Dennis Sellers

<p>When you test drive as many products as I do, it’s hard to run across earphones that stand out from the pack. However, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.Pioneerrayz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rays Plus </a>from Pioneer Home Entertainment U.S.A do just that.</p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20170206873) for “dynamic music authoring.” Most likely involving future versions of GarageBand on macOS and iOS devices, the goal is to provide software that “allows users to create music at home.”</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 is is looking for full-time employees to work from home to provide customers with support for Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, Apple TVs and more, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/career/news/a45187/apple-is-hiring-work-from-home-positions/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Good Housekeeping</a>.</p>

<p>The State Farm insurance company has filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging a defective iPhone 4S caused a house fire in Wisconsin in 2016, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/07/20/state-farm-sues-apple-over-house-fire-allegedly-caused-by-defective-iphone" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>. State Farm's suit names Xai Thao as a co-complainant who suffered more than $75,000 in damages related to the fire. </p>

<p>The AWT News Update is on a brief hiatus. In its place, I’ll offer a text-only (no podcast) summary of breaking stories with a tip o’ my hat to my former website, <em>Apple Daily Report</em>.</p>

<p>Apple has updated <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/clips/id1212699939?mt=8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clips</a>, its app that allows iPhone and iPad users to create “expressive videos.” It lets you combine video clips, photos and music into videos to share with friends through the Messages app, or on Instagram, Facebook and other social networks.</p>

<p>Apple is secretly working with Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), a Chinese battery manufacturer on automotive battery research and development, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/apple-secretly-pursues-automotive-battery-rd-china-may-become-carmaker" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Yicai Global</em></a>, a Shanghai-based news group. </p>

<p>Apple takes the top spot in global profits (again), according to Fortune's annual ranking of U.S. companies shaping the world.</p>

<p>FxFactory has released a new Final Cut Pro X plugin called <a target="_blank" href="https://fxfactory.com/info/xeffects3dvideowalls/" rel="noopener noreferrer">XEffects 3D Video Walls</a>. Developed by partner Idustrial Revolution, it allows the user to add moving video or still images to video walls in 3D space. </p>

<p>Half8Fish has introduced Videux, an organizer, player, and workflow assistant for macOS. It’s designed for use with video collections.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 20170205873)  for a “scanning depth engine.” If the invention ever comes to fruition, a Mac could generate a 3D profile of an object by processing an optical image of the object.</p>

<p>The amount of cash held by US non-financial companies totaled $1.84 trillion at the end of 2016, up 9.2% from $1.68 trillion at the end of 2015, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.moodys.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moody's Investors Service</a> says in a new report. The top-five cash hoarders all come from the technology sector, with Apple holding a record high of $246.1 billion.</p>

<p>Regulators have cleared Apple’s Oregon wind power project to use the biggest turbines ever deployed in the Pacific Northwest, reports the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/07/18/apple-s-oregon-wind-farm-cleared-for-super-sized.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Portland Business Journal</a>.</p>

<p>Coolatoola's <a target="_blank" href="http://coolatoola.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shairwaves</a> is an HD audio device sharing app that provides the ability for Macs to share their connected audio devices. Just as printers and screens can be shared, so now audio devices can be shared as well. Although it's similar to Apple's AirPlay, Shairwaves doesn't use AirPlay's protocols.</p>