Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180350345) for “systems and methods for name pronunciation.” If realized, it would allow Siri, the company’s personal digital assistant, help us pronounce names that are unfamiliar to us.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has applied for a patent (number 2018034699) for an “augmented reality interface for facilitating identification of arriving vehicle.” It sounds like it could be a boon for Uber and Lyft drivers and passengers.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that Apple is surely considering [sarcasm intended] my suggestion of an “AppleOS” that would replace both the iPad Pro version of iOS and macOS, it needs the perfect device to take advantage of this next gen operating system. And — as I bet you knew — I have just the idea: the Apple Pad.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ireland: The Supreme Court will sit in Galway next March to hear an appeal over whether An Bord Pleanála breached its legal obligations in how it approved the first phase of Apple’s planned €850 million data centre in Athenry. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Last week Apple and Amazon surprised folks by <a href="https://blog.aboutamazon.com/devices/alexa-play-bebe-rexha-on-apple-music">by announcing </a>that Apple Music subscribers will be able to enjoy Apple Music’s 50 million songs on Echo devices this holiday season. That’s good news for Apple’s streaming music service and for Amazon, but what does it mean for the HomePod and Apple TV?</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has updated Shortcuts, its iOS productivity app, to version 2.1.2. A free download at the Apple App Store it adds a "Post to Tumblr" action.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has introduced its first case for the iPhone XR. The <a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MRW62/iphone-xr-clear-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iPhone XR Clear Case</a> is available for $39 at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">apple.com</span> and, presumably, Apple retail stores.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has rolled out iOS 12.1.2, macOS 10.14.2, and tvOS 12.1.2. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A rare Steve Jobs signed issue of <em>Macworld</em> magazine will be auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction.  The original issue of <em>Macworld</em> #1 from February 1984, signed and inscribed on the front cover in black ink, "to Matt, steven jobs” will be auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction.  </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple places 71st on Glassdoor’s list of the<a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Award/Best-Places-to-Work-LST_KQ0,19.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> “2019 Best Places to Work</a>” in the U.S. That’s up from 84th last year.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In a note to clients — as noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/12/05/health-tracking-airpods-faces-competition-from-google-and-amazon-suggests-ming-chi-kuo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a> — Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the AirPods are more than just earbuds for Apple and will become increasingly important" to the company. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">iFixIt is offering <a href="http://createsend.ifixit.com/t/r-l-jtsojy-xlkjygu-i/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">the Mac mini Late 2018 Memory Maxxer RAM Upgrade Kit</span></a>. For $164.99, you get a PC4-21300 16GB RAM chip; a spudger, opening tool; angled tweezers, precision bit driver, and 4mm precisions bits. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Apple, tear down this wall!” What wall? The one between iOS and macOS.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,147,459) for “artistic style transfer for videos. It involves methods to easily apply different styles to videos crafted in its iMovie (macOS and iOS), Final Cut Pro X (macOS), and Clips (iOS) apps.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Mac’s Touch Bar is actually a second, mini-display. Which means you can take a screenshot of whatever it’s displaying.</p>