After the AppStore: And Google should open its app store

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 8, 2024

Google needs to revamp its app store to give more options for Android users to transact through third-party apps directly. The decision comes against the background of the precedent set by the war between Epic Games – the creator of Fortnite – and Apple.

KEY FACTS

Federal Judge Jaime Donato ruled that Google must open its app store to competitors and give Android users more choice when downloading them.
In practice, this means that Google has to change the way it manages Google Play in the next three years.
The company cannot force developers to use Google Play’s billing system while allowing them to notify their users of alternative payment methods.
The court ordered Epic Games and Google to establish a three-person technical committee to implement and monitor the court order.
The order will take effect from November 1.
Following the decision, Alphabet shares closed down 2.5%, currently trading at $164.39.
In response to the decision, Google said it would file an appeal, arguing that the changes would “undermine Android’s ability to compete with Apple’s iOS.”
Epic Games described the decision as “big news”. The creator of Fortnite plans to launch its own store on Google Play in 2025.

IMPORTANT QUOTE

“Ultimately, while these changes likely satisfy Epic Games’ requirements, they will have a number of unintended consequences that will harm American consumers, developers, and device manufacturers,” Google said.

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KEY STORY

US-based developer Epic Games’ Fortnite is a game backed by the world’s largest game studio, the Chinese company Tencent. The game launched in 2017 and became an instant hit, attracting the interest of millions of players across the globe.

However, in August 2020, Apple and Google removed Fortnite from their app stores because Epic Games violated their policy with its Epic Games Store payment service, which allows in-game purchases. The saga sparked a series of lawsuits.

However, under the Digital Markets Act that came into effect in March, Apple and Google had to allow Epic Games to operate freely. In August, Fortnite became available again for iPhone users in the EU.

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EU Farm Output Prices Decline For The First Time In Nine Months

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 12, 2026

EU Market Adjustments Signal New Price Trends

Agricultural output prices across the European Union declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a shift after several quarters of increases. Data from Eurostat shows that farm gate prices fell by 1.9% compared with the same period in 2024.

Crisis of Declining Prices In Select Markets

Cyprus recorded one of the more notable decreases in agricultural input costs among EU member states, with prices falling by 2.6% compared with Q4 2024. The reduction eased cost pressures for the local agricultural sector following periods of higher prices earlier in 2025. Across the EU, prices for goods and services consumed in agriculture remained relatively stable. Non-investment inputs such as energy, fertilisers and feedingstuffs showed limited overall changes during the quarter.

Country-Specific Divergence In Price Movements

Eurostat data highlights considerable variation across member states. Fifteen EU countries recorded declines in agricultural output prices. Belgium registered the largest decrease at 12.9%, followed by Lithuania (8.2%) and Germany (6.0%). At the same time, twelve countries reported increases in output prices. Ireland recorded the strongest rise at 6.8%, followed by Slovenia (5.6%) and Malta (4.2%).

Stability In Agricultural Inputs Amid Commodity Shifts

Agricultural input prices also showed mixed developments. Eleven member states recorded declines, including Cyprus (2.6%), Belgium (2.1%) and Sweden (2.0%). Other countries experienced moderate increases, including Lithuania (4.2%), Ireland (3.3%) and Romania (2.5%). Among major agricultural commodities, milk prices declined by 4.1% while cereal prices fell by 8.9% across the EU. In contrast, fertilisers and soil improvers increased by 7.9%, reflecting continued volatility in input markets.

Outlook For EU Agriculture

The latest Eurostat data points to uneven price developments across the EU agricultural sector. While input prices remained broadly stable in many markets, movements in output prices varied significantly between member states. These trends highlight the need for farmers and policymakers to adapt to shifting commodity prices and changing cost structures across the European agricultural market.