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The Mandate-For-Browsing-Apps Edition Thursday, August 7, 2025

Apple's WebKit Browser Requirement May Break Japanese Law, by Thomas Claburn, The Register

Apple now faces challenges to its WebKit browser requirement in three jurisdictions, as authorities around the globe try to jumpstart competition in the mobile software industry.

Japan last week published legal guidance for its recent smartphone competition law, the Mobile Software Competition Act, indicating that restrictions like Apple's WebKit mandate for browsing apps will not be allowed.

‘F1’ Returns To Imax Theaters After Becoming Brad Pitt’s Highest-Grossing Movie Ever, by Jordan Moreau, Variety

“F1” recently crossed $552 million at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing original feature of the year and Apple’s largest film ever. It lapped Pitt’s previous best movie, his 2013 zombie movie “World War Z” which made $540 million at the box office (not adjusted for inflation). Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, “F1” has made $85 million and counting from Imax theaters alone, which is the highest of any film this year and accounted for 23% of its North America opening and 19% of its global launch.

Stuff

Singapore Gets Apple Maps' Detailed City Experience With Custom 3D Landmarks And New Features, by Aloysius Low, CNA

iPhone and iPad users in Singapore will now be able to get an upgraded Apple Maps experience, thanks to the new Detailed City Experience update that was rolled out on Thursday (Aug 7). Singapore is also the first city and country in Asia to receive the update.

The new Apple Maps experience will let you zoom in to check out a highly detailed Singapore map that features custom designed 3D landmarks that will be familiar to locals and really helpful for tourists, such as the Fullerton Hotel, Lau Pa Sat, the Merlion, as well as Apple’s floating Marina Bay Sands store.

Apple Maps Cycling Directions Expand To Taiwan And Hong Kong, by Tim Hardwick, MacRumors

Apple Maps has expanded the availability of cycling routes in East Asia by adding support for Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Apple Park Visitor Center's Rooftop Terrace Is Temporarily Closed, by Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

Apple says the rooftop terrace will be receiving some unspecified "improvements," and it will be closed until Monday, September 1 as a result.

Notes

The Internet Wants To Check Your I.D., by Kyle Chayka, New Yorker

The Tea spillage is emblematic of what’s at risk when we attach our real-life identities to our online activities. Yet the tethering of identity to digital access is precisely what is prescribed by a new wave of laws going into effect around the world and in bills under consideration in the U.S. [...] In theory, such laws protect minors, but in practice they affect all users’ experience of the internet. In order to verify who is a child online, after all, sites must also determine who is not.

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