THE MUSTS

App Store “embrances” change

Apple is set to revolutionize its App Store model in Europe starting March, following a significant software update. Now, anyone with an iPhone or iPad across Europe will be able to download applications without the necessity to go through the App Store, marking a historic shift from Apple's traditional "closed" ecosystem approach. In practice, Apple loses the "monopoly" and "control" it has over the tools that can be added to the devices.

How is it going to work?

• Before Apple used to charge a 30% commission from developers.
  Now, the transaction fee will drop from 30% to 17% + an extra fee of 3% for using payment processing + a core technology fee of €0.50 for each first annual installation above the 1 million limit.

Freedom? Not so much. Apple still retains control of which third-party apps can "skip" the App Store, and the new fees make the math difficult to work out. Here’s an example to make it more clear:

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games called the changes a “horror show”, while Spotify described the changes as a “huge scam” and the folks at Firefox as “as painful as possible”.

This change comes in response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act, aiming to dismantle the monopolistic grip and control Big Tech companies like Apple have had over app distribution and installations on their devices. It definitively represents a significant shift in Apple's operation, possibly setting a precedent for similar changes globally.

Apple vs. UE Round II: This week a lawsuit from 2019 accusing the company of preventing competition, limiting music apps and favoring Apple Music on its devices was closed and Apple lost. They will have to play around 500 million euros - That's the equivalent of more than 140,000 Apple Visions Pro sold. Tim Cook must not be happy.

What else is on:

• Growing & Growing: With a focus on AI chips, Nvidia becomes the 4th most valuable company in the world.

• Historic. Uber posts first annual profit since its IPO, marking the end of the growth-at-all-costs era for good.

• Black mirror. Neuralink startup has implanted a chip in its first human brain last month. Yesterday they announced he/she has recovered completely and can now control a mouse with his mind.

The Second Mother (Que Horas Ela Volta?) by Anna Muylaert: This movie was on my list for a really long time and fortunately I discovered it is available on Brazilian netflix through my VPN.

While this is a very Brazilian story, it's also a fundamentally Latin American story. It brings to mind women who leave their children in another region or in a whole other country, from Paraguayan domestics in Argentina to Central American maids in the United States.

Brazilians and anyone who has spent significant time in Brazil likely knows a Val, and will recognize her mannerisms and personality in Casé's character.

The movie also touches on universal issues like motherhood, feminism, the generation gap, and social class divisions. It's this last piece - the deep social divide and the daily indignities Val faces - that are so uncomfortable to witness - specially because it is so real and made me question my personal story, as I’m sure it will for most of my Brazilian readers as well. (Rating 9/10)

Sanremo Festival by Various Artists: Imagine a song contest where Beyonce, Usher, Shakira, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus and 30 of the biggest artists of the United States compete for the title? It might seem crazy, but that happens every single year in Italy. That’s Sanremo. 

The Sanremo Festival is considered one of the most important musical events in the world and perhaps the most important in Europe, mainly because of its longevity. It has been held without interruption since 1951, even before the arrival of television in Italy in 1955, in the city of Sanremo. In the festival, 30 of the biggests Italian artists - from new talents to traditional ones - compete with original songs, being a pivot moment for the Italian music scene annually.

We've had a lot of good music this year and I recommend listening to the playlist if you're interested in how Italian music is being represented and what we're hearing in this part of the world.

Best songs: l’amore in bocca by SANTI FRANCESI; La Noia by Angelina Mango; I P’ ME, TU P’ ME by Geolier, TUTA GOLD by Mahmood;

• Stressed enough? Here’s some quick, simple ways to instantly lower your stress levels according to Vogue - I’m definitively trying the last one.

• Best read of the week. Finding this New Yorker piece almost painfully relatable. Really got me thinking.

• Game time. How many of these famous self portrait are you able to identify? Wanna bet?

• Sauna in the garden? Check out this fabulous house on sale in London with its own private spa.

• New OpenAi tool. Sora looks amazing—but the rest of us will have to wait to try it out.

• Carrots are the best — here’s how to put them to work.

I've been thinking a lot about what to write today. The last few weeks have been tough, and I wasn't sure if I should talk about these hard times or find something lighter to cheer you guys up. However, as I said on the 10th edition writing here feels almost like therapy to me, and I believe it's important to share the not-so-good stuff too.

There's an old saying that goes something like, "You can't be all good-looking and have a perfectly working stomach" and I've found that to be painfully true. These past two weeks, I've been in and out of the hospital with stomach problems like IBS and gastritis – you name it, I had it. On top of that, I suddenly couldn't sleep for about a week, which was really scary. My body was exhausted, getting tired by the minute and I just couldn't sleep, no matter what. Even after the pain meds started working, I was still wide awake. It was honestly one of the most scary experiences of my life. Being awake for seven days straight.

But why am I sharing this?

1. Because sharing the tough stuff, not just the Instagram-worthy moments, feels right to me. It’s kind of a personal exercise to share something that doesn’t align with the perfect version of me that I like you guys to see.

2. I've had some realizations these past weeks that I want to talk about.

First, the obvious. That saying at the start of the newsletter? It's truly how I feel about our health. You might think you have a hundred problems, but when your health goes downhill, it suddenly becomes your only problem. I was so caught up in work, hitting the gym, finding ways to safe money, writing this newsletter, meditating, side projects, dancing. Then, BAM, everything stopped. For two weeks, all I could focus on was getting better. We often take for granted just how lucky we are when our body is working right. Our body is this complex universe of things, and even when one little part stops working well, it can throw everything off. We do not appreciate this enough. I have so many readers that are smoking every single day even though they are fully aware of the damage they are causing to themselves - same for drinking, eating crap or not exercising. We are so lucky - and it is never bad to show some gratitude and appreciation by taking care of ourselves. 

Second, family is everything. I really wished my mom was here. Don't get me wrong, my friends and housemates were amazing, taking me to the hospital and helping out. But there's a kind of support only family can give – and it doesn't matter how old you are. You might still want your mom when things get tough. I've been away from my family for five years and my mom for over ten. I might get myself thinking that I got used to it or that I do not even miss it anymore. But I do. I miss it everyday and living far from your family can get really lonely - especially in moments like this. 

I want to take this moment to thank my mom for her support. She honestly would move mountains to see me better in a way that probably no one else ever will. So, go give your mom a call, spend some quality time with your family. No one ever regretted saying an extra I love you to the people that love you the most. 

I'm getting better now. I'm not 100% yet, but I'm on my way. I'm sleeping again and starting to make peace with my stomach. Thanks for letting me share this with you. I hope it helps you in some way.

Neoqeav,
Micael.

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