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Table of Contents – Epic Games
Fortnite Developer Scores Major Victory in Fight for Fair App Store Competition
In a groundbreaking ruling, Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, has secured a partial legal victory against tech giants Apple and Google in an Australian federal court. The case centered around anti-competitive practices in app stores, particularly regarding in-app payment restrictions and stifling developer competition.
Epic
Why Was Fortnite Banned from Apple and Google’s App Stores?
In 2020, Epic Games introduced its own in-app payment system in Fortnite, bypassing Apple and Google’s mandatory payment processors—and their 30% fee cut. In response, both companies removed Fortnite from their app stores, sparking a global legal battle.
Epic Games then launched lawsuits in multiple countries, including Australia, arguing that Apple and Google were misusing their market power to suppress competition.
What Did the Australian Court Rule?
Justice Jonathan Beach ruled that Apple breached Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act by:
Epic
Blocking side-loading (installing apps outside the App Store)
Preventing alternative payment methods for digital purchases
For Google, the court found violations related to its Play Store billing policies and “Project Hug”, an alleged scheme to keep major apps exclusive to the Play Store.
However, Epic did not win all claims, and the full implications of the ruling—including potential changes to app store policies—may take years to materialize.
What Does This Mean for Developers and Consumers?
More payment options could emerge, reducing fees for developers.
Greater competition may lead to lower app prices for users.
Epic Games Store and Fortnite could return to iOS in Australia, though exact timelines remain unclear.
Epic’s Reaction: “A Win for Developers and Consumers!”
In a post on X (Twitter), Epic Games celebrated the decision, calling it a “WIN for developers and consumers in Australia.” However, they acknowledged that the 2,000+ page judgment requires further analysis.
Apple and Google’s Responses
Google emphasized the “stark difference” between Android’s open ecosystem and Apple’s closed system, while disagreeing with some findings.
Apple has yet to comment but may appeal.
Bigger Implications: A Warning to Tech Giants
Kimi Nishimura from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers (representing app developers in a related class action) called the ruling a “turning point”, stating:
“Even the most powerful corporations must play by the rules.”
What’s Next?
The full judgment (over 900 pages per company) will be released later.
A follow-up hearing will determine compensation for affected developers.
Fortnite remains unavailable on Apple’s Australian App Store, but could return if policies change.
This case sets a major precedent in the global fight against Big Tech’s dominance, reinforcing the need for fair competition in digital marketplaces.
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Table of Contents
Zelda Lego Set Brings Ocarina of Time’s Final Battle to Life
Zelda Lego set
Nintendo and Lego have officially revealed their newest collaboration — a stunningZelda Lego set inspired by the legendary final battle from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. After months of speculation and teasers, fans finally know what’s coming in 2026.
According to reporting by Matt Tate on Engadget, the new set joins the popular Deku Tree model from 2024 and is scheduled to launch on March 1, with pre-orders already open.
Officially named Lego The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – The Final Battle, this collectible build features 1,003 pieces, making it smaller than the massive 2,500-piece Great Deku Tree set, but still packed with nostalgia and interactive elements.
This recreates Link and Princess Zelda’s dramatic showdown with Ganondorf inside the ruined castle, complete with scattered rubble and hidden recovery hearts.
Interactive Features Fans Will Love
Zelda Lego set
One of the biggest highlights of its built-in action feature. Lego says pressing a button raises Ganondorf from beneath the debris, simulating the surprise element of the final battle.
Included Characters and Accessories
🗡️ Link minifigure with Master Sword and Hylian Shield
👑 Princess Zelda minifigure
✨ A transparent Navi companion for display
🐗 A large, poseable Ganon (pig demon form) — the visual centerpiece of the set
This attention to detail makes the model especially attractive for long-time fans of Nintendo’s classic Nintendo 64 title.
A Small Disappointment for Tech Fans
Interestingly, this release follows Lego’s recent reveal of its advanced Smart Brick technology at CES 2026. However, the new Lego set sticks to traditional bricks without smart features.
✅ Positive: Classic Lego feel keeps the build simple and collectible. ❌ Negative: Some fans may have hoped for interactive digital enhancements.
Price, Release Date, and Availability
📦 Pre-orders: Available now
📅 Release date: March 1, 2026
💲 Price: $130
While the price may feel steep for a 1,003-piece set, the licensed design, character figures, and nostalgia value make it appealing to collectors and Zelda enthusiasts alike.
Final Thoughts on the Zelda Lego Set
Zelda Lego set
The new Zelda set successfully blends nostalgia, playability, and display appeal. Its epic recreation of Ocarina of Time’s final battle is a dream come true for longtime fans, even if the lack of smart features may disappoint tech-focused builders. Overall, it stands as a powerful tribute to one of gaming’s most iconic moments.
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Table of Contents – Twitter Down
Major X (Twitter) Outage Disrupts Thousands: Service Returns Amid Chaos and Scrutiny
If you tried scrolling through X (formerly Twitter) this afternoon and met with nothing but a blank timeline, you weren’t alone. A widespread outage hit Elon Musk’s social media platform, crippling tens of thousands of users across the United States and globally, before service began a shaky recovery—though the root cause remains a mystery.
Twitter Down
The Breaking Point Reports started flooding into outage-tracking website Downdetector shortly after 10:00 AM EST Friday. In a dramatic spike, nearly 78,000 users in the U.S. reported issues, with thousands more in Canada, the UK, and Australia. For over an hour, users were greeted by error messages and failing feeds, a frustrating blackout during peak online hours.
Twitter Down
The platform’s timelines flickered unpredictably, with posts disappearing and reappearing. “It’s been wobbling for the past hour,” noted one BBC report, as engineers scrambled behind the scenes. The issue wasn’t just limited to the main feed; Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, was also seemingly impacted, with over 2,000 users reporting problems with the service.
Twitter Down
A Pattern of Uncertainty This isn’t the first time X has gone dark, but the silence surrounding this outage was deafening. The company, known for its minimalist communication under Musk, did not immediately provide an explanation. Requests for comment to X’s press team have historically been met with an automated reply—sometimes just a poop emoji—or outright silence.
Twitter Down
While past major outages have been addressed by Musk himself, the billionaire owner had not posted about this incident at the time of reporting. However, a telling clue came from one of his engineers, Christopher Stanley, who posted a cryptic “testing” message, followed later by a well-known GIF of Elmo surrounded by fire with his hands in the air—a meme often used to signify chaos.
Broken Foundations in a Digital Age Experts suggest such outages are becoming more likely as our digital lives grow more complex. “The brave new world of AI and chatbots is built upon a fabric of really old technology,” one expert told the BBC. This incident, while resolved for many, highlights the fragile infrastructure underpinning major platforms we rely on daily.
The timing adds another layer of scrutiny. This outage occurred during a week of intense pressure for X and Grok. The UK government announced it would support regulator Ofcom in investigating the firm, potentially using its “full powers” after Grok was used to generate sexualized deepfake imagery on the platform. This legal firestorm even includes a lawsuit from Ashley St Clair, the mother of one of Musk’s children, against his AI firm xAI over similar deepfakes.
Twitter Down
Service Restored, Questions Remain As of now, X appears back up and running for most users, but the cause is still unknown. Historical patterns suggest outages can be linked to third-party providers, like the major Cloudflare disruption in November, or internal technical errors. The infamous July 2024 CrowdStrike outage that knocked PCs offline worldwide serves as a recent reminder of how widespread these digital failures can be.
One thing is certain: this won’t be the last outage. As our dependency on real-time digital platforms deepens, so does our vulnerability to their unpredictable breakdowns. For the thousands of Americans disconnected today, it was a stark reminder of the delicate threads holding our online world together.
President Donald Trump has unveiled a new policy framework urging Congress to pass a package of reforms aimed at lowering drug prices, cutting insurance premiums, and improving healthcare price transparency. The announcement was shared through a short video and supported by a White House fact sheet outlining what the administration calls the “Great Healthcare Plan.”
According to an Axios report by Peter Sullivan, the proposal is designed to counter Democratic criticism over the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies and rising healthcare costs. You can read the original coverage on Axios here: 👉 Trump calls on Congress to enact the Great Healthcare Plan
While the plan signals a positive push for affordability, it also carries political and legislative risks due to deep divisions in Congress.
Why the Trump Health Costs Framework Matters:The great healthcare plan
The framework comes at a critical time as healthcare affordability becomes a key issue ahead of the midterm elections. Democrats have criticized Republicans for allowing enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire, which could raise premiums for many Americans.
Trump’s proposal attempts to reposition the GOP as proactive on healthcare costs. However, experts say the plan could struggle to gain traction in a highly polarized Senate and House.
In a five-minute video message shared publicly on YouTube, Trump outlined several core ideas: ▶️ Watch here: Trump healthcare video statement
1. Direct Support Instead of ACA Subsidies
Trump rejected restoring enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. Instead, he suggested sending financial support directly to patients, though specific implementation details were not explained. This idea could empower consumers but raises concerns about clarity and execution.
2. “Most-Favored Nation” Drug Pricing Proposal
The plan pushes Congress to codify Trump’s most-favored nation pricing model, which aims to align U.S. drug prices with what other developed countries pay. ✅ Positive: Could significantly reduce prescription costs. ❌ Negative: Some Republicans oppose it, arguing it interferes with free-market principles.
3. Increased Price Transparency
Healthcare providers and insurers would be required to display prices more clearly so consumers can better compare costs and avoid surprise bills.
4. Holding Insurers Accountable
The framework also proposes publishing data on insurer profits and how often they deny care, increasing transparency and public accountability.
Political Outlook: Will It Pass Congress?
A White House official stated that the proposal might not require the party-line reconciliation process, suggesting hopes for bipartisan support. Still, skepticism remains over whether lawmakers will move the plan forward or simply use it as a political talking point.
⚠️ Risk Factor: With healthcare deeply divided along party lines, passing meaningful legislation could be challenging. 🌟 Opportunity: If successful, the framework could lower costs and improve consumer trust in healthcare pricing.
What to Watch Next:The great healthcare plan
The big question is whether congressional Republicans will actively pursue legislation based on this framework or leverage it mainly as campaign messaging. As healthcare costs remain a top voter concern, the next few months could determine whether this bold plan becomes real reform or political strategy.