Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple shares are gaining ahead of earnings tomorrow and investor/analyst believe that the report could include a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/30/apple-shares-jump-on-optimism-for-a-big-boost-to-buyback-dividend-program.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">record capital allocation program</a>. Morgan Stanley thinks Apple could increase the capital return program by $150 billion, while analyst Katy Huberty expects $210 billion in share repurchases, $52 billion in dividends over three years, and about $30 billion available for acquisitions. </p>

<p>A total of 41 Pennsylvania organizations will be given $264,300 in funding from Williams, which operates the Transco pipeline, through the company's semiannual Atlantic Sunrise Community Grant program. Among the recipients is the Benton Area School District, which is getting $3,000 to purchase iPads for students.</p>

<p>Apple has pushed production of a 2018 MacBook Air model to the second half of the year, according <a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20180430PD207.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>DigiTimes</em></a>, quoting unnamed “supply chain sources.” The article says that the tech giant hasn’t explained the delay, but it “might be caused by problems with some key components such as processors.”</p>

<p>Apple grew its India net profit for the year that ended March 2017 by 44% at Rs 373.4 crore, according to the tech giant’s latest regulatory filings made to the Registrar of Companies (RoC), reports the <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/apple-indias-net-profit-surges-by-44-and-so-does-its-india-ambition/63966723" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Economic Times of India</em></a>.</p>

<p>Apple’s Maps app may soon provide better “time of arrival” estimations when you’re traveling, based on an Apple patent filing (number 20180115439). The distance between the communication devices may be determined based on “propagation times” of wireless signals transmitted by the communication devices.</p>

<p>I find Apple’s Numbers for macOS more intuitive (and it’s free), but the CoreCode team’s TableEdit is a decent alternative. The $9.99 software provides features such as charts with cell styling, formatting options, and comprehensive import/export capabilities.</p>

<p>You can check out your workout history on your Apple Watch whenever you wish.</p>

<p>Apple’s podcasts have topped 50 billion download and streams since it debuted in 2005, reports <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/40563318/apples-podcasts-just-topped-50-billion-all-time-downloads-and-streams" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Fast Company</em></a>. The article says that, per Apple, iTunes is home to over 525,000 active shows with more than 18.5 million episodes with content in over 100 languages in 155 countries.</p>

<p>On a regular basis, Apple World Today 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>An unnamed <em>CNET</em> <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-is-working-on-an-ar-augmented-reality-vr-virtual-reality-headset-powered-by-a-wireless-wigig-hub/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">source says</a> Apple will have an AR/VR headset ready by 2020. Code-named T288, it will purportedly include an 8K display for each eye and won’t have to be tethered to a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. </p>

<p>If you’ve been holding out for a MacBook Pro with 32GB of memory, it’s probably going to be 2019 until you can get your hands on one. Intel’s 10nm "Cannon Lake" processors won't be shipping in high volumes this year. Intel revealed the updated time frame while discussing its first quarter earnings.</p>

<p>In an intriguing column for <a href="https://www.macworld.com/article/3269372/macs/ios-plus-imagining-a-mac-that-runs-ios-apps.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Macworld</em>,</a> Jason Snell has some interesting thoughts on the rumored <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/1/31/rumor-universal-apps-still-in-apples-pipeline-for-2018?rq=Marzipan" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Project Marzipan,"</a> which will, if it comes to fruition, allow iOS apps to run in macOS. One question he raises: If Apple moves to make the Mac more friendly to iOS apps, would that be enough of a reason to bring touchscreens to Mac hardware?</p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180113699) for “automatically installing applications based on content selection.” It’s for a system can automatically initiate installation of a media content provider application based on a content selection by a user. </p>

<p>You can conserve power on your Apple Watch by automatically disabling both its cellular capability (if it has such) and its heart-rate sensor during a workout. Your Apple Watch will still calculate active calories, distance, pace, and elapsed time. </p>

<p>Satechi has introduced its Aluminum Type-C Pro Hub with Ethernet, which is exclusively designed for 2016/2017 MacBook Pro 13-inch and 15-inch models. The hub features a Gigabit Ethernet port, USB-C Power Delivery (up to 87W), two USB 3.0 ports and a micro SD card slot. With its brushed aluminum finish, the Type-C Pro Hub with Ethernet is designed to complement Apple products.</p>