Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">While the worldwide smartphone market is expected to decline again in 2018, IDC believes the market will experience low single-digit growth from 2019 through the end of its forecast in 2022. The International Data Corporation (<a href="http://www.idc.com/">IDC</a>) <a href="http://www.idc.com/tracker/showproductinfo.jsp?prod_id=37">Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker</a> forecasts worldwide smartphone shipments to decline 0.7% in 2018 to 1.455 billion units, down from 1.465 billion in 2017. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Let the Apple Car rumors continue. Apple has filed for a patent (number 10,059,179) for a vehicle sunroof dubbed “movable panels with nonlinear tracks.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Like convenience? Who doesn’t? And LEDVANCE’s HomeKit-enabled SYLVANIA Smart Multicolor A19 bulb is convenient because it can be easily controlled via Siri and Apple’s Home app without a separate hub.</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 <a href="https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1974?locale=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Supplemental Update 2</a>. The company says it improves the stability and reliability of 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar computers, and is recommended for all users.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has released <a href="https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1975?locale=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">updated 7.8 firmware</a> for 2012 802.11n AirPort Express models. It adds adds AirPlay 2 support to 802.11n AirPort Express base stations even though the company is no longer building new models of the router.  </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/memory-storage/portable-solid-state-drives/s/_/n-10+11+hv22y+zq29n/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Samsung Electronics</a> has unveiled its first NVMe-based portable solid state drive (SSD): the Samsung Portable SSD X5 based on Thunderbolt 3 technology.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20180828PD210.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes reports</a> that Apple suppliers are preparing to ship the most new smartphones ever in the fourth quarter of the year when new iPhones are released.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In the second quarter of 2018, Huawei surpassed Apple to secure the number two worldwide smartphone vendor position for the first time ever, according to <a href="http://www.gartner.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gartner, Inc</a>. Apple moved into the number three spot, adds the research group. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I know that Apple and design guru Jony Ive are obsessed with making products as thin as possible. I don’t think they’ll be satisfied until they make Macs, iPads, and iPhones as thin as a sheet of paper.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">FINsix’s $99.99 <a href="https://store.finsix.com/products/dart-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DART-C</a> is described as “the world’s smallest charger for USB Type-C laptops” such as Apple’s recent Mac laptops (more on that in a minute). I’ll take their word for it, but it does allow you to ditch bulky bricks and USB chargers when you’re on the road.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Future AirPods and other headphones/earbuds from Apple may adjust themselves to your ears. Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,063,960) for “pressure sensing earbuds and systems and methods for the use thereof.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Veteran public relations strategist Brian Bumbery – who has worked with Metallica, Green Day, Chris Cornell and Madonna and spent eight years at Warner Bros. Records, before launching his own BB Gun Press firm in 2011 — has joined Apple as the director of publicity for Apple Music, reports <a href="https://variety.com/2018/music/news/brian-bumbery-publicist-apple-music-1202901818/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Variety.</em></a></p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In a new job listing posted today — as noted by <a href="https://www.cultofmac.com/572189/siri-job-listings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Cult of Mac</em></a> —  Apple says it is seeking a writer and editor who can help evolve its Siri personal digital assistant into a “distinct, recognizable character” and make it be “more effective and delightful.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/25/apple-icloud-storage-offer-carriers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">appears to be partnering </a>with all four of the big U.S. carriers with a new iCloud introductory offer. Customers upgrading their iPhone plans get recommended to visit a special iCloud link (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/9a4c59/free_2_months_of_200gb_icloud_storage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">first discovered on this Reddit thread</a>), which lets customers get 2 free months of the 200 GB iCloud tier, ostensibly to “get ready for your new iPhone.”</p>