Dennis Sellers

<p>Regarding the speculation by KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (read my <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/2/25/why-would-apple-launch-its-own-brand-of-over-ear-headphones-since-it-owns-beats" rel="noopener noreferrer">thoughts here</a>) that Apple will launch its own branded high-end, over-ear headphone with an "all new" design to add to its growing audio accessory lineup, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-05/apple-is-said-to-turn-up-audio-ambition-with-high-end-headphones"><em>Bloomberg</em></a> has corroborated the rumor and added some more info.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 20180059925) for an “enhanced 3D interface for remote devices.” Despite the moniker, it’s another patent hinting at upcoming gesture-based interfaces for the Mac. The tech giant has been granted, or applied for, <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/2/6/apple-granted-another-patent-for-a-gesture-based-ui-for-the-mac?rq=gesture" rel="noopener noreferrer">numerous such patents</a>.</p>

<p>Software and Computer System Company (SCSC)’s <a target="_blank" href="http://scsc-online.com/ClearTime.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">ClearTime for the Mac</a> is a configurable clock and alarm system designed to provide users with a more obvious and configurable alarm and clock monitor than those found with standard Mac apps.</p>

<p>When you say “Hey, Siri,” the light atop your HomePod starts glowing. That doesn’t bother me, but it does others. Thankfully, you can turn it off. Here’s how:</p>

<p>This month the European Union (EU) will unveil plans to tax the revenue of large global tech companies such as Apple in the 2% to 6% range (though likely closer to 2% than to 6%), French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in a Le <em>Journal du Dimanche</em> interview as noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-tech-tax-lemaire/eu-eyes-tax-on-tech-giants-closer-to-2-percent-than-6-percent-of-revenue-le-maire-idUSKCN1GF0SK" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Reuters</em></a>.</p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/18/03/03/new-lower-cost-macbook-air-expected-in-second-quarter-of-2018" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a> — KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is planning a lower cost MacBook Air for the second quarter of 2018.</p>

<p>Another day, another potential lawsuit. San Antonio startup WiseWear Corp. will liquidate its assets, blaming a change in Apple’s operating system on a failed round of financing that forced the maker of designer fitness jewelry into bankruptcy Wednesday, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/article/San-Antonio-WiseWear-liquidating-assets-in-12720305.php" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>My San Antonio</em></a>.</p>

<p>Angélica Guerra has joined Apple as its new head of Latin American programming for worldwide video, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/apple-angelica-guerra-head-of-latin-american-programming-1202715429/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Variety</em></a>. She comes from Sony Pictures Television, where she served as senior vice president and managing director of production for Latin America and U.S. Hispanic. </p>

<p>Case-Mate has debuted the Power Pad, a wireless charger with an optional stand included. CEO Steve Marzio says it engages Qi-enabled devices at the highest charging speeds possible, including 7.5W of power for the latest Apple iPhones (iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X) and 9W of power for the latest Samsung devices. </p>

<p>As <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/1/17/someone-is-attaching-apple-shuttle-buses?rq=buses" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported earlier</a>, charter buses carrying Apple and Google employees during their commutes have come under fire. Now the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is using decoy buses and undercover officers to catch the shooter, and the FBI has also been called in to help the investigation, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/california-cops-use-decoy-bus-to-catch-apple-bus-shooter-2018-3" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Business Insider</em></a>.</p>

<p>President Trump said on Thursday that he would impose stiff tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/business/trump-tariffs.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The New York Times</em></a>. If it passes, it could drive up prices on Apple products.</p>

<p>Apple wants to enhance the swimming features of the Apple Watch, as evidenced by two new patent filings. The first (number 20180056129) is for “systems and methods of swimming calorimetry.”</p>

<p>Leave it to the unscrupulous to screw up a good thing. Shortly after the invention of email, spam rose from the dark side of the force and tempered the satisfaction and utility of the miracle of electronic mail.  </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>Apple has updated <a target="_blank" href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/logic-pro-x/id634148309?mt=12&at=11l3Qo" rel="noopener noreferrer">Logic Pro X</a> — its macOS software for professional songwriting, editing, and mixing — to version 10.4.1. Changes in the maintenance release:</p>