Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Innovative Introductions has released Idea Phrase Creator, a productivity app for Mac designed to help creative writers get over writer's block. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Satechi has announced that three of its Type-C adapters are now available in a gold finish to complement the latest USB-C products on the market, such as the gold MacBook Air, while expanding device’s capabilities.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PhoneSoap</span>, the company that makes a smartphone charger that cleans and sanitizes the device while it charges, has launched the portable version of its device – PhoneSoap Go. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will weigh in on an intellectual property dispute between Apple and the chip supplier Qualcomm over sales of iPhones found to infringe a Qualcomm patent, agreeing on Wednesday to reconsider whether the telecom giant's asserted patent is obvious and whether an import ban against the iPhones would be appropriate, reports <a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1111162/itc-will-review-patent-dispute-between-apple-qualcomm?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;">Elago’s <a href="https://amzn.to/2EjU3e6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">W5 Stand</a>, a $16 retro Apple Watch stand that’s a tribute to the Nintendo gaming classic, is a neat little stocking stuffer for Christmas. It’s compatible with all of Apple’s smartwatches and is, to use an old cliche, as cute as a button.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With macOS Mojave, you can implement Smart Folders, which automatically gather files by type and subject matter. They’re updated as you change, add, and remove files on your Mac.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple is working on tech for improving FaceTime audio conference calls using its Beats headphones or AirPods. The company has filed for a patent (number 20180359294) for “intelligent augmented audio conference calling using headphones.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">According to recent public law filings, California's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is considering a plan that would bill cell phone users a monthly fee for any text message services they use. However, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/13/california-texting-tax/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>engadget</em> notes</a> that apps such as Apple’s Message and WhatsApp would be exempt from the charge since their texts are sent over the Internet rather than as text messages. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206651" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple says</a> its Connect posts from artists are no longer supported in Apple Music. No reason was given why; perhaps the feature simply wasn’t used very much.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">TV ads from Apple nabbed three places on <a href="https://www.adweek.com/creativity/the-25-best-ads-of-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Adweek’s 25 Best Ads of 2018</a>. Here they are, along with their position and <em>Adweek</em>’s descriptions:</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Actor Jennifer Garner and writer/director/producer J.J. Abrams will reunite for “My Glory Was I Had Such Friends,” a limited TV series for Apple, reports <a href="https://deadline.com/2018/12/my-glory-was-i-had-such-friends-apple-series-j-j-abrams-limited-series-star-jennifer-garner-alias-reunion-1202519582/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Deadline</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Americans 55 and older are the fastest- growing group of electronic wearable users in the US, according to <a href="http://www.emarketer.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eMarketer</a>’s latest wearables forecast, largely due to the devices’ enhanced health features. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Future iPhones may be flexible and have addition, slimmer displays on their sides — “sidewall” displays. Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180356913) for such technology, which could also apply to iPads and Mac laptops.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has announced a major expansion of its operations in Austin, including an investment of $1 billion to build a new campus in north Austin, Texas. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Like me, you’ve probably given up on Apple ever releasing its long-promised AirPower wireless charger. May I recommend Belkin's $159.99 <a href="https://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8J234/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BOOST↑UP Wireless Charging Dock</a>?</p>