Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple plans to open a research and development center in Jakarta, Indonesia, next year, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2016/11/24/056822891/Apple-to-Set-up-RD-Center-in-Jakarta-in-2017" rel="noopener noreferrer">a Tempo report</a>. Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara said that the preparation of the project development has progressed to the final stage.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://usa.just-mobile.com/xtand-vent.html#.WDtzXHeZNBx" rel="noopener noreferrer">Just Mobile’s Xtand Vent</a> is a simple, inexpensive (US$24.95), solution that doesn’t one job and does it reasonably well, though it’s not a good solution for everyone. It’s a smartphone holder that clips onto your car’s air vent.</p>

<p>President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring Apple manufacturing of iPhones back to the U.S. Some pundits have said that will never happen as it would make the cost of the smartphone skyrocket, but that might not be the case. </p>

<p>Apple's has launched its Black Friday specials in the <a href="http://www.apple.com/shop/gifts/one-day-shopping-event">United States</a> and <a href="http://www.apple.com/ca/shop/gifts/one-day-shopping-event">Canada</a>, offering customers free Apple Store gift cards worth up to US$150 when you buy selected products. The deal is good for today (Nov. 25) only.</p>

<p>Since Thursday, Nov. 24, is Thanksgiving here in the good ol' US of A, A<em>pple World Today</em> will be "closed" that day and we'll run a light schedule on Friday, Nov. 25, as we spend time with our family and friends. Actually, we'll be so sluggish from all that food we ate on Thursday, it's doubtful that we'd have the energy to get much done.</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 folks behind Newton, a work email service, is offering a Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale. They’re offering Newton at a 50% discount. This offer is available for both new and existing users who’ve not subscribed yet.</p>

<p>In an interview with the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/23/us/politics/trump-new-york-times-interview-transcript.html?_r=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">New York Times</a>, President elect Donald Trump says he told Apple CEO Tim Cook that he wants the company to build iPhones and other products in the U.S. — and is willing to offer a large tax cut to make it happen.</p>

<p>Federal auto safety regulators want Apple and other makers of handheld devices to add a driver mode to modify or block certain apps and features to keep a driver’s attention on the road, according to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/business/auto-safety-regulators-seek-a-driver-mode-to-block-apps.html?_r=1" rel="noopener noreferrer">New York Times</a>.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">In a note to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/11/23/every-2017-iphone-to-feature-wireless-charging-and-glass-casing-analyst-says" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a> — KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks the 2017 iPhones will sport a glass case and wireless charging. </p>

<p>According to the latest research from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.strategyanalytics.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Strategy Analytics</a>, global smartphone profits reached US$9 billion in total during the third quarter of 2016. Apple dominated and captured a record 91% share of all smartphone profits worldwide, note the research group.</p>

<p>Satechi has introduced the Smart Charging Stand, a multifunctional four-port USB charger. It sports one internal USB charging port and three USB ports on the base of the stand. </p>

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">At first glance, the US$99.95 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.harmanaudio.com/akg/Y+50.html?dwvar_Y%2050_color=Black#start=31" rel="noopener noreferrer">AKG Y50</a> looks like a Beats wannabe. However, place it on your ears for a listen and you'll be pleasantly surprised at just how good the on-ear headphone sounds. It Beats (pun intended) every headphone that I've tested in its price range.</p>

<p>When the <a target="_blank" href="http://apple.com/macbookpro" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacBook Pro with Touch Bar</a> were announced, I was intrigued by the prospect of replacing my 27-inch iMac AND 12-inch MacBook with one machine. I haven’t made the plunge just yet (I want to see how those LG UltraFine displays look and work); however, I sold my MacBook and purchased one of the new 15-inch MB Pros. </p>

<p>Apple is teaming up with Ola, India’s largest ride-hailing company, to make <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-music/">Apple Music</a> available to customers who order a ride, according to <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-apple-ola-20161122-story.html"><em>The Los Angeles Times</em></a>.</p>