Dennis Sellers

<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>

<p class="">Terri Morgan, co-founder and principle designer for Luma Touch, and FiLMiC Founder and CEO Neill Barham have put together the Mobile Creators Summit to fill part of the gap left by the cancellation of NAB this year. They join host Chuck Joiner on a <a href="http://www.macvoices.com/macvoices-20116-filmic-and-luma-touch-join-forces-to-present-the-mobile-creator-summit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new episode of MacVoices</a> to talk about the whats, whens, and hows of attending (hint: it is online and free).</p>

<p class="">Apps and social platforms are playing a key role in the new world of social distancing, which could be impacting the way consumers connect to them emotionally, according to MBLM (pronounced Emblem), the “brand intimacy agency.”</p>