Dennis Sellers

<p class="">I doubt that this will happen, but perhaps it’s time for Apple to revisit its abandoned plans for an Apple-branded HDTV.</p>

<p class="">Nimble — a company that makes “ethically-made personal tech” — has announced <a href="https://www.gonimble.com/products/iphone-clear-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Disc Case</a>, which it says is the first protective case for iPhone made from recycled compacts discs.</p>

<p class="">Roku remained the leader among connected TV devices, capturing half of the total viewing time for the category in the second quarter of 2020. Amazon Fire TV captured 29%, Apple TV 8.7%, Chromecast 7.3%, Android TV 3.6% and Humax 1.3%, according to <a href="http://www.convica.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Conviva</a>, which specializes in global streaming media intelligence.</p>

<p class="">Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, we’ll frequently offer a wrap-up of news items you should check out. First up: OWC has rolled out the new <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2878167-1&h=1147586778&u=https%3A%2F%2Feshop.macsales.com%2Fshop%2Frover-pro&a=OWC+Rover+Pro" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OWC Rover Pro</a> – a tool less, patent-pending “made in the USA” design that allows users to add wheels to the 2019 Mac Pro in under two minutes.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for another patent (number 20200252593) involving its rumored “Apple Glasses,” an augmented reality/mixed reality head-mounted display (HMD). One of dozens of patent applications and granted patents, this one is dubbed “low latency chroma keying embedded in a head-mounted display for mixed reality.”</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 202000249725) for “peripheral housing for a computing device.” It involves a multi-functional iPad accessory that can serve as a stand, a handle, and an Apple Pencil holder, as well as providing a lot for inserting an external keyboard.</p>

<p class="">Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, we’ll frequently offer a wrap-up of news items you should check out. First up: <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2876201-1&h=2651467405&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.retailmenot.com%2F&a=RetailMeNot" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RetailMeNot</a>, a Vericast business and savings destination, announces its picks on the five to buy in August. Macs and iPads are on the list.</p>

<p class="">Apple has given a straight-to-series order to a drama that hails from Adam Perlman as well as Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey’s Team Downey production company, reports <a href="https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/robert-downey-jr-apple-series-1234726415/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Variety</a>.</p>

<p class="">Lady Gaga is launching a radio show devoted to the dance music genre on Apple Music. <a href="http://apple.co/_GagaRadio" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gaga Radio</a> premieres Friday, August 7 at 11 am (Pacific), with new episodes every Friday.</p>

<p class="">Despite intense economic hardship related to COVID-19 quarantine orders, consumer and commercial customers went on a tablet buying spree to support work/learn-from-home initiatives. And Apple’s iPad was the clear winner with quarterly growth of 34% year-over-year.</p>

<p class="">Consumer spending on mobile apps and app installs grew significantly during the first half of 2020, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from Sensor Tower.</p>

<p class="">A California federal judge has entered final judgment against Apple and Broadcom after the California Institute of Technology's US$1.1 billion patent jury trial win, but held off on deciding Caltech's bid to double the damages until after the inevitable appeal in the case is concluded, reports <a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1298036/apple-broadcom-can-t-shake-caltech-s-1-1b-ip-jury-win?nl_pk=ade0cf2b-ea3f-464b-bc93-d8e19277ac63&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Law360</a> (a subscription is required to read the entire article).</p>

<p class="">The Apple Watch received a Calculator app as of watchOS 6. You can tap its icon on the Apple Watch screen to open it.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,732,829) for “devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for providing control of a touch-based user interface absent physical touch capabilities.” The goal is to make it easier for folks with certain disabilities to use iPhone and iPads.</p>