s iOS and App Store; Google’s Android and Play Store, plus related services. Duration: Designations are typically time‑limited (e.g., up to five years)…

UK CMA designates Apple and Google with Strategic Market Status (SMS) under the DMCC The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally designated Apple and Google as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC). The move places both firms under enhanced oversight in the UK and enables the CMA to impose tailored conduct requirements to keep mobile ecosystems open and competitive. What changed SMS designation: Recognizes substantial, entrenched market power and strategic significance in digital markets. It is not itself a finding of wrongdoing. Targets: Apple’s iOS and App Store; Google’s Android and Play Store — plus related services like mobile browsers, in‑app payments and default settings. What SMS means (at a glance) Conduct requirements: The CMA can set firm‑specific rules…

New on Netflix in November 2025: 50 Originals, 8 Licenses, and del Toro’s Frankenstein Netflix has announced its November lineup featuring 50 new originals (series and films) and 8 licensed titles. The marquee release is a fresh take on Frankenstein from Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, premiering November 7. At a glance 50 Netflix Originals rolling out across November 2025 8 licensed titles joining the catalog Spotlight: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (Nov 7) Note: Availability may vary by region Why it matters The slate underscores Netflix’s push on first-party content, anchoring the month with an auteur-led classic reimagining. Expect a mix of genre fare, international shows and family-friendly drops to crowd your watchlist. Tips to plan your queue Use My List and Remind Me to track premieres Check 4K/HDR and…

UK designates Apple and Google with Strategic Market Status: what the DMCC means The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally designated Apple and Google as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC). The move recognizes their entrenched market power in key parts of the mobile ecosystem and allows the CMA to impose targeted rules to keep those markets open and competitive. What "Strategic Market Status" means SMS is a legal designation under the DMCC for firms with substantial and entrenched market power and strategic significance in digital markets. It doesn’t allege wrongdoing by itself; instead, it gives the CMA tools to set conduct requirements and, where needed, order pro-competitive interventions. Scope: where the CMA can act App distribution: App stores,…

What’s New on Netflix in November 2025: 50 Originals, 8 Licenses, and del Toro’s Frankenstein Netflix has announced its November lineup, adding 50 new originals (films and series) plus 8 licensed titles. The headline release is a new interpretation of Frankenstein from Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, arriving November 7. At a glance 50 Netflix Originals coming throughout November 2025 (series + films). 8 licensed titles joining the catalog. Spotlight: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (Nov 7). Note: Availability may vary by country/region. Why this matters Netflix’s slate signals another heavy month for streaming, with an emphasis on first-party originals. Del Toro’s Frankenstein stands out as a prestige, auteur-led adaptation that could anchor the service’s fall lineup. Expect a mix of genre series, international titles and family-friendly drops rounding out the…

UK CMA designates Apple and Google as market‑dominant, expanding oversight The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has classified Apple and Google as market‑dominant in key digital markets by designating them with Strategic Market Status (SMS). The decision brings expanded oversight of how both companies operate app stores, manage in‑app payments, set default apps and leverage user data—broadly echoing elements of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), while remaining a separate UK framework. What’s changing Closer scrutiny of core platform rules: App store terms, billing options, default apps (browser/search) and cross‑service data use will face stricter review. Tailored conduct requirements: The CMA can impose obligations to curb self‑preferencing and ensure fair access for rival services and developers. User choice & interoperability: Potential measures to ease switching, improve data portability and…