Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">I’ve said before that Apple should introduce both lower-priced HomePods and more expensive ones, the latter for home theater systems (the HomePod Theater?). The company may be considering the latter, as it’s filed for a patent (number 20190180688) for “automatic rendering of 3D sound.” If it ever sees the light of day, such a system would require more than higher-end HomePods.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Another day, another lawsuit. Apple is being sued by a company called <a href="http://www.seven.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Seven Networks</a> for — what else? — patent infringement.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">A California federal judge has agreed to break off a small piece of Apple's impending antitrust and contract trial with Qualcomm, putting off the question of Apple's obligation to cover any liabilities incurred by its contract manufacturers facing Qualcomm's contract breach claims until after the main proceedings, reports <a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1148552/apple-qualcomm-trial-sees-indemnity-question-separated?nl_pk=ade0cf2b-ea3f-464b-bc93-d8e19277ac63&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Law360</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple says it has nearly doubled the number of suppliers that have committed to run their Apple production on 100% clean energy, bringing the total number to 44. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has filed for a patent (number 201909109934) that involves a dedicated GPS screen in an automobile. It would be used for GPS and navigation purposes. And, based on some of the graphics in the patent filing, the info would be displayed on the car’s windshield.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">New reports from IDC and Gartner research groups show that Apple’s Mac unit sales are down, but marketshare is up in the first quarter of 2019 as the entire personal computer market is in a slump.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Synology Inc. has announced a series of workshops aimed at helping business owners identify and solve their data and security issues. Currently, there are over a million Synology units in service, with three thousand more added every day. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Rapper Wiz Khalifa will launch a docuseries, “Wiz Khalifa: Behind the Cam,” on Apple Music on April 17, reports <a href="https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/wiz-khalifa-docuseries-launch-apple-music-watch-trailer-exclusive-video-1203185594/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Variety</em>.</a></p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple Pay outshines Google's and Samsung's mobile wallets, according to a new report from <a href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Research and Markets.</a></p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has moved to remove the co-lead counsel in a consolidated multidistrict litigation accusing the tech giant of deliberately slowing down iPhone performance, saying the attorneys had quoted from protected Apple documents in open court during a hearing and doubled down when challenged, reports<em> </em><a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1148238/apple-seeks-class-counsel-s-removal-in-iphone-updates-mdl?nl_pk=ade0cf2b-ea3f-464b-bc93-d8e19277ac63&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Law360</em>.</a></p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has reportedly caved into the China government’s request again. The tech giant has <a href="https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/04/09/apple-music-china-removes-jacky-cheung-song-reference-tiananmen-massacre/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">removed a song</a> by Hong Kong-based artist Jacky Cheung that referenced the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, reports the <em>Hong Kong Free Press</em>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="http://urbanarmorgear.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Urban Armor Gear</a> has launched its Plyo Series, which designed for the news <a href="https://urbanarmorgear.com/products/plyo-series-macbook-air-13-inch-2018-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration:underline">MacBook Air</span></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is working with Oprah Winfrey on a new series for Apple about mental health, set to air in 2020. The new series was <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEiIvzhD0J/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration:underline">announced on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Instagram account</span></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Sajid Javid — home secretary of the United Kingdom — says  the controversial Brexit app for European Union citizens’ residency rights will finally work on iPhones, reports <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/29/android-brexit-app-for-eu-citizens-to-work-on-iphones-says-sajid-javid" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Guardian</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Previously, <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2019/3/19/heres-why-ill-probably-pass-on-the-new-imac?rq=2019%20iMac" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">I said </a>I’d probably pass on the latest iMac upgrade. However, I changed my mind because — despite my disappointment that there was no screen update, no T2 security chip, etc. — I still think it’s the best Mac for the money.</p>