Tag: Europe

On March 31, 2025, Apple introduced a handy new tool called Priority Notifications. This feature is part of its growing Apple Intelligence system, which is now available in the European Union. It helps users spot important messages fast by marking urgent emails, texts, or app alerts with a special sign. For example, it can highlight a reminder about a doctor’s visit or a warning about a flight delay.

The company says this update makes life easier by cutting through the noise of everyday notifications. Users can tweak settings to decide what counts as “urgent” based on their needs. Apple Intelligence uses smart tech to learn what matters most to each person, like key words or habits, without being too pushy.

This rollout also marks a big step for Apple in the EU. After facing some rules and delays, the company is now bringing its full smart system to the region. Priority Notifications work across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, so people stay in the loop no matter which device they’re using. Early users say it’s a simple but powerful way to stay on top of things.

Apple plans to keep improving its smart tools, with more updates coming later this year. For now, Priority Notifications are a win for anyone who wants to focus on what’s important without digging through a flood of pings and buzzes. It’s a small change that could make a big difference.

The European Union (EU) is set to charge Apple a small fine for not following the Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to Reuters. This law helps keep big tech companies in check, and Apple seems to have slipped up.

Last year, the EU found that Apple wasn’t playing fair with its App Store rules. Specifically, it didn’t let app makers tell users about cheaper options outside the store. In June, EU competition boss Margrethe Vestager called out Apple for some “pretty big” problems with following the DMA. She wasn’t impressed with the changes Apple made, saying they didn’t meet expectations for a company of its size.

To fix this, Apple updated its App Store rules in Europe last year. It allowed apps to be sold outside the store and added new payment options. After feedback from the EU, Apple also tweaked its rules in August to make it clearer that developers could share outside deals. These quick updates can be tricky to follow, so developers in the EU can check Apple’s website for the latest rules.

The DMA lets the EU fine companies up to 10% of their yearly global sales, but Reuters sources say the focus is on getting companies to follow the rules, not hitting them with huge penalties. Things might also shift because U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on countries fining American firms like Apple. Plus, with nthe ew EU leadership, the fine might not be as tough as it could’ve been last year. The EU hasn’t set the fine amount yet, but a decision is expected soon.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, Apple’s facing similar heat. The government there is pushing Apple to allow sideloading—installing apps from outside the App Store. Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, plans to bring the game back to iOS in Brazil by July after these changes. Apple has until June to follow Brazil’s rules or face daily fines. Though Apple’s appealing the decision, it may have to adapt, just like it did in Europe, where sideloading is already allowed.