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 This week was Apple launch week, and we're already seeing solid markdowns on the new M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Air, and more. Additionally, below you'll find deals on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and Apple Watch Series 11.
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Repair site iFixit did its traditional teardown on the MacBook Neo, and was pleasantly surprised with the laptop's repairability. "We haven't been as happy about a MacBook since 2012," says iFixit.
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Apple is lowering its developer fees in China following discussions with the Chinese regulator. From March 15, the commission rate for standard in-app purchases (IAPs) will be reduced from 30 percent to 25 percent on its mainland China App Store storefront for both iOS and iPadOS.
In a Developer blog, Apple also said that developers belonging to its App Store Small Business or Mini Apps programmes will also have their fees reduced by 3 percent, from 15 to 12 percent. This applies to the commission rate for IAPs and in-app subscription renewals after the first year.
"We strive for iOS and iPadOS to be the best app ecosystem and a great business opportunity for developers in China," Apple said in the post. "We are committed to terms that remain fair and transparent to all developers, and to always offering competitive App Store rates to developers distributing apps in China that are no higher than overall rates in other markets."
Apple says developers are not required to agree to the terms by March 15 to start receiving their benefits, seemingly making the transition as smooth as possible to avoid further regulatory intervention. It will no doubt be taken as a significant win for Chinese businesses, and comes a year after reports that a state watchdog was investigating the fees Apple enforces on developers it hosts on the App Store.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-reducing-its-app-store-commission-fees-in-china-131221192.html?src=rss
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It's hard to believe that it's been almost four years since Apple gave the MacBook Air a serious glow-up. The 2022 model was a total redesign that bumped its performance with the M2 chip and also improved a number of key components. It was also the first MacBook Air to drop the signature tapered design, and Apple added a 15-inch model one year later to boot. Since then, Apple's primarily focused on making sure it has a new chip every year — we're already up to the M5, if you can believe it.
As such, the latest MacBook Air is an expected update that doesn't change the game. Not that it needed changing: it's been our favorite ultraportable laptop for years now. But the Air's place in Apple's lineup has changed with the simultaneous introduction of the $599 MacBook Neo. And unfortunately, Apple didn't keep the $999 price that last year's M4 MacBook Air hit; it's back up to $1,099, the same price as the M2 and M3 models. Now that there's the new, inexpensive MacBook Neo out there, who is the MacBook Air for? While I haven't used the Neo yet, I'm pretty comfortable answering that question: it's still for almost anyone.
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 Sonos today launched two new speakers, the Sonos Play and the Sonos Era 100 SL. Sonos says that the additions to its lineup "reflect a renewed focus on strengthening the Sonos system" after a disastrous 2024 app redesign damaged customer trust.
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