Dennis Sellers

<p>Helpshift, a customer support industry firm, has announced the results of a survey conducted by Radius Global Market Research June 12-13, among adults ages 18-plus that explored Americans’ feelings about email, messaging and proactive customer support.</p>

<p>Two newly granted Apple patents (numbers 20170238091and 20170238091) hint at features in future HomePods. The patents are for a “rotationally symmetric speaker array” that could sense when you’re in the room and adjust the audio accordingly.</p>

<p>Apple has disabled Apple Pay support for a number of websites selling apparel and other paraphernalia emblazoned with Nazi symbols and white nationalist imagery following recent events and racial unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanmac/apple-removes-payments-support-from-white-nationalist?utm_term=.swkEaJEMw#.sdLWvYWdk" rel="noopener noreferrer">BuzzFeed News</a>.</p>

<p>The Irish government will <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/eu-apple-tax-ireland-idUSA5N1IW02N" rel="noopener noreferrer">comply</a> with the EU ruling to collect <strong>€</strong>13B (about $14.5 billion) in back taxes from Apple, but isn’t happy about the prospect. The country worries about being held accountable for any depreciation on the money, which will go into an escrow account if the tech giant should win an appeal at some point and need a refund.</p>

<p>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.udoq.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">udoq</a><strong> </strong>is an organizer that works with iOS and Android devices. According to the manufacturer, it’s designed to “eliminate the search for cables and chargers.” Mission accomplished. Alas, it doesn’t reduce cable clutter, although one big change could make that happen.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://tcismith.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d837%2f%3a7-%3eLCE58451%40%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4050748&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=74394&Action=Follow+Link" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moosylvania</a>, a brand building agency, has released its 2017 top “100 Millennial Brands” report, which averages 15,000 responses from 2013-2017 in categories include electronics, gadgets, gaming, soft drinks, clothing and cars. Apple took the top spot.</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>In a note to clients — as reported by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/08/16/apple-watch-with-lte-may-not-support-cellular-voice-calls-at-launch-instead-focus-on-data" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a> — KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the Apple Watch with LTE, expected to debut next month, won’t support traditional cellular voice calls this year.</p>

<p>iDevices has released the $99.95 <a target="_blank" href="http://store.idevicesinc.com/idevices-dimmer-switch/" rel="noopener noreferrer">iDevices Dimmer Switch,</a> the brand’s first major product release since it was acquired by Hubbell Inc. earlier this year. The new device is a hub-less smart switch that’s compatible with Siri on iOS devices, Alexa and the Google Assistant.</p>

<p>Sonnet Technologies is shipping its <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sonnettech.com/product/egfx-breakaway-box.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">eGFX Breakaway Box</a> with 350W power supply, the first in the company’s new series of Thunderbolt 3 to PCI Express (PCIe) expansion chassis for professional graphics and gaming applications.</p>

<p>Cypress Semiconductor Corp., which specializes in wireless connectivity solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), has announced an updated version of its turnkey development platform for the IoT that simplifies the integration of wireless connectivity into smart home applications. </p>

<p>MacPlus Software has released Miya Notes for Google Keep 1.0, a Mac-client for Google Keep. </p>

<p>Apple has set a budget of roughly $1 billion to procure and produce original content over the next year, according to<em> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-readies-1-billion-war-chest-for-hollywood-programming-1502874004" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Wall Street Journal</a></em>, and could acquire and produce as many as 10 television shows. The company has also hired Matt Cherniss, former president and general manager of WGN America, an American basic cable and satellite television channel owned by Tribune Broadcasting.</p>

<p>Feral Interactive has announced that BioShock Remastered, a version of the first-person shooter running in 1080p, will be released for macOS on Aug. 22 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the game’s original release. It was originally developed by Irrational Games and published by 2K for Windows and console.</p>

<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.romoss.com/products/power-banks/romoss-upower-10000mah-power-bank/" rel="noopener noreferrer">ROMOSS UPower 10000mAh Power Bank</a> — which retails for $49.99 but can be obtained at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/ROMOSS-10000mAh-Output-2-Port-Universal/dp/B00DY2IMBK) for $15.99 (at least as I wrote this review" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amazon</a> for less — is a two-in-one hybrid power supply that comes in handy if you need a home or travel charger for just two gadgets.</p>