Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple may replace Lightning ports in its 2019 iPhone line-up for USB-C ports, according to <a href="https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20180608PD215.html?mod=3&q=apple" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>DigiTimes</em></a>, quoting unnamed “sources at analog IC vendors.” Chances this rumor is true, according to the Sellers Research Group (that’s me): 90%.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Since I work with tech gadgets and help run a website (this one, of course!), some folks would describe me as a geek. Those who play ball with me and/or know I’m an avid runner would call me an athlete. I’m both; in other words I’m a “geek-alete,” and WaterField Designs offers a perfect briefcase-workout hybrid bag for folks like me in the <a href="https://www.sfbags.com/products/atlas-executive-athletic-holdall-briefcase">Atlas Executive Athletic Holdall</a>, a briefcase-workout hybrid bag. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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 style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In February Apple released macOS High Sierra 10.13.4, which added support for external graphics processors (eGPUs). Now Feral Interactive has announced that eGPUs are officially supported in <a href="http://www.feralinteractive.com/en/games/riseofthetombraider/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration</a>, the latest entry in the Lara Croft line of games.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, this is no surprise: two weeks after a California federal jury ruled that Samsung must pay Apple $539 million for infringing its smartphone patents, Samsung asked the court on Thursday to grant it judgment as a matter of law or hold a new trial, and reimburse it $145 million, reports <a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1051975/samsung-wants-539m-apple-verdict-tossed-145m-refund?nl_pk=ade0cf2b-ea3f-464b-bc93-d8e19277ac63&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Law360</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Apple Watch will be getting solid state buttons that don’t move up and down but rather sense the touch of a finger, according to <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/40583301/apple-watch-will-soon-get-touch-sensitive-solid-state-buttons" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Fast Company</em></a>, quoting “a source with direct knowledge of Apple’s plans.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180157291) for a “trimless glass enclosure interface” that hints at upcoming iPhones and iPads with even slimmer edges (or trims) that allow for bigger displays.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m a fan of Apple’s Wallet app for iOS, but not as big a fan as I could be due to its limitations. Thankfully, MicroMacro <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pass2u-wallet-cards-coupons/id1142473931?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mobile’s Pass2U Wallet </a>helps overcome those limitations.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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 style="white-space: pre-wrap;">According to <a href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/apple-music-poaches-radio-1xtra-editor-ryan-newman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Music Business Worldwide</em></a>, Apple Music has hired one of BBC Radio’s key editorial music executives in the UK: Ryan Newman, who was previously editor of 1Xtra – the BBC’s flagship hip-hop and grime radio station. In that role, he devised and implemented music strategy at the network, shaping its musical direction.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As noted by <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2018/06/08/apple-business-school-manager-us-global-launch-wwdc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>9to5Mac</em></a>, Apple announced at this week’s Worldwide Developer Conference that its Business Manager platform for enterprise users will launch globally in 34 countries starting June 20, followed by an expansion to another 31 countries this summer alongside Apple School Manager. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Another day, another lawsuit. A company called Shift is seeing Apple, claiming the tech giant rips off its logo for use with its own Siri Shortcuts, reports <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2018/06/07/apple-sued-siri-shortcuts-logo-bs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>9to5Mac</em></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has agreed to the terms and conditions of the Writers Guild of America’s current master contract — a development that the WGA says will have major implications at the next round of contract talks, reports <a href="https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/apple-signs-writers-guild-contract-programming-1202836232/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Variety</em></a>.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180153418) for “cuff design and methods.” It hints at a blood pressure management system, although I don’t actually think the tech giant will make its own.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Xwavesofht’s Focus Matrix is a smart task organizer app for macOS. Its organizational system is based on the "Eisenhower Box," a productivity strategy created by U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower.</p>