Dennis Sellers

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The number of SVOD subscriptions for movies, linear channels and TV episodes (and excluding other platforms such as sports services) in North America will climb by 110 million from 160 million in 2018 to 270 million in 2024, according to <a href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Research and Markets.</a> These figures are gross - many homes take more than one SVOD platform</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple continues to lead global premium smartphone segment by capturing more than half of the market while OnePlus entered the top five brands in the premium segment for the first time ever in 2018 as competition intensified in the global premium smartphone segment. The segment grew faster than the global smartphone market, according to Counterpoint Research’s <a href="https://report.counterpointresearch.com/posts/report/Monitor" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Market Monitor 2018</a> service.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.emarketer.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eMarketer </a>has released data on UK and U.S. market share for the iPhone and iPad, along with usage of Apple TV. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In observation of Distracted Driving Month this April, <a href="http://www.thezebra.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Zebra</a>, an insurance comparison site, surveyed 2,107 Americans to uncover what activities are distracting them on the road. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In a note to clients — as noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/04/24/two-new-airpods-models-coming-in-2019-and-2020-says-ming-chi-kuo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em> </a>— analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple will release two new AirPod models later this year or in early 2020. The Sellers Research Group (that’s me) says, barring any production problems, we’ll see them this year, so Apple can capitalize on holiday spending.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">If you’re like me, you suffer from cable clutter. Even though I have a 27-inch iMac 5K with a decent amount of internal storage, I have connections to: an external hard drive; various adapter cables; and a surge protector to protect all these gadgets.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,269,369) for a “system and method of noise reduction for a mobile device.” The goal is to make it easier to hear phone calls on your iPhone when you’re in a noisy environment.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple CEO Tim Cook has added his voice to the growing chorus of prominent people both inside and outside the tech sector that are calling for government to become more involved in regulating technology firms, according to<em> </em><a href="https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/apple-tim-cook-technology-regulation-14934587)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Street</em></a>.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has launched a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Myj674wRVXB9I4c6Hm5zA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new YouTube channel</a> dubbed Apple TV that has info on its upcoming Apple TV+ streaming service, which is launching this fall.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has released the third public betas of macOS 10.14.5 and iOS 12.3.They’re available on <a href="https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple's Beta Software Program website</a>. Just remember that beta software, so proceed with care.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">If Apple is going to really push its HomePod, now is the time. There will be more U.S. homes with smart speakers than without by the end of next year, according to the latest projections from <a href="http://www.strategyanalytics.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Strategy Analytics</a>. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">This is one rumor I hope is true: on the <em>Connected</em> <a href="https://twitter.com/_connectedfm/status/1118602625317056515" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcast</a>, <em>MacStories</em> editor Federico Viticci said that, based on “conversations with others,” mouse support could be part of the AssistiveTouch accessibility feature.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">You don’t have to be a pilot or pro athlete to fear drug testing from your employer. Tens of millions of Americans are potentially subject to workplace drug testing each year.  And naturally that has some workers more concerned than others.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Future versions of the Apple Pencil may allow you to use multiple inputs as hinted by a newly granted patent (number 10,268,273). For example, you could attach brushes to the tip of the input device for digital painting on an iPad or iPhone.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 10,270,983) for a “creative camera” that involves enhanced use of Animoji and Memoji.</p>