Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, we’ll frequently offer a wrap-up of news items you should check out.</p>

<p class="">Worldwide PC — as in “personal computer,” not just Wintel systems — shipments totaled 64.8 million units in the second quarter of 2020, a 2.8% increase from the second quarter of 2019, according to preliminary results by <a href="http://www.gartner.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gartner, Inc</a>. And it was good news for Apple’s Mac.</p>

<p class="">Finland’s Nokia has launched a set of tools for data center networking, developed in cooperation with Apple, to help companies to manage the growth in traffic as 5G and machine learning technologies roll out, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nokia-datacentre-apple/nokia-launches-data-centre-networking-tools-developed-with-apple-idUSKBN24A2JW" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a>.</p>

<p class="">Apple has updated its iWork apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) for the Mac. They’re available at the Mac App Store</p>

<p class="">Apple has released first public betas of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. The completed (ie, non-beta versions) should arrive this fall.</p>

<p class="">Belkin has introduced new additions to its SCREENFORCE screen protection for MacBooks and BOOST↑CHARGE mobile power collections for multiple Apple devices. The company says they deliver “full privacy, multi-device charging convenience, and ultimate portability.”</p>

<p class="">Apple has announced a new set of tools to help educators teach coding to students from grade school to college. In addition to enhancements to the Develop in Swift and Everyone Can Code curricula, Apple is also starting a new professional learning course for Develop in Swift, available to educators at no cost.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 20200218204) for “electronic devices with display burn-in mitigation.” It applies mainly to the Apple Watch, but could also relate to the company’s other products.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200221443) for “coordinated control of media playback” with the goal of allowing users of its devices to form an “ad hoc” group with each member being able to control the playback.</p>

<p class="">On the <a href="http://www.macvoices.com/macvoices-20168-kyle-foster-of-synology-on-their-newest-products-and-nas-features-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new episode of MacVoices</a>, Kyle Foster, marketing specialist for Synology, again joins host Chuck Joiner to talk about the company’s news products and tech features. He tells what you can do with Synology devices besides just using them for storage.</p>

<p class="">Apple is transitioning the entire Mac line to “Apple Silicon” over the next two years, but the company says it will still support Intel’s Thunderbolt USB-C connectivity on the new computers.</p>

<p class="">According to <a href="http://www.trendforce.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TrendForce</a>, Apple is expected to not only release a 12.9-inch, mini-LED backlight-equipped iPad Pro, but also 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with the same tech. The research group expects them to roll out in the first quarter of 2021.</p>

<p class="">OWC is shipping its <a href="https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/thunderbay-flex-8/thunderbolt-3">ThunderBay Flex 8</a> media workflow solution, revealed at CES 2020. The Thunderbolt 3 storage solutions is designed for media professionals with the goal of helping them handle their storage, connectivity, and PCIe expansion needs.</p>

<p class="">Apple is expanding its Independent Repair Provider Program with additional options for customers to access repair services. The program enables businesses of all sizes to offer repairs on iPhone using genuine Apple parts.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted another patent (at least its sixth regarding using the Apple Watch to track blood pressure. The latest (number 10,702,171) is dubbed “systems, devices, and method for measuring blood pressure of a user.”</p>