Apple’s App Store walls just came crumbling down

Plus: podcast your documents, a smarter vacuum, and a new speed test

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It’s been a while since I’ve done an in-person event, but last Sunday I spent time at the LA Times Festival of Books and got to meet a bunch of KTLA viewers.

Hearing your stories, your kind words, and how you watch, listen, and follow what I do - it meant a lot.

It’s funny - on your end, I’m just someone on TV, social media, the radio, or in this newsletter. But in person, I’m just a guy who really wants to help people make sense of tech. That’s always been the goal - and it still is. So thank you for joining me on this journey.

Apple Loses in Court - and You Might Save Some Money

Now on to the big story of the week: Apple.

Did you know that if you subscribe to YouTube Premium through the YouTube app on your iPhone, it’ll cost you $18.99 a month - but if you go to YouTube’s website, it’s only $13.99? That extra cost is because Apple charges a 30% commission on subscriptions made through iPhone apps, and companies pass that fee on to you.

The reason you’re not told about the cheaper option? Apple doesn’t allow developers to mention it in the app.

It’s a double-edged sword. Apple built a massive platform that allows developers to reach millions of iPhone users - and many developers have made fortunes off 99-cent apps. For them, the “Apple tax” is worth it.

But for big players like Spotify, Netflix, and Fortnite, that 30% fee feels more like a burden than a benefit. They argue that Apple isn’t helping them get customers - yet still takes a recurring cut each month.

Several years ago, Fortnite fought back and won part of the battle. A judge ordered Apple to allow apps to link to third-party payment options. But Apple wasn’t exactly cooperative. They either ignored the ruling or made it so difficult to implement that hardly anyone benefited. Then they added a new 27% fee on purchases that originated from the iPhone but were completed elsewhere.

Well, this week, a judge said enough is enough. She ruled that Apple willfully violated her 2021 order and even referred the company to federal prosecutors for potential criminal contempt.

Effective immediately, developers can now include clear links to external payment options. Spotify and Patreon are already rolling out updates. And Fortnite is coming back to the App Store next week.

Apple’s in a tricky spot. Not every developer will jump to add external payments, but many will - especially the big ones. That could put a major dent in Apple’s App Store revenue.

So what does this mean for you? It’s a bit of a tradeoff. Apple’s system has always been streamlined and secure - one payment method for everything, all your subscriptions in one place. With these new changes, you might be redirected to different websites, and it’ll be up to you to keep track of payments and billing. There’s also the question of security - Apple’s system is built with privacy in mind, while not every developer has the same safeguards in place.

But the upside? You might finally save money, now that developers can offer better prices outside the App Store.

Apple, for its part, says it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal - but in the meantime, it’s complying with the new rules. Stay tuned.

Google’s AI Turns Notes Into Podcasts—and I’m Hooked

I’m a little obsessed with this new Google tool that turns your notes and documents into a podcast-style discussion. It’s part of Google’s Notebook LM platform—but you can access it quickly through the Gemini app on your iPhone or Android.

Here’s why I find it so useful: Imagine someone sends you a long report or research paper. Instead of reading it, you can drop the PDF into this tool and hear two AI-generated hosts break it down in an easy-to-follow conversation. It’s like having a smart, personal explainer in your pocket.

I’ve been using it a lot lately—especially while driving or walking. Just upload a document in the Gemini app, hit the plus sign, and don’t press send. Instead, wait for the “Generate audio overview” button to appear. Tap that, and you’ll get a podcast-style summary you can listen to on the go.

It’s a great new way to absorb information. Try it with something you’re curious about. It’s pretty amazing.

Bandana.com Makes Finding Hourly Jobs Way Less Intimidating

Looking for a job can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re searching for hourly or entry-level work. That’s why I love a new site called Bandana.com. It was started by a team out of New York City and is focused specifically on jobs for hourly, entry-level, and blue-collar workers.

What makes it different? Instead of scraping listings from other job sites, Bandana goes straight to employer websites - like actual company career pages—and pulls the listings directly. That means you’re getting real jobs, not duplicates or expired posts.

You’ll also see helpful details like how much the job pays after taxes and where it’s located, so you can find work close to home. The site is free, clean, and easy to use.

Right now, it’s available in a handful of cities including New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Chicago, with more locations coming soon. If you or someone you know is on the hunt for hourly work, definitely check it out.

Roku’s New Gadgets & a Surprising Streaming Deal

Roku just showed off some new gear at a media event in New York City - and the company has been busy on more than just the hardware front.

First, the products: Roku introduced a couple of updated streaming devices that are even smaller and faster than before.

Also interesting is Roku’s $185 million acquisition of a streaming service called Frndly. You may not know the name, but you probably know someone who’s used it - especially around the holidays. It’s popular for streaming the Hallmark Channel and other family-friendly content, and Roku says it wants to bring that catalog into its growing lineup of ad-supported and subscription offerings.

It’s another signal that Roku isn’t just a platform - it’s becoming a bigger player in the content game, too.

Tech Tidbits

If you paid for Avast antivirus, check your inbox. You might be eligible for a settlement payout related to data privacy concerns.

Common Sense Media has weighed in on AI chat companions for kids—and their message is clear: they’re not safe for anyone under 18. Think twice before letting your kid chat with one.

Kayak just launched Kayak.ai, a new tool that helps you plan trips using a chat-style interface. You can ask things like, “Where can I fly nonstop this weekend for under $300?” and it’ll give you real-time results.

Google Gemini just got a fun new upgrade—you can now upload an image and tell it exactly what to change. Want to add a dinosaur to your beach photo? It’s surprisingly good at that.

Before and After

And if you have a first- or second-gen Nest Learning Thermostat, heads up: Google is ending support on October 25, 2025. After that, they’ll still work, but only manually—no more app control or remote access.

Gadget of the Week: Roborock F25 Wet and Dry Vacuum

When Roborock offered to send me one of their vacuums to test, I assumed it’d be one of their robot vacs. Instead, I got the F25 - a full-size, stand-up vacuum that also mops. And now, I’m sold.

You fill it with water and a little cleaning solution, and it vacuums and mops your floors at the same time. It does a great job picking up debris and scrubbing as it goes. It’s surprisingly easy to use and set up, with voice prompts and a self-cleaning, self-drying mode that keeps maintenance to a minimum.

The only thing to watch out for? Make sure to empty and clean the collection tank. If you forget, like I did, it can get pretty smelly.

If you’ve got hardwood, tile, or any non-carpet floors, this is a great tool to keep things clean - I’ve used it more in the past two weeks than I’ve mopped in months. Could be a smart Mother’s Day gift too. Prices start at $300.

Downloads and Bookmarks

A new app called Orb, from the folks who created Ookla’s speed test, goes beyond measuring just download and upload speeds—it gives your internet a score based on speed, reliability, and responsiveness. The app’s sleek design makes it easy to use, and it encourages you to run tests regularly so you can track how your internet performs over time—perfect if you’re troubleshooting lag or streaming issues.

Google is launching iOS and Android apps for its popular Notebook LM. You can now pre-order them—once they’re live on May 20, they’ll automatically download to your phone.

The movie tracking app Kernel just added a clever AI feature: describe a movie or a scene you vaguely remember, and it will try to identify it for you. Super helpful when you’ve got that “what was that movie?” moment.

Meta has a new standalone app for its AI. What makes it different is a Discover feed—kind of like a Facebook or Instagram feed, but filled with creative things people are doing with Meta AI. It’s a fun way to see what’s possible.

And here’s a cool app I recently learned about in real life: Buy Nothing. A neighbor stopped by to pick something up from our block, and it turns out they were using this app. It’s a way to give away things you no longer need, without selling—just list your item and someone nearby might come pick it up. Simple, smart, and zero waste.

Q&A - Apple Watch Step Tracking

Kerry from Mount Holly, New Jersey writes in via podcast:

“Hey Rich. So, we just got Apple Watches (8th Generation) after using a different smartwatch for years. Our old watch would show steps right on the watch face. I’ve read that the Apple Watch has no native steps app. Free third-party apps say they’re free, but only give you a one-week trial period. Do you know of any truly free apps? This is sooo frustrating! Thanks Rich—and of course, love your show!!”

Thanks, Kerry! This does seem like an obvious oversight - most people expect steps to be front and center - but Apple seems more focused on showing your Activity Rings instead of raw step counts.

If you want a clean, simple step counter, check out a free app called Pedometer++. Once installed, open the Watch app on your iPhone, choose a compatible watch face like Modular, then under Complications, scroll to Pedometer and select Steps Only. That’ll give you your step count right on the watch face - no subscription required.

Feedbag

Jacqui writes in:

“I support your work because it educates me to stay up-to-date in this fast-moving technology world.”

Thanks, Jacqui! If you’d like to upgrade to a paid subscription, you’ll get instant access to the full web archive of every newsletter I’ve written (including the archived post below!) - plus an ad-free, high-quality version of my podcast.

That’s all for now. Be sure to catch my radio show Rich on Tech this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific on KFI AM 640. The rebroadcast airs Sunday night from 5 to 8 p.m. Pacific on WOR 710 in New York City. And don’t miss Rich on Tech Weekly Sunday morning on KTLA+ starting at 11 a.m.

Rich