Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">U.S. smartwatch sales experienced strong growth in the 12 months ending November 2018 compared to the same timeframe a year prior,  according to <a href="http://www.npd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The NPD Group's</a> new Smartwatch Total Market Report. And the Apple Watch remains the clear market leader. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,203,489) for an “optical system 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 yet to announce the dates for its <a href="https://developer.apple.com/wwdc/">Worldwide Developers Conference</a> in 2019, but <a href="http://www.macrumors.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MacRumors</em></a> says it has uncovered evidence that confirms the event will take place June 3-7 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">MacTech, which produces live events such as MacTech Conference, has announced its 2019 regional, one-day event series. MacTech’s regional event series, called MacTech Pro, is designed specifically for consultants, techs, and IT Pros who support others who use Apple technologies.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Analysts at Goldman Sachs estimate more than 20 percent of Apple's growing services revenue comes from Google, according to analyst at Goldman Sachs. The company’s services income is gleaned from, among other things, iTunes, iCloud, Apple Music, Apple Pay, AppleCare and the various App Stores.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple will hold a media event in the Steve Jobs Theater at the Apple Park Campus on Monday, March 25, to unveil a new subscription news service according to <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/apple-event-march-2019-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>BuzzFeed</em></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">HITCASE has launched its new <a href="https://www.hitcase.com/products/wide-lens-for-iphone-truelux" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TrueLUX Wide Angle Lens for iPhone.</a> The company says it’s redesigned to offer a larger field of view and crisper edge to edge optic clarity while remaining compact, impact resistant and waterproof. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,204,517) for a “wireless vehicle system for enhancing situational awareness.” The goal is to make cars safer.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple names Frank Casanova as head of marketing for automated reality. According to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-12/apple-taps-iphone-executive-to-be-first-head-of-marketing-for-ar" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a>, he started the new position this month. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">According to the <a href="https://www.iphonehellas.gr/airpods2-airpower-ipad-2019-29-march/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Greek-language site</a> <em>iPhonehellas</em>, quoting a "reliable source inside the Chinese supply chain,” says Apple will start taking pre-orders on the AirPods 2, the AirPower, the iPad mini 5, and a new 9.7-inch (or perhaps 10-inch) iPad on March 22 with the products shipping a week later.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Another day, another lawsuit. Fundamental Innovation Systems International (FISI), regarded (by me, anyway) as a “patent troll,” has sued Apple, claiming the tech company infringes on multiple patents involving USB charging and communication technologies, reports <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/02/11/apple-sued-over-rim-developed-usb-charging-technology-following-preemptive-action" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Samsung <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190211005516/en/Samsung-Launches-2019-QLED-TV-Line" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">says</a> its 2019 QLED TVs — in both 4K and 8K versions — are now available to purchase or pre-order, while the previously announced iTunes app and AirPlay 2 feature will be available in a future update for compatible 2019 and 2018 TVs.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><em>The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs</em>, an opera based on the life of Apple’s late co-founder and CEO, won the Grammy for best opera recording last night.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">iPhone sales in China fell 20% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2018, while sales for smartphones made by China-based Huawei soared by 23%, according to <a href="http://www.idc.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IDC</a>.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has announced that, working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Health Records on iPhone feature will be available soon to veterans. For the first time, American veterans receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration will be able to securely view their aggregated health records directly in the Health app on their iPhones.</p>