#454 - Why Epic Games is suing Apple (and why they might win)

This week: Battle of the Titans—Fortnite maker Epic Games takes Apple to court over its App Store policies, and they just might get their way. Plus: Apple and its stock hit another astonishing milestone; Prosser was right—Apple has begun rebranding Beats; and Apple TV+ finally makes the move we’ve been waiting for: bundling premium channels for one low price.

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On the show this week

@erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace

This week's stories

Apple expels Fortnite from the App Store; Epic Games sues

• Early last Thursday, Epic Games launched the Fortnite Mega Drop. This offers up to 20% discounts on in-app purchases made on iPhone, iPad or Android, as long as these are direct payments. Making the same purchases though the App Store costs the regular price.

Epic Games tries to talk Spotify, Sonos into creating anti-App Store coalition

• Epic Games, maker of Fortnite, is recruiting a team of like-minded companies to join its fight against Apple and its App Store policies, according to a report from The Information (paywall).

Apple hits astonishing $2 trillion market cap [Updated]

• And early Wednesday, Apple hit a massive $2 trillion valuation, becoming the first publicly traded U.S. company in history to hit this milestone.

Beats 1 becomes Apple Music 1 as Cupertino launches two new radio station

• Apple is rebranding Beats 1 as Apple Music 1, while also launching two new radio stations, the company said Tuesday. Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country will both feature their own exclusive radio shows.

Apple TV+ subscribers get 2-for-1 Showtime and CBS All Access bundle

• A subscription to Showtime costs $10.99 per month, while commercial-free CBS All Access is $9.99 per month, but Apple TV+ subscribers in the US can now also add a bundle of CBS All Access and Showtime for only $9.99 per month more.