Spotify launches podcast Memberships, creators keep 90% of the revenue

Spotify first previewed Memberships at its Investor Day back in May, and today the feature is rolling out in 34 markets. It lets eligible podcast creators charge their biggest fans a monthly fee for exclusive content and perks, and it replaces the podcast subscriptions Spotify introduced in 2021. Creators get to decide what their Membership includes: exclusive audio or video, bonus episodes, fewer ads, early access, access to a show's archive, or all of the above. They can also split their benefits into up to three tiers, each with its own price. Spotify isn't setting prices itself, though...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/spotify_launches_podcast_memberships_creators_keep_90_of_the_revenue-news-75156.php

Oppo sets its sights on Europe with faster launches and carrier partnerships

Until recently, smartphone makers focused on developing markets to grow their market share as the markets for premium phones were close to saturated. However, the massive increases in memory prices have caused makers to do a 180° turn and focus their attention on the premium market. Memory prices are so high that RAM and storage dominate the bill of materials on entry-level phones, making them unsustainable at their old prices. Meanwhile, premium devices have the margins to better absorb the price increases and they are aimed at a less price-sensitive audience. Oppo has set its...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_sets_its_sights_on_europe_with_faster_launches_and_carrier_partnerships-news-75151.php

Apple expands partnerships with American suppliers for the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro

Today Apple has announced new and expanded partnerships under its American Manufacturing Program (AMP), for critical materials and components used in the iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro, since nearly 100 components in those phones, from wireless chips to the silicon that powers key functions, are produced by American companies, with suppliers spread across more than a dozen states. [#InlinePriceWidget,13804,1#] [#InlinePriceWidget,14934,1#] Perryman Company supplies the grade 5 titanium enclosure of the iPhone Duo. Apple is committing up to $100 million over the next three years for...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_expands_partnerships_with_american_suppliers_for_the_iphone_duo_and_iphone_18_pro-news-75136.php

Apple caps iPhone Duo purchases at two per person in an attempt to tackle scalpers

Apple opened the iPhone Duo pre-orders about four days ago and seconds after the shipping dates slipped into January next year. With every product in extremely high demand and low on stock, scalpers gather and try to buy the item in large quantities and then sell it at an inflated price. That's why Apple now imposes a limit of two iPhone Duos per customer. The limit has so far been confirmed in the US, UK, Japan and Spain, but it's likely worldwide. There are already some eBay listings selling the iPhone Duo at an eye-watering $5,000. This is not the first time Apple is trying...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_caps_iphone_duo_purchases_at_two_per_person_in_an_attempt_to_tackle_scalpers-news-75135.php

UK wants Apple to open up iPhone contactless tech and charge lower fees

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has outlined proposals that would force Apple to open up the NFC tech in the iPhone to more third parties, on more favorable terms. According to the regulator, "Apple's fees and rules are blocking UK fintechs and other businesses from innovating and growing." The CMA says it has heard from UK businesses that Apple's current NFC access arrangements may not be commercially viable, that its fees and other terms may be onerous, and that the different technical approaches across countries and platforms make it harder to scale and compete. The...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/uk_wants_apple_to_open_up_iphone_contactless_tech_and_charge_lower_fees-news-75134.php

Samsung improves the power efficiency of the Exynos modems for the Galaxy S27 phones

Samsung’s Exynos-powered phones haven’t had the best reputation when it comes to standby power consumption – their modems tend to use more battery than the modems inside Snapdragon-powered Galaxy phones. But Samsung LSI may have finally cracked the problem. The M2700 modem, which will be used alongside the Exynos 2700 chipset in some Galaxy S27 models, promises better power efficiency, according to insiders who spoke to The Elec. “I understand that the M2700 achieved performance equivalent to or better than competitors' products through voltage adjustment and other measures,” said one...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_improves_the_power_efficiency_of_the_exynos_modems_for_the_galaxy_s27_phones-news-75130.php