Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">UBTECH Robotics, which specializes in intelligent humanoid robotics and AI technologies, has launched the JIMU Robot BuilderBots Series: Overdrive Kit. A hands-on introduction to STEM learning, it’s an interactive robotic building block kit that gives kids the opportunity to use over 400 parts to build, program, and code two new robots – DozerBot and DirtBot – or invent their own robot creation. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Though the 2018 MacBook Pros apparently have better keyboards than their predecessors, Apple has been sued multiple times for alleged flaws in the butterfly keyboards of 2016 and 2017 Mac laptops, so you might want to invest in Macally’s $14.99 <a href="https://us.macally.com/collections/macbook/products/kbguardtbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">KBGUARD TBB keyboard protective overlay</a> for 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Touch Bar.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, at the end of each week day, we’ll offer this wrap-up of news items you should check out.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has released Pages 7.2, Keynote 8.2, and Numbers 5.2 for macOS. All add support for the Dark Mode in the upcoming macOS Mojave release and support for Continuity Camera, which allows you to take a photo with you iPhone and have it automatically appear in a document.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has released Safari 12 for macOS Sierra and macOS High Sierra. It’s available for download at the Mac App Store. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The HomePod, Apple’s wireless speaker, is getting new features via a free software update. The upgrade allows you to do even more with Siri on the speaker; among other things, it adds the ability to search by lyrics, set multiple timers, make and receive phone calls, and more. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">tvOS 12 has arrived with support for Dolby Atmos sound. If your Apple TV hasn't already downloaded the update automatically, open the Settings app, choose System, Software Updates, then "Update Software.” </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">watchOS 5 is here. You can download it via the Watch app on the iPhone. Among other things, the update allows Apple Watch owners to communicate with others and keep on track with exercising through a variety of new features.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">miggo says its Pictar One PLUS DSLR-style smartphone camera grip is ready to for the new iPhone models (XS, XS Max, and XR). </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=3lVXPa9w9dzYTxln7u8YTwAFEjlbJwynf5XoMyn0y43-DQlqIpVHeHhVcAvp834agYjuazaf5C2iZ9BMHi0pUg==" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jamf</span></a> says it’s prepared with both compatibility and key feature support for Apple’s release of iOS 12 and tvOS 12.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And here’s the problem with announcing products too far ahead of time: Apple previewed the AirPower over a year ago and has kept changing the times of its arrival. Now the company has removed almost all mentions of the device from its web pages, and the product seems to be dead. Or at least on the very sick list.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Macally’s $49.95 <a href="https://us.macally.com/products/astand" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ASTAND</a> is one of my favorite stands to use with my 15-inch MacBook Pro because it comes with a clip-on fan to keep the laptop cool.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I ran across this article at <a href="https://gizmodo.com/yes-you-can-own-the-movies-you-buy-from-apple-kinda-1829031620" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Gizmodo</em></a> while vacationing last week. It tells of a man who had purchased three movies from iTunes, but which disappeared from his library.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Some expected Apple product announcements didn’t materialize today. Should we expect another Apple event in October?</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At today’s Gather Round media event, Apple said that major updates to all its operating systems are coming within two weeks.</p>