Dennis Sellers

<p>Although I prefer the HomePod for use in my home office, <a target="_blank" href="https://audioengineusa.com/shop/wirelessspeakers/a5-wireless-speakers/?utm_source=Audioengine+press+%26+reviewers&utm_campaign=68ecacfc7a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_12&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e4feea32dd-68ecacfc7a-289848513&goal=0_e4feea32dd-68ecacfc7a-289848513&mc_cid=68ecacfc7a&mc_eid=4e155b57bd" rel="noopener noreferrer">Audioengine’s A5+Wireless Speakers </a>are some of the best around — though, at $499 (and up), they should be. That A5+ is a two-way powered speaker system with 5-inch Kevlar woofers and three-quarter-inch silk dome tweeters. Bluetooth set-up is easy, and there’s a Bluetooth antenna to keep your stream of tunes from dropping. </p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180089563) involving “decision making for autonomous vehicle motion control.” It probably involves an advanced version of CarPlay, since I don’t think Apple will ever product an entire “Apple Car.”</p>

<p>You can set up your HomePod, Apple TV 4K, Apple TV (4th generation), or iPad as a home hub to automate and remotely control your HomeKit accessories from your iOS device. </p>

<p>On a regular basis, <em>Apple World Today</em> posts a list of notable new apps or app updates that have been released. They may not necessarily be new, but they're popular and deserve mention. Here are today's picks.</p>

<p>Apple has updated macOS to version 10.13.4. It’s available via the Updates section of the Mac App Store. According to the release notes, the upgrade improves the stability, performance, and security of your Mac, and it is recommended for all users</p>

<p>Apple has released <a target="_blank" href="https://swift.org/download/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Swift 4.1</a> for developers, an upgrade of its programming language. It contains updates to the core language, including more support for generics, new build options, as well as minor enhancements to Swift Package Manager and Foundation. </p>

<p>Apple released AudioOS 11.3, an updated version of the software that powers the HomePod. It should update automatically in the background. If it doesn’t, you can manually check for updates in the Home app.</p>

<p>Apple is tweaking privacy controls for its devices and cloud services to comply with strict new European rules as Facebook, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-29/apple-revamps-privacy-controls-to-comply-with-new-european-law" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a>.</p>

<p>Apple has announced tvOS 11.3, which includes frame rate matching features that were previously only available on the Apple TV 4K.</p>

<p>Apple has released watchOS 4.3 for the Apple Watch. You install it via the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.</p>

<p>Apple has released iOS 11.3 with a Battery Health tool, a Health Records feature, ARKit 1.5, Business Chat, new Animoji, and more. You can download it by going to the Settings App, selecting General, then choosing Software Update.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ikmultimedia.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">IK Multimedia</a> has announced Syntronik Deluxe, the expanded version of the synth powerhouse for Mac and PC systems. It adds five new synths, available both as a collection or as separate synths. </p>

<p>Apple has filed for two patents involving augmented and virtual displays. Patent number 20180089900 is for a virtual display system, and patent number 20180089901 is for an immersive virtual display. Both are for vehicles.</p>

<p>Apple is teaming up with Fanatics, which specializes in licensed sports merchandise, to offer 20% off sporting gear for a limited time.</p>

<p>Apple Music now sports a new Music Videos section ahead of the full release of iOS 11.3 for iPhones and iPads other than the new 9.7-inch iPad. iOS 11.3 <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/3/28/zzd62ni8fpb64nhb49wcthrosmx0ra" rel="noopener noreferrer">was introduced</a> for it yesterday.</p>