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Over 540,000 apps wiped from Apple App Store in Q3 reaching lowest number in 7 years

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The App Store remains a crucial segment in Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) business line; hence the number of applications on the platform has emerged as a critical metric to track. Over the years, the apps on the App Store have fluctuated marginally, but the recent quarter highlights an accelerated drop in apps. 

In particular, according to data acquired by Finbold, the number of apps in the Apple App Store hit a seven-year low during 2022 Q3 to stand at 1,642,759. The value represents a drop of 541,697 or 24.79% from the 2,184,456 registered during Q2 2022. The last time the number of apps was this low was during Q3 2015 at 1,672,271.

Elsewhere, regarding the number of apps on leading app stores globally as of Q3 2022, Google Play Store ranks top at 3,553,050 while App Store ranks second at 1,642,759. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Appstore has the third highest number of applications at 483,328. 

Policy changes trigger a drop in App Store apps 

It is worth noting that removing apps from the App Store is a perennial practice initiated by Apple as part of maintaining quality on the platform. However, the recent spike in removed apps can be attributed to several decisions by the company to improve user experience. 

In this case, in April 2022, the company notified developers that it was rolling out a plan to remove old apps that had not been updated for some time. The directive saw developers directed to make updates within 30 days or risk removal from the platform. 

Previously, Apple had not set any timeline for removing apps, but the recent update stressed that cleaning the App Store is an ongoing process and will evaluate apps, removing apps that no longer function as planned, don’t adhere to reviewed guidelines, or need to be updated.

Notably, the policy has received a lot of criticism, with developers arguing that the old apps should continue to exist on the platform as long as they are still functional. For instance, gaming developers maintain that the apps should be treated as old video games that remain playable on consoles.

At the same time, in recent months, the App Store has become a center of controversy with reported scams and fraudulent applications existing on the platform. In this case, the company resorted to removing virus-scanning apps, app clones, and other low-quality apps cluttering the App Store, with Apple maintaining that the App Store offers a safe experience for users. 

Overall, removing apps aligns with Apple’s long-standing policy of curating the App Store to eliminate apps that routinely fail to adhere to set standards. 

App Store drop in revenue

Interestingly, the drop in the number of apps has also correlated with a period in which the App Store registered one of the significant declines in revenues during 2022 Q3. Notably, the revenue plunge was also witnessed from the gaming apps that are crucial to the store’s financial performance.

In the meantime, Apple continues to explore the App Store as a possible strategic source of revenue through some decisions that have been deemed unpopular, like increasing app purchases, in-app purchases, and subscriptions from the App Store.

Elsewhere, the App Store trails the Google Play Store in the number of applications driven by factors like a larger Android market than iOS devices. Also, developing Android apps is cheaper since developers do not need significant resources. At the same time, approval for publishing apps on the Play Store is less cumbersome.

App Store future outlook  

At the same time, the outlook of the App Store is likely to be impacted in the future, especially with regulators increasingly cracking down on the company’s market dominance. This is highlighted by a recent European antitrust law that aims to allow users to install software applications from third parties.

In general, the number of apps removed from the App Store will likely increase, especially with the company targeting specific sectors. For instance, Apple recently clarified its rules for apps affecting cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). For crypto exchanges, Apple’s policy indicates that the apps may facilitate transactions or transmissions of cryptocurrency on a regulated exchange. However, such apps can only be offered in regions with licensing and permission to operate a business.

The post Over 540,000 apps wiped from Apple App Store in Q3 reaching lowest number in 7 years appeared first on Finbold.

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Elon Musk’s AI projects Bitcoin at $120,000 after second Fed rate cut

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Grok, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence, projects new momentum for Bitcoin and XRP. This forecast comes after the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) announced its second consecutive rate cut. The decision seeks to stimulate the slowing economy, moving the federal funds range to 3.75%-4%. Grok’s prediction on Bitcoin and XRP suggests a favorable scenario.

The Federal Reserve approved the rate reduction with a 10-2 majority vote. The objective is clear: to curb the employment slowdown in the country. Historically, this type of expansionary monetary policy benefits risk assets. Immediately after the announcement, Bitcoin showed volatility. It briefly fell to $110,000 but managed a slight recovery above $110,600.

Grok’s prediction on Bitcoin and XRP is not isolated. Market analysts support this optimistic view. Improved global liquidity and rate cuts are key factors. Furthermore, institutional inflows into spot ETFs for Bitcoin continue to be robust. According to data from Farside Investors, these funds hold over $60 billion in assets. Figures like Michael Saylor project Bitcoin between $150,000 and $200,000 by 2025.

How high can BTC and XRP go according to artificial intelligence?

Grok’s analysis estimates an 8% rise for Bitcoin in the coming days. The projection for November places BTC at the $120,000 level. However, caution remains if Fed Chair Jerome Powell adopts a conservative tone. For XRP, the forecast is also positive. The AI detects that XRP is more sensitive to changes in interest rates. This is due to its use in cross-border payments. Grok projects that XRP could reach $3, a 14% rise by November.

The rate cut fosters a positive scenario for the digital economy. The AI forecasts reinforce a narrative of a moderate bull cycle. This cycle is supported by macroeconomic fundamentals and growing institutional interest. Nonetheless, AI projections face inherent limitations. Models cannot reliably anticipate unexpected regulatory events. Therefore, every strategy must be supplemented with research and responsible risk management.

The post Elon Musk’s AI projects Bitcoin at $120,000 after second Fed rate cut appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

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Bitcoin Miner Stocks Rebound Today Sharply Thanks to the AI Boom

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Stocks linked to cryptocurrencies, led by Bitcoin mining companies, experienced a notable recovery this Monday. This bullish movement was primarily driven by renewed optimism in the artificial intelligence sector. According to analysts from the financial firm B. Riley, the market is reacting positively to news from the technology sector. The Bitcoin miner stocks rebound amid growing interest in computational infrastructure.

The main catalyst of the day was the announcement of a strategic agreement. OpenAI, the renowned artificial intelligence firm, selected Broadcom (AVGO) to develop its next custom AI chips. This news caused Broadcom’s shares to reach a new all-time high. Consequently, the enthusiasm spread to other technology assets. The rally was led by major mining companies, such as Marathon Digital (MARA), which saw its shares rise by 10%. Similarly, Riot Platforms (RIOT) and CleanSpark (CLSK) posted gains of nearly 8%.

The Domino Effect of the Boom in Artificial Intelligence

This rally in mining stocks occurred despite the relative stability of Bitcoin’s price. The main crypto asset remained trading around $66,000, showing no major fluctuations. The disconnect suggests that investors are valuing these companies for their indirect exposure to the artificial intelligence sector. Analysts note that cryptocurrency stocks are considered “high-beta” assets. Therefore, they tend to amplify the movements of major technology indices, such as the Nasdaq.

The relevance of this event lies in the growing correlation between the AI narrative and the digital asset market. The demand for energy and computational power is a key link that unites both sectors. Data centers for artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining farms compete for similar resources. This operational parallel is capturing the attention of investors. For this reason, they are looking for growth opportunities at the intersection of these two disruptive technologies.

A New Correlation for the Crypto Market?

The impact on the market is significant, as it diversifies the factors influencing the valuation of mining companies. Previously, their performance was almost exclusively tied to the price of Bitcoin. Now, the AI boom is emerging as a new growth driver for these stocks. For investors, this represents an opportunity to gain exposure to the artificial intelligence sector through the cryptocurrency market. This could attract a new flow of capital into the ecosystem.

The day shows that the crypto market’s sensitivity to broader technological trends remains very high. The future performance of mining stocks could increasingly depend on advances in the AI field. Consequently, market observers will be watching to see if this correlation strengthens. The link between AI and digital mining could redefine investment strategies in the medium and long term within the digital asset sector.

The post Bitcoin Miner Stocks Rebound Today Sharply Thanks to the AI Boom appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

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California Passes Historic AI Chatbot Regulation to Protect Minors

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Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a pioneering bill that establishes the first AI chatbot regulation in California, focusing on platforms that simulate friendship or intimacy. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 243 and introduced by State Senator Steve Padilla, was signed into law this Monday, marking a milestone in artificial intelligence oversight and the protection of vulnerable users, especially minors.

The new regulation requires developer companies of these chatbots to implement clear safeguards. The law mandates the explicit disclosure of the chatbot’s artificial identity, ensuring users know they are interacting with software and not a person. Furthermore, it specifically prohibits chatbots from engaging in conversations about sexual or self-harm topics with minors and establishes protocols for reporting detected cases of suicidal ideation to the state’s Office of Suicide Prevention.

This legislation is relevant because it shifts the focus of AI supervision. Instead of concentrating solely on model architecture or data bias, it directly addresses the emotional interaction between humans and machines. California becomes the first state to set clear boundaries for “companion” chatbots, setting a precedent that could influence future regulations nationwide. The measure seeks to balance innovation with protection, an increasingly present debate in the tech sector.

Real Protection or a Symbolic Gesture?

Despite its passage, the bill is not without controversy. Advocacy groups like Common Sense Media withdrew their support, arguing that the final version was “watered down” after industry lobbying. They label the law as a hollow gesture rather than meaningful policy, as key provisions like external audits were removed. For developers, implementation presents challenges, such as age verification and the risk of restricting legitimate mental health conversations out of caution.

The debate over this law’s actual impact is just beginning. While Governor Newsom defends it as a necessary guardrail, the industry and advocacy groups are closely watching its implementation. The success of this regulation will shape the future of AI governance, determining whether it is possible to create a safer digital environment without stifling the potential of these emerging technologies to offer support and connection.

The post California Passes Historic AI Chatbot Regulation to Protect Minors appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

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