Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has moved to remove the co-lead counsel in a consolidated multidistrict litigation accusing the tech giant of deliberately slowing down iPhone performance, saying the attorneys had quoted from protected Apple documents in open court during a hearing and doubled down when challenged, reports<em> </em><a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1148238/apple-seeks-class-counsel-s-removal-in-iphone-updates-mdl?nl_pk=ade0cf2b-ea3f-464b-bc93-d8e19277ac63&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Law360</em>.</a></p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has reportedly caved into the China government’s request again. The tech giant has <a href="https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/04/09/apple-music-china-removes-jacky-cheung-song-reference-tiananmen-massacre/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">removed a song</a> by Hong Kong-based artist Jacky Cheung that referenced the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, reports the <em>Hong Kong Free Press</em>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="http://urbanarmorgear.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Urban Armor Gear</a> has launched its Plyo Series, which designed for the news <a href="https://urbanarmorgear.com/products/plyo-series-macbook-air-13-inch-2018-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration:underline">MacBook Air</span></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is working with Oprah Winfrey on a new series for Apple about mental health, set to air in 2020. The new series was <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEiIvzhD0J/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration:underline">announced on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Instagram account</span></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Sajid Javid — home secretary of the United Kingdom — says  the controversial Brexit app for European Union citizens’ residency rights will finally work on iPhones, reports <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/29/android-brexit-app-for-eu-citizens-to-work-on-iphones-says-sajid-javid" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Guardian</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Previously, <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2019/3/19/heres-why-ill-probably-pass-on-the-new-imac?rq=2019%20iMac" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">I said </a>I’d probably pass on the latest iMac upgrade. However, I changed my mind because — despite my disappointment that there was no screen update, no T2 security chip, etc. — I still think it’s the best Mac for the money.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Future Apple Watches may be able to tell if you’re right or left-handed. Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,254,804) for “detecting the limb wearing a wearable electronic device.”</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Friends of the Columbia Gorge, a nonprofit based out of Portland, Oregon, <a href="https://gorgefriends.org/photocontest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">have announced</a> the winners of its fourth annual photo contest. The winning photo (pictured) was taken by Colleen Wright of Lake Oswego in Oregon using an iPhone 6. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/apple-arthur-van-hoff-1203184373/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Variety</em></a> reports that Apple has hired Arthur van Hoff, a founding executive of the Disney-backed VR startup <a href="https://variety.com/t/jaunt/"><span style="text-decoration:underline">Jaunt</span></a>. He started in a senior architect position this month, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aavanhoff/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration:underline">according to his Linkedin profile.</span></a></p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has released the second public beats of macOS 10.14.5, iOS 12.3, and tvOS 12.3. The public betas are available on <a href="https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple's Beta Software Program website</a>. Just remember that beta software, so proceed with care.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">If you’re looking for an alternative to Apple’s Smart Folio for your iPad Pro, and don’t mind a little extra heft, the TouchType Case is a fine alternative. It’s an upcoming protective case and keyboard all in one with some special flourishes.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="http://scosche.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Scosche </a>is shipping its first MFI-certified USB-C to Lightning Power Delivery cables. These cables, which cost about $25, connect and sync Apple Lightning devices with USB-C enabled devices such as: laptops, tablets, hard drives, smartphones, digital cameras and more. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 10,254,840) for a “guidance device for the sensory impaired.” If realized, it could, among other things, allow an iPhone to double as a virtual cane. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Maybe Siri will one day be better at understanding my Southern accent, although the personal digital assistant has gotten much better at the task. Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,255,907) for “automatic accent detection using acoustic models.”</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Well, I wanted a 31.5-inch iMac, and one may be arriving later this year, if you can believe a new report from <a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20190409PD202.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>DigiTimes</em></a>, following up on yesterday’s note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.</p>