Technology Exhibition and Program Market of the Arab States Broadcasting Union Launched in Tunis

A general view of Habib Bourguiba Avenue in downtown Tunis, virtually deserted on the first day of a general lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ordered by Tunisia's president, in Tunis, Tunisia, March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
A general view of Habib Bourguiba Avenue in downtown Tunis, virtually deserted on the first day of a general lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ordered by Tunisia's president, in Tunis, Tunisia, March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
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Technology Exhibition and Program Market of the Arab States Broadcasting Union Launched in Tunis

A general view of Habib Bourguiba Avenue in downtown Tunis, virtually deserted on the first day of a general lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ordered by Tunisia's president, in Tunis, Tunisia, March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
A general view of Habib Bourguiba Avenue in downtown Tunis, virtually deserted on the first day of a general lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ordered by Tunisia's president, in Tunis, Tunisia, March 22, 2020. (Reuters)

The technology exhibition “ASPO” for radio, television, and program market was launched in the City of Culture in the capital, Tunis. Organized by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) within the framework of the 24th session of the Arab Radio and Television Festival, the event included 90 exhibitors distributed over 98 pavilions, SPA reportd.
The Acting Minister of Culture Affairs of Tunisia, Moncef Boukthir; the President of the Arab States Broadcasting Union and CEO of the Radio and Television Corporation, Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harithi; and the Director-General of the Union, Eng. Abdel Rahim Suleiman co-opened the exhibition.
The most famous and oldest international companies that manufacture modern, integrated, and multimedia radio and television equipment, production and distribution companies for audio-visual content, both Arab and international, and providers of advanced services and technology, in addition to ASBU member bodies, television networks, private radio stations, and Arabic-speaking international satellite channels, are participating in ASPO and the software market.
On the sidelines of the opening of the technology exhibition, Al-Harithi presented honorary shields to a number of Tunisian and Arab media figures and personalities at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pavilion.



Apple Okays Epic Games Marketplace App in Europe

Smartphone with Epic Games logo is seen in front of Apple logo in this illustration taken, May 2, 2021. (Reuters)
Smartphone with Epic Games logo is seen in front of Apple logo in this illustration taken, May 2, 2021. (Reuters)
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Apple Okays Epic Games Marketplace App in Europe

Smartphone with Epic Games logo is seen in front of Apple logo in this illustration taken, May 2, 2021. (Reuters)
Smartphone with Epic Games logo is seen in front of Apple logo in this illustration taken, May 2, 2021. (Reuters)

Apple said on Friday it has approved Epic Games' games marketplace app on iPhones and iPads in Europe, after the "Fortnite" maker escalated its feud with the technology giant, accusing it of hindering its efforts to set up a games store on the devices.

Apple said the latest spat concerned the Epic Sweden AB Marketplace and has nothing to do with the video games maker's Fortnite app which has already been given the green light.

Apps developers and antitrust regulators have criticized Apple's tight control of the iOS app ecosystem.

Before Apple's announcement, Epic said the iPhone maker had twice rejected documents the video-game publisher submitted to launch the Epic Games Store because the design of certain buttons and labels was similar to those used by its App Store.

"We are using the same "Install" and "In-app purchases" naming conventions that are used across popular app stores on multiple platforms, and are following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps," Epic said in a series of posts on X.

"Apple's rejection is arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA (Digital Markets Act), and we've shared our concerns with the European Commission," it said.

The European Commission, which opened an investigation into the checks and reviews put in place by Apple to validate apps and alternative app stores to be sideloaded last month, declined to comment.

Epic and Apple have been waging a legal battle since 2020, when the gaming firm alleged Apple's practice of charging up to 30% commissions on in-app payments on its iPhone Operating System (iOS) devices violated US antitrust rules.

Early this year, Apple proposed changes to its App Store policies to comply with certain directives of the DMA that went into force in March.

It allowed alternative app stores on iPhones and an opt-out from using the in-app payments system, but set a "core technology fee", which several developers found exploitative.