Apps
Apple: 2025 a record-breaking year for App Store, services
Record-breaking engagement, milestones, continuous innovations
Apple services had a record-breaking 2025, marked by global expansion and new engagement milestones.
From Apple TV, Apple Music, and Apple News, to Apple Pay and iCloud, enriching experiences in 2025 saw incredible engagement, especially during the holiday season.
It naturally helped that Apple rolled out game-changing features and innovations for customers across all their major apps and services.
Particularly, the App Store saw unprecedented engagement, averaging over 850 million weekly users across 175 countries and regions.
Developers have earned more than US$ 550 billion since 2008. In 2024 alone, the App Store ecosystem facilitated US$ 1.3 trillion in developer billings and sales. More than 90 percent of that commerce go directly to developers.
Engagement rose between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, with visitors spending on digital goods and services over this period at a record-breaking number.
Milestones across Apple services
Across the board, services also celebrated new milestones.
Apple Pay generated more than US$ 100 billion in incremental merchant sales globally. It also eliminated over US$ 1 billion in fraud. The digital wallet is now available in 89 markets.
Apple Wallet also leveraged Apple Intelligence to make it easier for users to keep track of their orders. Apple Maps added Preferred Routes and Visited Places and made them easily accessible.
Meanwhile, Apple TV set new monthly engagement records in December with total hours viewed up 36 percent compared to the previous year.
This was fueled by audience growth across Europe and Latin America, as well as continued expansion in the United States.
The streaming debut of F1 also helped significantly as the summer blockbuster was the No. 1 movie at the global box office. It was also the top Apple TV film and the highest-grossing sports movie of all time.
Apple News, which celebrated its 10th year last year as well, solidified its position as the No. 1 news app in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Moreover, Apple Music also reached all-time highs in 2025 in terms of listenership and new subscriptions.
The music streaming platform added AutoMix, Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation, and Enhanced Dialogue as its new features last year.
Apple Arcade, on the other hand, launched over 50 new games last year. Some hits were from the biggest entertainment and sports IPs, like SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2 and PGA TOUR Pro Golf.
Even essentials like Find My and Apple Fitness+ have expanded to more countries, while Apple Maps enriched its Detailed City Experience.
Lastly, Apple made it easier for users to connect with others last year with the release of Apple Invites.
This helps create custom invitations to bring people closer together for any occasion. Users can RSVP from any device, and unlimited event creation is included with in iCloud+ subscription.
Apps
Firefox ad reunites all your favorite memes from decades ago
The Numa Numa Guy, Annoying Orange, and Chocolate Rain are back!
Before Tung Tung Tung Sahur and Skibidi Toilet, the early internet was populated by charismatic personalities looking to make their presences felt in a land that didn’t have a lot of rules yet. As early users, we danced to “Dragostea din tei,” belted out “Chocolate Rain,” and copied “Shoes” word-for-word. Today, Firefox is bringing all those good memories back for a grand reunion.
In a new ad, the web browser featured ten of the biggest stars of the early internet including the aforementioned Numa Numa Guy, Tay Zonday, and Shoes’ Kelly. You can also see Annoying Orange, Chuck Testa, Overly Attached Girlfriend, Bad Luck Brian, Where the Hell is Matt?, the Apparently Kid, and the Success Kid.
Now, this isn’t just a reunion. The ad has a clear message about today’s most concerning issue: AI. Everything has “built-in AI, always asking, asking, asking,” as the Annoying Orange said.
“They make money by following us, and somehow, I’m the creepy one?” the Overly Attached Girlfriend asked.
All these famous personalities are asking what happened to the internet today. Obviously, the big takeaway is that we should all go back to Firefox.
Compared to other browsers, Firefox has a lot of built-in features that offer a lot of control for users. For one, it has its own VPN for privacy. Secondly, reflecting the ad’s message against AI, the browser has a toggle to minimize AI features.
SEE ALSO: Google illegally destroys 250,000 trees for a single AI data center
Apple Music is getting a revamp. In one of the tamer things going on with the brand today, Apple has introduced a new design language for its native music streaming platform.
In the midst of all the hubbub surrounding the iPhone Duo, Apple released a change in the visual identity of Apple Music. Rather than a static logo, the platform’s newest evolution offers a dynamic look that melds Liquid Glass and the power of sound together.
Confirmed through a behind-the-scenes video, Apple says that the new aesthetic was made with practical effects. Music producer Fred Again and NEST Acoustics submerged the platform’s logo in a tank of mineral oil and creating ripples with sound. The new language matches well with the chrome aesthetic typical of today’s trends and… well, Liquid Glass, of course.
Apple says that the more ripple-filled version will play before longer content like concert recordings (similar to Netflix’s startup stinger). Meanwhile, a black-and-white version will replace the app’s icon currently colored red and white. Current previews show off a simple logo, but it’s unknown whether Apple is adding a but more elements when the final version drops.
The updated version will debut for users after next week’s iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2 updates.
SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone Duo Unboxing and Hands-on
Apps
Disney+ strengthens footing as go-to sports streaming app with UFC, NBA, more
ESPN on Disney+ brands itself as ‘new home ground for sports’
Disney+ is strengthening its footing as a go-to sports streaming app as ESPN on Disney+ is now available in the Philippines, one of its markets with a huge sports-loving fanbase.
The launch coincides with a brand new campaign, “Ito ang Homecourt Mo!” (This is your homecourt!), welcoming Filipino fans to a new home ground for games, stories, and moments.
Subscribers can access live events, on-demand replays, studio shows, documentaries and original programming together in one dedicated destination through ESPN on Disney+.
Production and coverage will be led by ESPN, delivering high-quality broadcasts, commentary and expert analysis across the sports season where available, alongside Disney+ general entertainment and family programming.
Following last season’s success, NBA returns to ESPN on Disney+ with matchups during NBA Tip-Off Week.
Christmas Day games will also be available to stream, including the NBA Finals rematch between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
Playoff games through the conference finals shall also be streamed live and on demand.
Meanwhile, the UFC is among some of the new regular sports programs Filipinos can watch on Disney+.
The action kicks off at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi scheduled on October 25, where two world championship titles are expected to be on the line: UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on undefeated No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev, and UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan defends against former champion and No. 1-ranked Merab Dvalishvili.
Alongside live UFC numbered events and UFC Fight Nights, fans will have access to a library of classic fights and curated UFC content.
There will also be the original and and behind-the-scenes programming, including UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, UFC Main Event, UFC Fight Flashback, UFC Reloaded, and ROAD TO UFC.
A new home ground for sports
Other notable sports programming will include the Formula E 2026/27 season, with practice, qualifying and main races across 21 rounds in 13 host cities.
Also available on Disney+ are NCAA events, including March Madness, and Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), with all games live across the regular season and championship series.
ESPN’s popular 30 for 30 documentaries will continue to be available on the platform. The line-up also features ESPN studio shows, including ESPN FC and Pardon the Interruption.
-
News2 weeks agovivo V80 debuts with ZEISS cameras
-
Philippines2 weeks agoTECNO CAMON Slim 5G gets launch discounts, free MagBadge
-
News2 weeks agoSamsung: Galaxy Z Fold8 demand rose because of iPhone Duo
-
Reviews1 week agovivo V80 review: Good phone, tough sell
-
Features2 weeks agoI don’t want a phone that unfolds — the Galaxy Z Fold8 gets why
-
Gaming2 weeks agoKINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] now available on PS5, Switch 2
-
News1 week agoOPPO Find X10 Series: Price, availability in the Philippines
-
Cameras1 week agoDJI Osmo Pocket 4P Pearl White now available globally


