Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.toastmade.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Toast</a>, a company that creates laser-cut tech covers from real wood veneers, has launched their cover for the iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and Xr lines. I tried one with my iPhone Xs Max, and it’s pretty cool — though I have one major reservation. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Eltima Software’s <a href="https://mac.eltima.com/video-downloader.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VideoDuke 1.0</a> is a new app for video downloading on a Mac with only a URL at hand.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,104,219) for tracking activity data between a wearable device (the Apple Watch) or two (another Apple Watch) paired with a companion device (the iPhone). Hey, the company really wants you to own multiple smartwatches of its making.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">High-end audio company Devialet has pulled its products from Apple retail stores after “disappointed” by the retail partnership, according to the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/10/14/devialetsevers-ties-apple-disappointing-sales/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Telegraph</em></a>. The company is best-known for its line of “Phantom” high-end speakers (pictured), which have been sold via Apple’s physical and online stores since 2015.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In a note to clients — as noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/10/15/iphone-xr-will-propel-not-just-holiday-iphone-sales-but-drive-early-2019-to-new-heights" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a> — analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that demand for the iPhone Xr will be better than anticipated. He thinks that Apple will sell about 38 million of the smartphones. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Zimmer Biomet Holdings, which specializes in musculoskeletal healthcare, is working with Apple by using the Apple Watch and iPhone “to change the patient journey for two of the most common surgeries Americans undergo each year – knee and hip replacement,” according to Bryan Hanson, President and CEO, Zimmer Biomet. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today at <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmax.adobe.com%2F&esheet=51882721&newsitemid=20181015005237&lan=en-US&anchor=Adobe+MAX&index=1&md5=d3fbf19ac12870eb55c25d39d879e768" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Adobe MAX</a>, Adobe Adobe previewed new iPad versions of Adobe Photoshop CC and Project Gemini, a drawing app. Both are due in 2019.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple wants to make it easier to watch homemade videos or videos bought/rented at the iTunes Store on its various device.The tech giant has file for a patent (number 20180295398) for a “movie package file format.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has reportedly acquired Asaii, a music analytics company, according to <a href="https://www.axios.com/apple-acquires-asaii-music-streaming-analytics-4463b3fc-88c7-42a6-8093-7651edddf579.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Axios</em></a>. The deal, which appears to be verified by employee LinkedIn profiles, was worth less than $100 million, the article adds, quoting an unnamed source.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.eblocker.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">eBlocker</span></a>'s eBlocker 2 is the company’s latest device designed to anonymize a user’s online identity, block data collectors, thwart tracking ads, and prevent children from accessing inappropriate content. If you’re in the market for such a product, this one is easy to use.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Want to add a contact to the Home screen on your iPhone or iPad? Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,095,375) that would allow you to do this.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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 this week’s picks.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">According to <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2018/10/12/iphone-xr-apple-clear-case/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>9to5Mac</em></a>, Apple will release its own clear case for the iPhone Xr. The smartphone will be available for pre-order in a week and goes on sale Oct. 26.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The International Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM) says only Apple appears to have applied at least some proper ITAM practices for equipment acquisition and detected problems with the Super Micro Computer (Supermicro) servers allegedly containing the tiny microchips installed for hacking and spying purposes. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You can’t get a much more protective case than Otterbox’s <a href="https://www.otterbox.com/en-us/apple-iphone-xs-max/defender-series-pro-screenless-edition-case/77-60720.html#sz=51&start=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Defender Series Pro Screenless Edition for iPhone Xs Max,</a> but it adds considerable weight and bulk to the smartphone. </p>