Dennis Sellers

<p class="">The American Civil Liberties Union has <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/apple-and-google-announced-a-coronavirus-tracking-system-how-worried-should-we-be/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">raised concerns </a>about Apple and Google's joint contact tracing effort to to help alert people who have been in close proximity to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.</p>

<p class="">"Home," a documentary series about folks who live in innovative houses, has debuted on Apple TV+, Apple’s streaming service.</p>

<p class="">Macstock organizer Mike Potter has announced that this year’s event has joined the list of cancellations due to COVID-19. On the <a href="https://youtu.be/ZljfeiNHx-I" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">latest episode of MacVoices</a>, he joins host Chuck Joiner to walk us through the behind-the-scenes factors that went into that decision.</p>

<p class="">I’m anxiously awaiting the release of the <a href="https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Magic Keyboard</a> now that iPadOS now offers dedicated trackpad/mouse support. However, if the thought of paying US$299 for a keyboard/case combo for an Apple tablet gives you shudders, you may want to check out the $149.99 <a href="https://www.zagg.com/en_us/rugged-book-go-ipad-12-inch-pro" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rugged Book Go</a> for the third and fourth generation iPad Pros. Of course, you won’t get a built-in trackpad, so keep that in mind.</p>

<p class="">Unless you’re wearing specially designed gloves, Apple touchscreen devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches may not respond to a touch by your gloved finger. A newly granted patent (number 10,620,758) shows that the tech giant wants to change this.</p>

<p class="">In a company-wide virtual meeting, CEO Tim Cook said the company was, despite the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in good financial shape and will continue to invest in new products and research and development in a "really significant way,” Apple employee <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-16/apple-ceo-sees-company-emerging-strongly-from-covid-19-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">told</a> Bloomberg.</p>

<p class="">Apple has released the second developer beta of macOS Catalina 10.15.5. And it will, among other things, include new Battery Health Management features for Mac laptops.</p>

<p class="">Apple has released the first public betas of iOS 13.4.5 and iPadOS 13.4.5. The public betas are available on <a href="https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/">Apple's Beta Software Program website</a>. Just remember that beta software, so proceed with care.</p>

<p class="">The launch of a new high-end 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a Mini-LED display may be pushed until early 2021 due to the device's "complex panel design," analyst Jeff Pu said in an investor note with Chinese research firm GF Securities — as noted by <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a>.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200117003) for an “optical system with dispersion compensation" that shows work continues on the rumored“Apple Glasses,” a head-mounted augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) head-mounted display (HMD).</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200117149) for “modification of automated environmental behavior based on user routine” that hints at even more powerful HomeKit features for a “smart house.”</p>

<p class="">Apple is developing its own branded, over-ear wireless headphones with parts that can be swapped in and out in an effort to augment its AirPods biz with a higher-end audio product, according to a <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-16/apple-developing-high-end-headphones-with-interchangeable-parts" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">repor</a>t ,by <em>Bloomberg</em>’s Mark Gurman.</p>

<p class="">It was promised months ago, but now if you <a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/mac-pro/tower">buy a Mac Pro</a> you can add a Radeon Pro W5700X graphics card with 16GB of GDDR6 memory viaApple's build-to-order options.</p>

<p class="">Apple has debuted <a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MX572ZM/A/apple-mac-pro-wheels-kit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a Mac Pro Wheels kit</a> for the Mac Pro. The $699 kit’s custom-designed stainless steel and rubber wheels are designed to make it easy to move your Mac Pro around.</p>

<p class="">Following the <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2020/4/15/apple-announces-2nd-generation-iphone-se-available-for-pre-order-on-april-17" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announcement </a>of the second generation iPhone SE, Apple has discontinued the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. They were announced on September 12, 2017, alongside the higher-end iPhone X.</p>