The app economy is changing. Apple will be encouraging a subscription model, rather than the one-time purchase, by reducing its revenue cut on apps that have managed to hook a subscriber for at least one year. Now Google says it's doing the same, without the one-year condition. Developers have complained the current model only works for a few blockbusters, while most apps barely make a profit. Subscriptions are the golden ticket of business – recurring revenue. Apple will also be introducing sponsored apps – aka ads – to the App Store.
Missed last night's update? Catch up here.
The Bilderberg Group is having its 62nd reunion. (Hard to believe it's been a year since Lynne Everatt introduced us to the super secret high school clique for world leaders.) This year, they meet in Dresden, Germany to discuss the precariat – those who live constantly on the edge of a cliff. The single mom a paycheck away from homelessness and the cleaning lady paid in cash; the Uber drivers, Airtaskers, Amazon packers; the 80-year-old Walmart greeter and the 16-year-old homeless subway dancer – a reality worlds away from Bilderberg.
And yet... Because the economy is never a simple story, the US has reached its highest number (tied with July) of unfilled job openings – 5.8 million – since the start of the recovery. It's a welcome sign for workers that employers will be pressured to raise wages; it's also a warning sign to always keep our skills current.
Uber has been in talks with Fiat Chrysler over a potential partnership in self-driving cars, The WSJ reports. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has been barking up every tree trying to catch the company up by suggesting a merger with GM, offering to build a car for Apple, making overtures at Google and now even talking to Amazon. Uber is playing the field too and has talked to several carmakers. (In true Millennial fashion and practicing what he preaches, by the way, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick does not have a valid driver's license.)
Fuel emissions testing claims another leader. The CEO of 40+ years of Suzuki, Osamu Suzuki, will step down after the company found "discrepancies," but not cheating, in its tests.
Nike is sticking by tennis player Maria Sharapova, who was just handed a two-year suspension for, unwittingly she says, taking a banned medication. Nike has an 8-year, $70- to $100-million deal with Sharapova, reportedly its biggest ever with a female athlete. And we know how much Nike wants to keep its athletes...
Cover art: Billy Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds slides into the legs of Jhonny Peralta of the St. Louis Cardinals while trying to steal third base in the fifth inning on Wednesday in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hamilton was called out as St. Louis defeated Cincinnati 12-7. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
0 Response to "Apple changes the rules of the app store; US companies can't fill their jobs, and more news."
Post a Comment