Dennis Sellers

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/03/16/apple-to-host-educational-event-in-chicago-on-march-27" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a> reports that it and other news outlets have received an email from Apple inviting them to an educational event in Chicago scheduled for 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, March 27.</p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by<em> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.streetinsider.com/Analyst+Comments/Apples+%28AAPL%29+MacBook+Could+Show+Better+Growth+than+Both+iPhone+and+iPad+in+2018+-+KGI/13948891.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">StreetInsider</a></em> — KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says he’s positive on the outlook for Mac laptop shipments. In fact, he says they should see the best year-over-year growth (13%-16%) among Apple’s main product lines in 2018. </p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 20180074545) for a “capacitive touch opening display for an electronic device.” If it ever reaches fruition, it would involve a Mac laptop that opens by tapping a small touch sensor atop the screen rather than pressing a physical button.</p>

<p>Twelve South has updated its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twelvesouth.com/product/bookarc-mod-for-macbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">BookArc mod MacBook stand</a> — which works with most Mac laptops, including the MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3 —with a wood focused design inspired by mid-century modern furniture design and sporting a birch finish. The upgrade makes a classy product even classier.</p>

<p>It always irks me when Siri mispronounces a proper name. And it irks me even more when Siri mispronounces my surname. </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>The Apple App Store is no longer available in Iran, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/apple/apple-bans-iran-from-the-app-store/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bleeping Computer</em></a>. The block appears to be IP-based.</p>

<p>Logitech G, a brand of Logitech, has announced a Mac compatible addition to its family of gaming gear. The<a target="_blank" href="http://www.logitechg.com/news/G560" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Logitech G560 PC Gaming Speaker</a> is the first dedicated gaming speaker system with the company’s LIGHTSYNC, a technology that synchronizes both light and sounds to gameplay. </p>

<p>StarTech.com has released the $405 <a href="https://www.startech.com/TB3DOCK2DPPD">Thunderbolt 3 Dual-4K Docking Station with SD Card Slot</a> that provides 85W of USB power delivery, support for two 4K DisplayPort displays, a SD card slot, and six USB 3.0 ports. </p>

<p>Apple has issued a statement to the Franch language site, <em>MacGeneration</em> (as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MacRumors</em></a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/3/14/france-to-take-legal-action-against-apple-google-for-abusive-commercial-practices?rq=Bruno%20Le%20Maire%20" rel="noopener noreferrer">denying allegations</a> made by Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire (pictured) that it and Alphabet’s Google are guilty of “abusive commercial practices."</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ikmultimedia.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">IK Multimedia</a> has released the Total Studio 2 MAX bundle, a studio collection of software instruments and FX. It brings together 94 products in one single suite for macOS and Windows systems.</p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180074694) for a “keyless keyboard with force sensing and haptic feedback” that hints at Mac laptops with virtual keyboards instead of physical ones. In other words, the portable would sport two screens instead of one — with one display doubling as a keyboard.</p>

<p>The European Commission antitrust regulators will <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-shazam-m-a-apple-eu/eu-antitrust-regulators-to-decide-on-apple-shazam-deal-by-april-23-idUSKCN1GR1C4">decide by April 23</a> whether to approve Apple’s acquisition of Shazam. The tech giant filed for approval Wednesday. </p>

<p>David Smith, the developer behind the <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pedometer++/id712286167?mt=8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pedometer++ app</a> for iOS and watchOS, has posted data dubbed “<a target="_blank" href="https://david-smith.org/blog/2018/03/14/apple-watch-series-3-adoption/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Watch Adoption</a>," which the adoption rate of the smartwatch from Aug. 1, 2017 (a month before the debut of the Apple Watch Series 3) to March 14, 2018. </p>

<p>Apple has posted a <a target="_blank" href="//www.apple.com/families/" rel="noopener noreferrer">new webpage dubbed “Families,”</a> which promotes the kid friendliness of its products. </p>