Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple is working on tech for improving FaceTime audio conference calls using its Beats headphones or AirPods. The company has filed for a patent (number 20180359294) for “intelligent augmented audio conference calling using headphones.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">According to recent public law filings, California's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is considering a plan that would bill cell phone users a monthly fee for any text message services they use. However, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/13/california-texting-tax/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>engadget</em> notes</a> that apps such as Apple’s Message and WhatsApp would be exempt from the charge since their texts are sent over the Internet rather than as text messages. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206651" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple says</a> its Connect posts from artists are no longer supported in Apple Music. No reason was given why; perhaps the feature simply wasn’t used very much.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">TV ads from Apple nabbed three places on <a href="https://www.adweek.com/creativity/the-25-best-ads-of-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Adweek’s 25 Best Ads of 2018</a>. Here they are, along with their position and <em>Adweek</em>’s descriptions:</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Actor Jennifer Garner and writer/director/producer J.J. Abrams will reunite for “My Glory Was I Had Such Friends,” a limited TV series for Apple, reports <a href="https://deadline.com/2018/12/my-glory-was-i-had-such-friends-apple-series-j-j-abrams-limited-series-star-jennifer-garner-alias-reunion-1202519582/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Deadline</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Americans 55 and older are the fastest- growing group of electronic wearable users in the US, according to <a href="http://www.emarketer.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eMarketer</a>’s latest wearables forecast, largely due to the devices’ enhanced health features. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Future iPhones may be flexible and have addition, slimmer displays on their sides — “sidewall” displays. Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180356913) for such technology, which could also apply to iPads and Mac laptops.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has announced a major expansion of its operations in Austin, including an investment of $1 billion to build a new campus in north Austin, Texas. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Like me, you’ve probably given up on Apple ever releasing its long-promised AirPower wireless charger. May I recommend Belkin's $159.99 <a href="https://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8J234/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BOOST↑UP Wireless Charging Dock</a>?</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There are several ways to customize the Finder sidebar in macOS Mojave. To hide or show the sidebar: Choose View > Hide Sidebar or View > Show Sidebar. (If Show Sidebar is dimmed, choose View > Show Toolbar.)</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Microsoft has updated its suite of Office apps for Mac, adding complete support for macOS Mojave, including Dark Mode and Continuity Camera.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has hired more than 40 and up to 50 doctors in recent years, sources say, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/12/apple-has-dozens-of-doctors-on-staff.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>CNBC</em></a>. They’re “influential, scattered across teams, and helping guide strategy as the company delves into health care,” the article adds.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has has hired Sony's Tamara Hunter to serve as its head of casting for its Apple Entertainment Division (or whatever it finally calls its upcoming streaming service), reports <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/apple-taps-sonys-tamara-hunter-as-head-casting-1168556" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Hollywood Reporter</a>.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A new report from <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/apple-developing-modem-as-chip-efforts-expand" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Information</em></a> says Apple is working on its own cellular modem, although it could take up to three years before they appear in iPhones and other products. That sounds right.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A new report from <a href="http://www.juniperresearch.com/CMSModules/Newsletters/CMSPages/Redirect.ashx?linkguid=111e606a-a87e-48b0-8314-e22272e95fae&email=submitnews%40applecentral.com&hash=898d7744c1fb18e3162d64eeaff77c4d3cc1a3b3101c2b7a131d8a324f3f7a58"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Juniper Research</span></a> has found that there will be an estimated 417 million hearables in use by 2022. This includes fitness-focused devices, hearing augmentation and purely audio-focused devices such as Apple’s AirPods.</p>