Dennis Sellers

<p>Looking at the fourth quarter of 2017 alone, the iPhone 7 was the 2016 best-selling iPhone, followed by the iPhone 7 Plus, based on research from the IHS Markit <a target="_blank" href="https://technology.ihs.com/575894/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Smartphone Shipment Database</a>, which tracks quarterly shipment data for more than 350 smartphone models. Apple is in the second spot among smartphone makers, shipping 50.8 million phones, down 0.8% from a year ago.</p>

<p>Former Apple exec Sal Soghoian has announced the first-ever <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cmddconf.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">CMD-D: Masters of Automation Conference</a> (pronounced “Command-D") on Wednesday, Aug 9, in Santa Clara, California. It’s for anyone who uses automation, creates automation or develops software. Registration is now underway.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted three patents that hint at “bezel-free” iPhones and iPads —  such as the anticipated <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/5/13/kgi-analyst-still-expects-a-10-5-inch-ipad-pro-siri-speaker-at-wwdc?rq=10-inch%20iPad%20Pro" rel="noopener noreferrer">10.5-inch iPad Pro</a> — and devices with Touch ID built into the screen. For example, patent number 9,652,096 is for “reducing the border area of a device.” </p>

<p>Application specific passwords are set to become a mandatory requirement for third-party apps that access iCloud user data, according to an Apple Support email — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a>. Here’s the email:</p>

<p><em>The Information</em> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theinformation.com/apple-in-search-for-programming-chief?shared=lZDIINO0XDE" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported on Monday</a> that Apple execs met have met with Michael Lombardo (pictured), HBO's former president of programming, for a discussion about Apple's own efforts in original programming. The tech giant is reportedly looking to hire a programming chief of its own.</p>

<p>This weekend I took my daughter and I to see <em>Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2</em>. It cost us $20 to see the film. That's the matinee price (before 4 p.m.) at a Regal movie theater in Nashville, TN. Prices are higher elsewhere.</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>Apple’s sights are now set on the epidemic of diabetes, and the company plans to introduce a “game-changing” glucose monitoring feature in an upcoming Apple Watch, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://bgr.com/2017/05/15/apple-watch-fitness-glucose-monitoring/" rel="noopener noreferrer">BGR</a>, quoting an unnamed source.</p>

<p>Apple has released macOS Sierra10.12.5, a minor update that focuses on bug fixes and speed improvements. According to Apple, the upgrade:</p>

<p>Apple has upgraded tvOS, the operating system for the Apple TV, to version 10.2.1. It offers bug fixes and performance tweaks.</p>

<p>Apple has revved watchOS to 3.2.2. The upgrade focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements to the Apple Watch's operating system. </p>

<p>Apple has released iOS 10.3.2, which offers bug fixes, security enhancements, and other improvements.</p>

<p>The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, , a division of the state-funded German research institution that bankrolled the MP3's development in the late '80s, has officially halted its licensing program for "certain MP3 related patents and software," effectively making the MP3 music format free for developer use. Apparently, the last of the patents expired, which is the reason that it is no longer licensing the format.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.voip-pal.com/">Voip-Pal.com</a> has announced its intent to increase the damage claims in its lawsuits against Apple, Verizon and AT&T. Over the past few months the company says it’s been reevaluating the initial damage calculation claims made in its February 2016 lawsuits and has “determined its initial claim for damages was calculated using a significantly lower royalty monetization model than has been used in actual court awards of recent patent infringement cases.”</p>

<p>Apple will open the Piazza del Liberty Apple Retail store in Milan “soon,” according to <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/05/15/truly-international-piazza-del-liberty-apple-store-in-milan-italy-opening-soon" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider.</a> First announced in January, it’s described as “one of the most innovative and technological Apple Stores in the world.”</p>