Table of Contents

• US Inflation

• Spotify

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Economy & Finance

US Inflation

U.S. inflation continued to ease in July, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 2.9% year-over-year, down from 3% in June. This marks the lowest inflation reading since March 2021, driven by reduced price pressures in key areas like food, energy, and vehicles. While the inflation rate nears the Federal Reserve's 2% target, housing costs remain a significant factor keeping overall inflation slightly elevated. Despite the positive trend, some concerns persist, including rising costs in categories like motor vehicle insurance and medical care. The data increases the likelihood of the Fed cutting interest rates in September.

Technology

Spotify

Spotify will update its app on Apple devices in the European Union to include pricing details for its plans, following a rejection by Apple more than three months ago due to Spotify's initial refusal to accept Apple's new Music Streaming Services Entitlement terms. While Spotify has now agreed to these terms, the app will not offer an external link for purchases to avoid paying Apple's commission. This move is seen as a minor improvement in the broader effort to enhance user experiences on iPhone apps. Apple had previously made changes in April, allowing music streaming apps more communication flexibility on iOS after facing a hefty fine from the European Commission for anti-competitive practices.

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