Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple’s second get AirPods will arrive in the first half of 2019 with health tracking features, according to a <a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20190123PD209.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>DigiTimes</em> report</a> that quotes unnamed “industry sources.” The article says the updated earbuds should receive an “enthusiastic market response,” even as competition heats up.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,185,354) for “capacitive touch opening display for an electronic device” that hints at a future feature for Mac laptops.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I use iOS 12’s Siri to set a timer on my iPhone Xs Max for a variety of tasks. You can do the same to remind yourself to make a phone call, turn the oven on (or off), head out to pick up the kiddos from school, and more. Here’s how to do it:</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple’s Upper East Side store in New York City has won an <a href="https://www.aia.org/showcases/6094355-apple-store-upper-east-side" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Institute of Architects award</a> for interior architecture. The awards are for the “most innovative and spectacular interior spaces.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">More climate-change related disasters will make iPhones even more vital to people’s lives, Apple predicts.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has launched a contest to celebrate “the most stunning photographs” captured on an iPhone and is inviting iPhone users to submit their best shots.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has released macOS 10.14.13, iOS 12.1.3, watchOS 5.1.3, and tvOS 12.1.2.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Target, Taco Bell, Hy-Vee supermarkets in the Midwest, Speedway convenience stores and Jack in the Box are the latest merchants to support Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile contactless payment system that lets you pay in stores using an iPhone or Apple Watch. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple wants to make it easier to handle voice-to-text or text-to-voice functions on an Apple Watch even in a crowded environment. The company has filed for a patent (number 10,187,512) for “notifications with custom user interface.” </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For the 12th year running, Apple has topped the <a href="http://fortune.com/worlds-most-admired-companies/list" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">World's Most Admired Companies</span></a> list by <em>Fortune</em>. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has apparently settled a lawsuit with biometrics firm Valencell regarding alleged patent infringement regarding the Apple Watch. According to <a href="https://the5krunner.com/2019/01/21/apple-vs-valencell-settled/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The 5K Runner </em>website</a>, the case has been settled and neither company plans to comment.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’ve heard this before, but a <a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20190122PD204.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>DigiTimes</em></a> report says glass passivated package (GPP) bridge rectifier orders for Apple's AirPower “continue to pour in.” Citing unnamed sources, the article says the wireless charger will be available later this year.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In the past, I’ve expressed my desire for a “HomePod Theater,” a higher end, home theater model of the HomePod with Dolby Atmos support. However, Apple may have something even more interesting in the works. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On its <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/01/out-of-a-culture-of-giving-a-world-of-difference/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Newsroom page</a>, Apple is highlighting how Apple volunteers are helping to “transform lives.” </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.lexanimotorcars.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lexani Motorcars</a>, which specializes in luxury stretch and armored conversions, has produced the 30" Extended Cadillac Escalade Viceroy Edition—the world's first 2019 stretched Cadillac Escalade mobile office that packs multiple iPads.</p>