Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Following failed licensing talks, Apple has been hit with a suit in the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of seven patents previously owned by Samsung, LG and others that have been declared essential to the 4G LTE wireless standard, reports <a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1133919/apple-sued-in-edtx-over-essential-ex-samsung-lg-patents?nl_pk=ade0cf2b-ea3f-464b-bc93-d8e19277ac63&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=technology&read_more=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Law360</em>.</a></p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple held its annual investor's meeting at its Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, Friday morning. None of the AWT gang was there, but here are some bullet points from various sources such as <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-01/cook-says-apple-is-rolling-the-dice-on-future-products" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a> and <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/01/2019-apple-shareholders-meeting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>9to5Mac</em></a>:</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple says more apps offer Siri Shortcuts, joining the thousands that have integrated shortcuts since their introduction with iOS 12.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Take this one with a grain of salt, but the Spanish blog <a href="https://www.applesfera.com/accesorios/todo-encaja-pistas-nuevos-airpods-llegando-a-tiendas-29-marzo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Applesfera</em></a> says the AirPods 2 will be released on March 29, and the first generation of the wireless earbuds will be discontinued. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">According to the latest market share survey from <a href="http://netmarkeshare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NetMarketShare,</a> the market share for both macOS and iOS was down in February.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has repeatedly said that touchscreens weren’t coming to the Mac. But that isn’t stopping the company from experimenting with such devices in its secret laboratories. The company has filed for a patent (number 20190064877) for a “portable computer unified top case.”</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/02/apple-honors-female-coders-and-creators-for-international-womens-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a post</a> on its Newsroom webpage, Apple Apple is celebrating International Women’s Day throughout March by highlighting the stories and work of female developers, musicians, artists, photographers and entrepreneurs. Apple is also building on its commitment to education with a new partnership with Girls Who Code to expand learning opportunities for young women.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Estimated retail revenues from recorded music in the U.S. grew 12% in 2018 to $9.8 billion in 2018, according to a report from the <a href="http://www.riaa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA</a>). </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for another patent (number 20190065024) that involves the use of “smart gloves” or at least a finger device of some sort. The new filing is for “systems for modifying finger sensations during finger press input events.”</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has announced a series of new app integrations with Siri Shortcuts, according to <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-uses-siri-shortcuts-to-catch-up-to-alexa-google-assistant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>CNET.</em></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=XzZTeneD3GRg3tAQa4UZTcS03TMcKNzPl6CP4veyukMWnHCwhN9vryVPMPGr6HyP" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration:underline">Jamf</span></a>, which specializes in Apple management, says Acadian Ambulance Service is using Apple and Jamf technology to empower its roughly 3,000 employees to deliver care across 74 counties and parishes in four states.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Manufacturers ranging from Huawei to LG, Motorola, Xiaomi and others have announced foldable smartphones. Lots of folks, including Apple co-founder Steve “Woz” Wozniak think Apple should release on ASAP.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Future Apple Pencils may have adjustable sizes. Apple has been granted a patent (number 20190064936) for an “adjustable handheld stylus.” The tech giant notes that styluses are available in a variety of shapes and sizes that are each intended to satisfy certain user preferences. However, while some shapes and sizes are advantageous for certain purposes, the same shapes and sizes can be less desirable for other purposes. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple is teaming up with Adidas — which makes footwear, sports, and casual apparel— for a new Apple Pay promo: use the latter’s mobile payment service in the Adidas app — available at the Apple App Store — and get 15% on your purchase.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.strategyanalytics.com%2Faccess-services%2Fdevices%2Fwearables%2Fmarket-data%2Freport-detail%2Fglobal-smartwatch-vendor-market-share-by-region-q4-2018&esheet=51947836&newsitemid=20190227006074&lan=en-US&anchor=global+smartwatch+shipments+grew+an+impressive+56+percent&index=1&md5=61f23c443143e129e150fb081ec8d67e" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">global smartwatch shipments grew an impressive 56% </a>annually to reach a record 18 million units in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2018. Apple Watch maintained first position with 51% global smartwatch marketshare, while Samsung jumped to second place, overtaking Fitbit and Garmin.</p>