Dennis Sellers

<p>Citing unnamed industry sources, the <em>Economic Daily News</em> (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/rumor/entry-34545.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">via</a> <em>Mac Otakara</em>) reports a cheaper version of HomePod is due to arrive in the second half of the year.</p>

<p>Apple’s has released its 12th annual Supplier Responsibility Progress Report, which details progress the company is making to improve working conditions at supplier facilities, protect the planet and ensure responsible sourcing. </p>

<p>The $39 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.xoopar.com/retail/XBOY81001" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mini Xboy</a> is one of Xoopar’s Xboy line of Bluetooth speakers. Kids will find it entertaining; adults not so much.</p>

<p>David C. recently wrote me to recommend an app called KeyCue, saying: "KeyCue is a macOS app that reliably displays keyboard shortcuts for the currently used application by merely holding down the ⌘ key—one of the first apps I add to a new Mac.”</p>

<p>On a regular basis, <em>Apple World Today</em> 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>The AWT News Update is on hiatus while my compadre, Steve, takes a road trip. In its place, I’ll offer a text-only (no podcast) summary of breaking stories with a tip o’ my hat to my former website, <em>Apple Daily Report</em>.</p>

<p>In a report to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/03/07/apples-face-id-equipped-ipad-pros-likely-ready-for-production-shipping-late-next-quarter" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a> — Rosenblatt Securities' analyst Jun Zhang says Face ID iPad Pros will ship late in the June quarter. </p>

<p>Ireland has chosen the Bank of New York Mellon to administer an escrow fund of up to 15 billion euros (about $18.6 billion) in disputed taxes that the European Commission (EU) ordered the government to collect from Apple, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-apple-taxavoidance/ireland-chooses-bny-mellon-to-manage-apple-escrow-fund-idUSKCN1GJ190?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtechnologyNews+%28Reuters+Technology+News%29" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Reuters</em></a>.</p>

<p>According to <a target="_blank" href="http://english.etnews.com/20180307200001" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>ET News</em></a>, Apple will ditch the “notch design” in 2019 iPhones. The design provides a concave spot at the top of the smartphone screen that’s home to the front-facing camera, separate infra-red camera for Face ID, dot projector, flood illuminator, speaker, microphone, ambient light sensor and proximity sensor.</p>

<p>On Feb. 16, I published an updated review for Default Folder X (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ybm5au72">https://tinyurl.com/ybm5au72</a>), one of my favorite macOS utilities ever and one I’ve used for years. Recently, I interviewed St. Clair Software’s Jon Gotow, the man behind the app.</p>

<p>Sonnet Technologies’ 1TB version of its Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive makes a great product even better. It’s a new model of the pocket-sized solid-state drive (SSD) storage device that packs a Thunderbolt 3 interface.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,911,123) for its Apple Pay interface. Apple Pay is the mobile payment and digital wallet service that lets users make payments using an iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac. </p>

<p>On a regular basis, <em>Apple World Today</em> 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>The AWT News Update is on hiatus while my compadre, Steve, takes a road trip. In its place, I’ll offer a text-only (no podcast) summary of breaking stories with a tip o’ my hat to my former website, <em>Apple Daily Report</em>.</p>

<p>Twelve South has announced an update to its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twelvesouth.com/product/bookarc-mod-for-macbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">BookArc mod MacBook stand</a> with a wood focused design. It works with most Mac laptops, including the MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3. </p>