Top stories today:

1. Apple announces alternate app stores in EU
2. Elon’s xAI seeking to raise $6B at $20B valuation
3. ASML favored China exports in 2023, despite secret U.S. push
4. Children continue to spend hours on TikTok, Instagram, Roblox

0. Data and calendar

1. Apple announces alternate app stores in EU, will charge €0.50/year for each download of alternate app store, apps with 1M+ users

• Apple’s EU App Store fees are dropping from 30% to 20% for large developers, and 15% to 13%, for small businesses.

  • Still, the €0.50/year fee can make unviable large apps and alternate app stores, especially if they are free or freemium.

  • March launch date.

• 3rd-party NFC is only being made available.

• Apple will prompt users to set default browsers in the EU.

• Devs can request access to additional iPhone hardware and software features.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called Apple’s efforts “a new instance of Malicious Compliance,” as he announces that an Epic Games Store with Fortnite is coming in 2024

Read more: MacRumors.

2. Elon’s xAI seeking to raise $6B at $20B valuation

It would become the 2nd most valuable generative AI startup, just behind OpenAI:

Read more: FT.

3. ASML favored China exports in 2023, despite secret U.S., Netherlands deal to curb shipments

• Jan. 1, 2024: export restrictions on semiconductor equipment to China went into effect in the Netherlands.

• The U.S. had secretly pressured the Netherlands to implement the deal earlier, but that was generally ignored.

• China represented 39% of ASML’s shipments in Q4.

5. Children continue to spend hours on TikTok, Instagram, Roblox, minutes on educational apps