Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter) has claimed the top spot on the Apple App Store’s “Top Free” news apps chart in the U.S., surpassing popular platforms like Nextdoor, Reddit, Substack, NewsBreak, and Watch Duty. Grok, Musk’s AI chatbot that is now integrated into X and Tesla vehicles, has also climbed the ranks to become the fifth most popular app overall in the U.S., according to the latest App Store rankings.
Musk didn’t hesitate to call out Apple for what he perceives as selective promotion on the App Store. In a recent post on X, Musk questioned why Apple has failed to feature X or Grok in their “Must Have” section, despite X being the number one news app globally and Grok ranking fifth among all apps. Musk raised suspicions about potential political motivations behind Apple’s choices and accused the tech giant of playing favorites. He also pointed out the prevalence of ChatGPT, a competing AI product, in Apple’s editorially curated lists.
This latest confrontation between Musk and Apple comes amidst Apple’s efforts to expand ChatGPT integration across its platforms. Musk has previously criticized Apple for favoring competing AI products over his own initiatives. Earlier this year, Musk consolidated X with his AI startup, xAI, signaling the beginning of a new era in AI-powered social media. With Musk’s renewed focus on X, xAI, and Tesla following his departure from the White House, the battle for visibility on the App Store has become a key battleground for Musk’s growing platforms.
As X and Grok continue to gain popularity and widespread adoption, Musk’s scrutiny of Apple’s App Store practices adds another dimension to his ongoing rivalry with Apple and OpenAI. The dynamics of the tech industry are constantly evolving, and Musk’s willingness to challenge established players like Apple underscores his commitment to driving innovation and challenging the status quo.