Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Apple is cracking down on apps related to the coronavirus outbreak that aren’t from recognized institutions like governments or hospitals, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/05/apple-rejects-coronavirus-apps-that-arent-from-health-organizations.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CNBC</a>.</p>

<p class="">Things aren't looking good for Apple holding a Worldwide Developer Conference this year. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21167054/santa-clara-county-coronavirus-amazon-apple-google-facebook-microsoft" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Verge reports</a> that companies based in Santa Clara County, California — which includes Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and San Jose — should avoid travel and postpone or cancel mass gatherings, <a href="https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/news/Pages/new-guidance-new-covid-19-3-5-2020.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the county recommended</a> on Thursday.</p>

<p class="">Apple says the NAACP Image Award-winning drama series “Truth Be Told,” starring and executive produced by Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, has been renewed for a second season. The series is created by writer, showrunner and executive producer Nichelle Tramble Spellman and produced by Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content.</p>

<p class="">The problem (for some folks) with Apple's Mac laptops is their dearth of ports. The StarTech.com <a href="https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/Laptop-docking-stations/thunderbolt-3-dock-usb-3-1-laptop-compatible~TB3CDK2DP" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dual-4K Universal Docking Station</a> is a viable solution though, with a price tag of US$330.99, it will likely appeal only to whose who need LOTS of extra connectivity. For example, owners of the 16-inch MacBook Pro are likely candidates.</p>

<p class="">With the rumor mill expecting an “iPhone SE 2” (or perhaps it will be dubbed the iPhone 9) this month, <a href="http://decluttr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Decluttr</a>, a certified refurbished tech seller and shop, has updated its trade-in data (see the chart).</p>

<p class="">Apple will debut new MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and new displays with mini LED displays by the end of the year, according to <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes</a>. The site says that the tech giant will also begin producing“entry-level” AirPods Pro early in the second quarter.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200073122) for a display system that involves "Apple Glasses" with a low-power state and a high-power state.</p>

<p class="">We know that Apple is investing in augmented reality/virtual reality technologies and almost certainly working on “Apple Glasses,” an AR/VR head-mounted display. Now the company has filed for a patent (number 202000074749) for a "virtual object kit.”</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20200305PD205.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes reports</a> that Taiwan-based flexible PCB makers in the supply chain of Apple devices will see their shipments for the upcoming entry-level iPhone (which could be dubbed the "iPhone SE 2” or the "iPhone 9”) deferred from the first quarter to the second due to the coronavirus outbreak. If this is the smartphone may not ship in March or April, as expected.</p>

<p class="">Apple, like Amazon Studios, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Intel, and Mashable — is no longer participating in the SXSW 2020 festival, as concerns heighten over the spread of the coronavirus, reports <a href="https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/apple-cancels-sxsw-2020-coronavirus-1203524430/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Variety.</a></p>

<p class="">Apple has posted a<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iRWCFetoxg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> new video</a> in its "Behind the Mac" series. It highlighs women who are "changing the world" using the Mac.</p>

<p class="">A <a href="https://twitter.com/coiiiiiiiin/status/1235240148452782080" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cryptic tweet</a> from the usually-reliable Apple rumor tweeter known as “CoinX” claims that updates of the iMac and Mac mini are coming soon.</p>

<p class="">Since October 2018, <a href="http://www.bankmycell.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BankMyCell</a> has been collecting data on the new device consumers have during the valuation and trade-in of their old iPhones and other smartphones. The latest data shows that flagship Android devices lose value twice as fast as iOS devices.</p>

<p class="">Apple will temporarily close its Apple Oriocenter retail store in Italy's province of Bergmo due to the coronavirus, reports <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/03/03/virus-forces-apple-to-temporarily-close-retail-stores-in-italy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>. The store will be closed March 6 and 8. (Apple has 17 retail stores in Italy.)</p>

<p class="">At a special event held at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, Apple premiered its upcoming original film, “The Banker.”</p>