Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m still dubious we’re going to see an updated iPad mini, but <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/01/17/fifth-generation-ipad-mini-coming-in-the-first-half-of-2019-says-taiwan-suppliers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">two suppliers of touch panels in Taiwan say</a> they expect to supply screens for the fifth generation iPad mini and a new 2019 iPad.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">According to <a href="https://deadline.com/2019/01/jj-abrams-bad-robot-new-deal-near-disney-warner-bros-universal-apple-1202536008/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Deadline</em></a>, Apple is among those vying to lure JJ Abrams and his Bad Robot banner away from Paramount. However, the tech giant is probably a long shot as other potential contenders include Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, Netflix, and Amazon.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s no surprise, but job openings at Apple with the term "Health" in their titles have been on a steady rise in 2017 and accelerated this fall into winter, according to new data from <a href="https://media.thinknum.com/articles/apple-health-hiring-spree/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Thinknum</em>.</a></p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has given the green light to a 10-episode season of an untitled science fiction series created and co-written by Simon Kinberg (pictured) and David Weil, reports <a href="https://deadline.com/2019/01/simon-kinberg-david-weil-apple-science-fiction-tv-series-deal-10-episode-commitment-x-men-dark-phoenix-1202536718" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Deadline</em></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2019/01/17/apple-watch-johnson-johnson-team-up-study-reduce-stroke-risk/2595420002"><em>USA Today</em> </a>reports that Apple and Johnson & Johnson are teaming up on a study to determine whether the Apple Watch Series 4, in conjunction with an app from the pharmaceutical company, can accelerate the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As I’ve said numerous times, I don’t think Apple will ever release an Apple-branded automotive. However, if I’m wrong, such a vehicle could sport a holographic display.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Future Mac laptops could sport a trackpad that could pair with an iPhone and provide extra power — or vice versa. Apple has filed for a patent (number 20190018450) for an “electronic accessory device” that could “extend and expand usefulness of a portable computing device.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">mophie has embraced the USB-C PD spec for fast charging with its new <a href="http://www.mophie.com/shop/powerstation-usbc-pd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">powerstation PD</span></a> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> <a href="http://www.mophie.com/shop/powerstation-usbc-pd-xl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">powerstation PD XL</span></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> two universal batteries designed to charge popular smartphones at the fastest speed possible. The former ($59.95) proves 6,700mAh of juice, while the second ($79.95) serves up 10,050 of battery power. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple's most recent proxy statement, filed earlier this month, shows the company spent $310,000 on personal security for CEO Tim Cook in 2018. But that's a fraction of other tech giants' expenditures, says <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/millions-silicon-valley-spends-security-execs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Wired</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jason-katims-apple-overall-deal-1203109679/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Variety</em> </a>reports that Jason Katims — writer, producer, and playwright — is departing his longtime home at Universal TV for a new multi-year overall deal at Apple. The tech giant is expected to debut a streaming service at some point this year.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">iPhone sales may be slow in China, but Chinese customers are driving Apple’s App Store business. In fact, China accounted for nearly 50% of all app downloads in 2018, pushing the global downloads count to reach a record 194 billion, according to research firm <a href="https://www.appannie.com/en/insights/market-data/the-state-of-mobile-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">App Annie </a>— as noted by <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/16/app-annie-china-drove-40-of-mobile-app-spending-and-nearly-half-of-all-downloads-in-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>VentureBeat</em> </a>.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The original Mac evangelist, Guy Kawasaki, will be one of the keynote speakers at <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2348469-1&h=4269825753&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftagsummit.com%2F&a=The+Summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Summit</a>, the largest technology industry showcase in Georgia, returns Feb. 11-12, 2019 to Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple is reportedly talking with at least private Medicare plans about getting Apple Watches into the hands of millions of people over the age of 65. It makes a lot of sense for Apple to do that, health experts told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/15/apple-talking-to-private-medicare-plans-about-subsidizing-apple-watch.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>CNBC</em></a>, since it could prevent expensive doctor or hospital visits.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2348189-1&h=2432765166&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.electran.org%2F&a=Electronic+Transactions+Association" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Electronic Transactions Association</a> (ETA), the the global trade association representing more than 500 payments and technology companies, says Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of internet services, will deliver the keynote address at <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2348189-1&h=4096720409&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.electran.org%2Fevents%2Fetatransact%2F&a=TRANSACT" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TRANSACT</a> , the world's largest payments technology event.  </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sprint customers can now use Apple Business Chat to message an agent, learn about Sprint plans and more. </p>