Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 2020050154) that hints at a "modular" Apple Watch that would allow allow a user to easily customize it with one or more functional modules to provide features that integrate with other operations of the body of the watch.</p>

<p class="">The global smart speaker market reached a new high in 2019 with sales of 146.9 million units, an increase of 70% on 2018, according to new research from Strategy Analytics. Apple, with its HomePod, remains in six place with 4.7% market share.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200049864) for “privacy films for curved displays" that hint at Mac laptops with curved screens.</p>

<p class="">Apple wants to make it easier for HomeKit compatible gadgets to "talk" to each other as evidenced by a new patent filing (number 20200053689) for “object tracking and authentication using modular wall units.”</p>

<p class="">Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200049515) for an “autonomous navigation system.”</p>

<p class="">Apple will release iPhones and iPad Pros with 5G connectivity in the second half of 2020, according to two reports from <a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20200213PD204.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes Research</a> (a subscription is required to read the entire articles).</p>

<p class="">According to a report from <a href="https://resources.malwarebytes.com/files/2020/02/2020_State-of-Malware-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Malwarebytes</a>, the number of malware threats detected on Mac endpoints outpaced those targeting Windows PCs for the first time in 2019.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://qz.com/1799912/apple-pay-on-pace-to-account-for-10-percent-of-global-card-transactions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quartz</a> reports that Apple Pay accounts for about 5% of global card transactions and is on pace to handle 1-in-10 such payments by 2025, according to recent trend data compiled by Bernstein, a research firm.</p>

<p class="">Sales of smartphones with embedded hardware security (secure smartphones) grew 39% year-on-year (YoY) in 2019, according to the latest research from Counterpoint's IoT Security Service. Apple's iPhone leads the way with 42% market share, according to the research group.</p>

<p class="">A new report from <a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20200212PD204.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes Research</a> (a subscription is required to read the whole article) says Apple is working on “AirPod Pro Lite" headphones, as well as next generation iPads, iMacs, and Apple Watches. The report gives no details.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple needs to rename some of its Apple TV products. If you weren't an Apple follower (such as Yours Truly) it would be a confusing mess. Consider:</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">An unexpectedly high water bill can put a big dent in a monthly budget. Water leaks contribute a significant portion to home repair costs each year. </p>

<p class="">Just in time for Valentine's Day, a new Apple Pay promotion allows you to get $15 off a purchase of $29.99 or more in the 1-800-Flowers app or on <a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=0MExDANV5kskELPmvNhXBVd9OBcpnG1N6D3MfXtPMOICtlSrYwf9Nd%2BRHg%2Fm%2FXlC9TZQ7nMlUSz%2BGzURShE1BBlUHQ1wUSbNZb5%2FTQwMudfGcCbKEfVG5lXiZaC%2Bf1Co&ct=ab2j9L2x4C" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1800Flowers.com</a>.</p>

<p class="">The rumored “Apple Glasses” — an augmented reality (AR) head-mounted display (HMD) — may automatically detect, respond to your physical movements. Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,557,724) for “angle detection of a rotating system using a single magnet and multiple hall sensors.”</p>

<p class="">A <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-11/mastercard-wins-approval-to-enter-china-s-27-trillion-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> by Bloomberg says Mastercard has been given the green light by the People's Bank of China to begin operating its bank card clearing business in China,. This means that Apple should be able to expand its self-branded Apple Card in the country.</p>