Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has released macOS High Sierra 10.13.6. It adds AirPlay 2 multi-room audio support for iTunes and improves the stability and security of your Mac.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">StarTech has released the $259.99 <a href="https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/usb-c-video-capture-device~UVCHDCAP" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HDMI to USB-C Video Capture Device (UVCHDCAP)</a>, which enables users to record video and audio directly to a Mac or Windows computer. It features automatic installation thanks to the use of UVC: USB Video Class Technology. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has released iOS 11.4.1, HomePod 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2 and tvOS 11.4.1.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has its work cut out for it in beefing up HomePod sales. <a href="http://www.canalys.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canalys</a> expects the smart speaker installed base will approach the 100-million barrier by the end of this year, making it almost 2.5 times bigger than at the end of 2017. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As noted by <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-or-ipad-is-the-top-way-of-knowing-if-youre-rich-or-not-2018-7?r=US&IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Business Insider UK</em></a>, a <a href="http://www.nber.org/papers/w24771#fromrss" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new National Bureau of Economic Research working paper</a> attempts to infer demographics based on people's consumer behavior or media consumption. The researchers found that "no individual brand is as predictive of being high-income as owning an Apple iPhone,” based on 2016 data. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a second patent (number 20180191886) for switching between watches (the first is number 20170201612). The tech giant hopes you’ll buy more than one of its smartwatches and wants to make it easy for you to switch ‘em in and out.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nimble Commander is a file manager designed for experienced users of macOS. It’s not a must-have tool, but it does offer some advantages, especially with its minimalistic design.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has released the first public beta of <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/6/4/macos-mojave-gets-dark-mode-as-well-as-news-and-home-apps-but-no-tv-app?rq=Mojave" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">macOS Mojave</a>, which debuted month at the Worldwide Developer Conference.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple Music has now surpassed Spotify’s U.S.-based subscriber tally, and will probably widen the lead by Christmas, according to <a href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/07/05/apple-music-spotify-us-subscribers-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Digital Music News</em></a>, quoting unnamed “confidential sources.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has been granted a patent (number 20180191646) for a “method and apparatus for displaying information during an instant messaging session.” It involves the Messages app on macOS and iOS devices.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The $229 <a href="https://www.schlage.com/en/home/keyless-deadbolt-locks/sense.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt</a> has opened possibilities for homeowners to enjoy the convenience of a connected home through its Apple HomeKit compatibility. A free app — available in the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/schlage-sense/id1038212933" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple App Store</a> — allows the Schlage Sense lock to work in tandem with the iOS Home app, which is coming to the Mac with the upcoming macOS Mojave update.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that my <em>Apple World Today</em> compadre, Steve Sande, is transforming his daily news update podcast into <em>Tangible Tech</em>, Yours Truly will offer an end-of-the-day text-and-graphics only update of various Apple news items. Because, hey, Steve and I can’t cover everything!</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">According to the latest research from <a href="http://www.counterpointresearch.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Counterpoint’s Market Pulse</a>, Apple regained the top spot in the global best selling smartphone list with the iPhone 8. Strong promotions (“How to shoot on iPhone”) running up to the football (soccer) World Cup helped the tech giant to trigger buyer interest in Europe and other markets, notes the research group. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Seventy-eight more customers have sued Apple over “Batterygate,” reports <a href="http://www.macrumors.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MacRumors</em></a>. The plaintiffs, who reside all across the U.S., filed in a U.S. district court in San Jose, California, on Monday.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180189362) for a user interface for searching, which apparently involves the search feature in Siri, the company’s personal digital assistant.</p>