Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple is targeting “prestigious awards” for its upcoming slate of original movies and TV shows, “demonstrating grand Hollywood ambitions for a video streaming service that will compete with Netflix Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and established studios,” according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-15/apple-is-said-to-pursue-prestigious-awards-for-new-video-service" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a>, quoting unnamed “people familiar with the plans.”</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">On March 13, <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2019/3/13/spotify-accuses-apple-of-anti-competitive-practices)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spotify filed an anti-competition complaint </a>about Apple with the European Commission, claiming the Cupertino, California-based company limited innovation and constraining user choice by refusing to allow Spotify and other firms access to technology and information via the App Store. Now Apple has released a statement addressing Spotify’s claims:</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple wants to beef up its ski tracking features on the Apple Watch. The company has filed for a patent (number 20190076063) for “systems and methods of ski activity detection.”</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day. Hopefully, you’ll wear something green and check out some macOS and iOS apps to celebrate.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has formally committed to <em>Pachinko</em>, an eight-episode drama based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Min Fine Lee, according to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/pachinko-picked-up-series-at-apple-1194524" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Hollywood Reporter</em></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple’s suppliers are"gearing up for mass production" of updated <a href="https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad/">iPad</a> and AirPods models, according to <em>DigiTimes</em>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.connectedtravel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration:underline">ConnectedTravel</span></a>, a connected vehicle platform and application services company, has launched its mobile infotainment, commerce, and rewards platform and the debut of what it says is the automotive industry’s first consumer application system to “gamify" the driving and riding experience. It expands upon Apple’s CarPlay.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The RTL Group, a digital media group with interests in 61 television and 30 radio stations in 10 countries, has touted its “remarkable” relationship with HBO and revealed that it is in talks to supply content to Apple, reports <a href="https://deadline.com/2019/03/fremantle-hbo-apple-1202575544/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Deadline</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple will stop selling the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in India and move out of small stores and outlets where sales don’t exceed 35 units per month, according to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/electronics/apple-will-hang-up-on-older-models-small-stores-to-retain-premium-edge/articleshow/68401576.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Economic Times</em></a>, quoting three unnamed senior industry execs.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In a note to clients — as noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/03/14/apples-services-business-seen-adding-6-to-earnings-per-share-by-2021)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a>— Cowen analysts predict that Apple’s Services revenue will double by 2021, adding $6 to earnings per share.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple wants to make it easy for you to take augmented reality self-portraits with an iPhone. The company has filed for two patents regarding such a process.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20190079301) for a “face seal for a head-mounted display.” One of several such patents, it doubtless involves the company’s “Apple Glasses” headset that’s expected to debut next year.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (20190081509) for a “wireless charging mat with dynamic surface texture.” It seems to involve its long-awaited AirPower product.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Last week <a href="http://www.sfbags.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WaterField Designs</a> announced Wallet Month — the culmination of a two-month, 2,000-customer-participant, crowdsourced design project — with the launch of two <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2019/3/5/waterfield-designs-debuts-two-new-wallets-as-part-of-wallet-month?rq=wallet" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">minimalist wallets</a>: the Minemo and the Clyff.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Last November, Apple and Amazon <a href="https://blog.aboutamazon.com/devices/alexa-play-bebe-rexha-on-apple-music" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced </a>that Apple Music was coming to Amazon’s Echo devices. Now support for the streaming music service has come to Amazon’s Fire TV, according to <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/13/apple-music-launches-on-amazon-fire-tv-coming-to-echo-for-uk-users-soon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>9to5Mac</em></a>.</p>