Kalakshar US

Earlier today, third-party app store AltStore PAL, announced that a porn app called Hot Tub was now available to iOS users in the European Union. The marketplace, which enables people in the EU to sideload apps outside of Apple’s App Store, described it as the “first Apple-approved porn app.”

Now, Apple says it’s “deeply concerned” about Hot Tub, which as TechCrunch noted, is the first time a porn app has been available natively for the iPhone. “We are deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore porn apps of this type create for EU users, especially kids,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement. “This app and others like it will undermine consumer trust and confidence in our ecosystem that we have worked for more than a decade to make the best in the world. Contrary to the false statements made by the marketplace developer, we certainly do not approve of this app and would never offer it in our App Store.”

As Apple has pointed out, its notarization guidelines state that app makers shouldn’t “suggest or imply that Apple is a source or supplier of the App, or that Apple endorses any particular representation regarding quality or functionality.” AltStore’s statements would seem to go against that guidance.

An image shared on AltStore’s Mastodon account.

But in a statement to Engadget, AltStore creator Riley Testut denied making “any false statements.” Hot Tub, he says, “was submitted to Apple’s own notarization process where it was then approved by Apple employees for distribution with alternative app marketplaces such as AltStore PAL.” He said it was this approval that AltStore was referencing in its marketing. “The DMA also does not require that Apple approves apps for distribution, they have chosen to do so themselves,” he added, referring to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

Apple has made little secret of its frustration with the DMA, which requires it to allow third-party app stores in Europe. “The truth is that we are required by the European Commission to allow it to be distributed by marketplace operators like AltStore and Epic who may not share our concerns for user safety,” the company said in its statement about Hot Tub on Monday. 

In addition to AltStore, Fortnite maker and longtime Apple foe Epic, recently announced plans to bring third-party mobile games to its Epic Games app in the EU. Though AltStore Pal and Epic aren’t officially affiliated, Epic gave the alternative app store a “MegaGrant” last year to help fund the “core technology fees” third-party app stores are required to pay Apple.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-deeply-concerned-about-altstores-porn-app-005013457.html?src=rss 

Uber rolled out a new set of features on Monday that could remove some friction for people with service animals. The company now lets handlers automatically notify drivers that they ride with a service animal.

In a blog post, Chris Yoon, an Uber Product Manager, wrote that he “joined Uber with a singular mission: to help expand accessibility in rideshare, including for those who rely on service animals.” He says he and other blind travelers often message drivers in advance to let them know about their service animals. Today’s new features can automate that for them if they choose.

Drivers who consider refusing rides will have to think twice — and then some. If the driver requests a cancelation after learning about the service animal, Uber will automatically send an in-app reminder that doing so is against not only company policy but also the law. Uber says drivers refusing rides with service animals “may permanently lose access to the platform.”

Passengers who opt into the new features will automatically receive a message after a driver cancels, asking what happened and offering additional support. Those who don’t use the feature can contact the company through the app or over the phone.

Riders can set up the feature through the Uber app. Go to Account > Settings > Accessibility, and tap Service Animal. It will then prompt you to fill out an eligibility form and pick which parts of the feature (like notifying the driver in advance) you want to turn on.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-wants-to-make-rides-easier-for-people-with-service-animals-210958456.html?src=rss 

Nuance Audio, new “hearing glasses” from EssilorLuxottica, have received FDA clearance and “a CE marking under the Medical Devices regulation in the EU,” making them officially ready to sell in the US and Europe.

The smart glasses are essentially prescription frames with an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid built-in. Using open-ear speakers and a beamforming microphone array, Nuance Audio can raise the volume of whoever you’re speaking to, while attempting to cancel out whatever noise is going on around you. You can control the glasses with a companion app or a dedicated remote.

The glasses come in only two shapes, two colors and three sizes, far fewer options than EssilorLuxottica’s traditional glasses brands, or the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, but the tech seems like it could be ported to new frames down the road. Engadget deputy editor Cherlynn Low was able to try on Nuance Audio during CES 2025 and found them to be very comfortable and lightweight, though she wasn’t able to adequately test their capabilities as a hearing device.

Nuance Audio is just the latest in a wave of new hearing aid-like devices that have been released since the FDA introduced its ruling on OTC hearing aids in 2022. Similar to Nuance Audio, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 now offer software-enabled hearing aid functionality, along with a built-in hearing test and a hearing protection feature for loud environments. While turning every pair of AirPods Pro 2 into a hearing aids is great from a cost-saving perspective, getting a pair of Nuance Audio frames that can also double as your prescription glasses seems potentially even more convenient.

EssilorLuxottica says Nuance Audio will be available in the US in Q1. “Certain European countries” will also get the glasses in the first half of 2025, starting with Italy in Q1, and then France, Germany and the UK. The company hasn’t shared official pricing for the Nuance Audio.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-fda-and-eu-clear-nuance-audio-smart-glasses-with-built-in-hearing-aids-for-sale-211053856.html?src=rss