Dennis Sellers

<p>The AWT News Update is on hiatus while my compadre, Steve, is on a road trip. In its place, I’ll offer a text-only (no podcast) summary of breaking stories with a tip o’ my hat to my former website, <em>Apple Daily Report</em>.</p>

<p>Apple plans to build a data center in Waukee, joining Google, Facebook and Microsoft in building facilities in Iowa, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2017/08/23/apple-plans-to-build-data-center-waukee-iowa/593598001/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Des Moines Register</a>. The project became public after state officials published an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/userdocs/News/08242017BoardAgenda.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/userdocs/News/08242017BoardAgenda.pdf&utm_campaign=PubNotAugust24th17DCCandBoard" rel="noopener noreferrer">agenda for a specially called meeting</a> of the Iowa Economic Development Authority board.</p>

<p>Okay, Apple, it’s time for a fifth generation Apple TV with 4K and HDR support. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.parksassociates.com/report/reinventing-ce" rel="noopener noreferrer">New consumer research</a> from Parks Associates reveals Roku is increasing its lead in the streaming media player landscape, with 37% of U.S. households owning and using a Roku device as of quarter one (Q1) of 2017, That’s up from 30% in Q1 2016. The research group says this increase in share of installed base puts Roku further ahead of its main competitors Amazon, Google, and Apple.</p>

<p>Apple will announce the new iPhones and an the Apple Watch Series 3 on Tuesday, Sept. 12, according to <em>Mac4Ever</em> — as noted by <em><a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/08/23/iphone-8-september-12-event-rumor/" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac</a></em>.</p>

<p>The “iPhone 8” will come with 64GB, 256GB and 512GB of RAM, according to the Chinese site, GeekBar — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/08/23/apples-iphone-8-to-come-with-64-256-or-512gb-of-storage-3gb-of-ram---report" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider.</a> What’s more, the high end Apple smartphone will also pack 3GB of RAM.</p>

<p>Edifier’s $249.99 R2000DB is a good-looking bookshelf speaker with surprisingly good audio.</p>

<p>Haven’t we known this for awhile? Apple is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/22/technology/apple-self-driving-car.html?mcubz=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">scaling back</a> plans to build actual self-driving cars, and will instead focus on creating autonomous systems, according to<em> The New York Times.</em></p>

<p>Kensington has announced the $99.99 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kensington.com/us/us/4481/k64495ww/secureback-rugged-case-for-square-readers)" rel="noopener noreferrer">SecureBack Rugged Case for Square Reader</a>, which is compatible with 9.7-inch iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Air 2.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,743,234) for “monitoring a mobile device en route to destination.” It would allow iOS, watchOS and, presumably, macOS users to know keep track of someone en route to a destination.</p>

<p>Safari for macOS supports extensions that add functionality to the web browser. Extensions can show helpful information about a webpage, display news headlines, help you use your favorite services, change the appearance of webpages, and more. Here’s how to find and install extensions.</p>

<p>On a regular basis, <em>Apple World Today</em> posts a list of notable new apps or app updates that have been released. They may not necessarily be new, but they're popular and deserve mention. Here are today's picks.</p>

<p>The AWT News Update is on hiatus while my compadre, Steve, is on a road trip. In its place, I’ll offer a text-only (no podcast) summary of breaking stories with a tip o’ my hat to my former website, <em>Apple Daily Report</em>.</p>

<p>Apple’s iMessage is apparently the the most-used messaging platform for U.S. teens, according to a comparative analysis by Fam CEO Giuseppe Stuto — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-imessage-facebook-messenger-snapchat-2017-8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business Insider</a>. Fam makes a video chat app that allows groups to chat with one another via iMessage with just a few taps.</p>

<p>As noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.macobserver.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Mac Observer</a>, Apple has launched a new<a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/collection/safari-extensions/id29520?fcId=1093963857&ls=1&mt=12&uo=4&at=10l69J" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Safari Extensions section</a> on the Mac App Store Currently there are 27 Safari Extensions on the MAS, a mix of free and for-pay extensions.</p>

<p>Parallels has launched <a target="_blank" href="http://www.parallels.com/desktop" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac</a>, which provides macOS High Sierra readiness and support for upcoming Windows 10 features. </p>