Apple unleashes four shiny new emoji sticker packs
Apple announced at WWDC
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/news/a797658/apple-unveils-ios-10-to-c
ompletely-change-your-iphone/> that its Messages function would be
receiving a big upgrade through iOS 10. Thankfully for emoji lovers, that
included a fresh sweep of colourful emoticons.
The company has now given a clearer view at what that emoji-verse will look
like, releasing four new animated sticker packs for those testing the beta
version of the operating system.
Like Facebook's Messenger app, the Cupertino company's latest software
allows third-party developers to add specially designed emoji or GIF packs
to its iMessage app through an application programming interface.
The sets - three-dimensional smileys
<https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/smileys/id1127555487?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4> ,
old-school Mac icons
<https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/classic-mac/id1127542169?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D
4> , heart animations
<https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/hearts/id1127542179?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4>
and hand signs
<https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/hands/id1127554252?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4> -
became available in the App Store over the weekend, according to
<http://9to5mac.com/2016/07/02/apple-emoji-stickers/> 9to5Mac.
The new collections can be accessed within Apple's redesigned Messages app
under a tab with the App Store icon, though won't be available (unless
you're taking part in the beta) to the masses until iOS 10's release in
October.
Apple hits back at Spotify over update dispute
After last week's opening round
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/news/a799825/fighting-again-apple-has-
blocked-spotifys-latest-update/> of the heavyweight bout between Spotify
and Apple <http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/> , the latter has fired
back at criticism from the music streaming service.
The handbags began when Apple rejected an App Store update to Spotify, with
a promotion offered to users who signed up on Spotify's own website.
The move is an apparent rules breach, with redirection, rather than in-app
transactions, allowing Spotify to avoid sharing some of the revenue with
Apple.
In a letter sent by Apple's top lawyer, the company accuses the streaming
platform of asking for special treatment while blasting it for rumours and
alleged half-truths
As reported by
<https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/apple-fires-back-at-spotify-for-ask
ing-for-preferential-trea?utm_term=.cp05nWMD3#.nqX8KRNlA> BuzzFeed, the
letter sent by Apple's General Counsel Bruce Sewell notes that Spotify has
"benefited enormously" from Apple's App Store and asks the company to update
its app to bring it in line with the developer guidelines.
Spotify, though, was furious at the initial update block, calling Apple's
behaviour "anticompetitive" and suggesting that the company uses the App
Store approval process as a weapon to harm competitors.
While the next stage in this battle is unclear, Apple appears to be implying
that the Spotify app will not be updated until it falls into line.
Who will cave first?
