Book of Travels Adds New Content, Fixes, and Introduces A New EU Server Region

Apple is set to introduce substantial changes to its ecosystem in the European Union, scheduled to roll out by March 6. One of the notable modifications is to allow iPhone users to sideload apps from third-party stores, a departure from Steve Jobs' original stance due to security concerns. The shift is part of iOS 17.4, primarily targeting EU countries, and aims to enhance user flexibility while maintaining security standards.

Four years after leaving iOS, Fortnite is coming back — but only European players will be dropping in this time.

Epic Games has announced that it will be bringing Fortnite back to iOS devices later this year thanks in part to a change in EU law.

Alongside the numerous changes Apple is making to its platforms to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), the company is also updating its rules around streaming game services and other apps that provide access to mini-apps or games. The changes could impact companies like Netflix, which has expanded into mobile and cloud gaming in recent months, as well as efforts from other tech giants like OpenAI, which offers a GPT store, and Meta, which in 2022 had shut down its attempt at running a standalone Facebook Gaming app after failing to gain traction.

Apple's app platform is finally opening up a bit. Today, the company said that it will allow developers to utilize new in-app experiences, including streaming games, accessing mini-apps, and talking with chatbots. That means devs can create a single app that houses an easily accessible catalog of their streaming titles. Perhaps we'll finally see a usable Game Pass app from Microsoft (or even its long-awaited mobile game store).

Global electricity demand from data centers, cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence could more than double over the next three years, adding the equivalent of Germany's entire power needs, the International Energy Agency forecasts in its latest report.

Apple plans to add new fees and restrictions when it starts allowing third-party software downloads outside its App Store, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Following a lengthy investigation, the United States Justice Department is set to file a lawsuit against Apple for potentially breaching antitrust laws. The department alleges Apple is using hardware and software limitations that make it harder for rival companies to compete with iPhones and iPads. If the filing goes ahead, it will mean each of the “big four” tech companies – Amazon, Meta, Google and Apple – will have been sued by the US federal government within the past five years for monopolistic business practices.

New World’s latest update is here, ending the Legacy of Crassus event until next time, fixing a bunch of bugs, and making several adjustments to narrative and stats for Eternal Frost content.  The update is live, and a confirmed announcement is here for server merge plans.

Sony has revealed the PlayStation Store's most downloaded games of last year. And while the usual suspects are all present and accounted for, there are some nice surprises thrown in too.

Taking to the PlayStation Blog, Sony has revealed lists of the most downloaded games throughout 2023. The list has been split into several distinct categories across regions, platforms, and even a distinct list for PSVR and PSVR2.

Thank your own personal deity—possibly Zodiark—it's Friday! You've just about made it through the grind of the working week, so pat yourself on the back. Better yet, reward yourself with some good old-fashioned escapism from the lists below. Because, hey, it's probably gonna be too bloody hot to do anything on the weekend anyway. Staring down the barrel at 36°C+ over here. Awesome.