Dennis Sellers

<p>Tech companies claimed the top five spots in the U.S. for research and development spending again last year, investing a combined total of $76 billion. Amazon was at the top of the list, spending $22.6 billion in 2017, 41% more than in 2016, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.recode.net/2018/4/9/17204004/amazon-research-development-rd" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Recode</em></a>.</p>

<p>Graphics Fuzz,  a start-up working on graphics processing unit (GPU) reliability, says its test results so far show that the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus seem less reliable the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7. They say there are more rendering issues on the newer Apple devices than the older one.</p>

<p>Apple’s Final Cut Pro X 10.4.1, Motion 5.4.1., and Compressor 4.4.1 are now available at the Mac App Store for $299.99, $49.99, and $49.99, respectively, for new users. They’re free upgrades for current users. <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/4/5/final-cut-pro-x-1041-introduces-prores-raw-and-advanced-closed-captioning?rq=Final%20Cut%20Pro%20X%2010.4.1)" rel="noopener noreferrer">Announced last week </a>the upgrades add support for Apple’s ProRes RAW format and advanced closed captioning tools.</p>

<p>Apple will probably face sanctions from the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), Korean’s antitrust watchdog over dumping its advertising and repair costs to local telecom operators, reports the <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180408000154" rel="noopener noreferrer">Korean Herald</a></em>, quoting unnamed industry sources.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Cmh0_ZRDIoQoU-A5YSyBGvOtark5JTA7-HlbC_sjO0xLj1mwJdzDITI_kmT16QUH" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jamf</a>, which specializes in Apple ecosystem management, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=T4GU5A1N5KhmOCd3JeEO6eLZ33nFT8L_DbtPWusTZaXBHhdhKLubbMm6LGYOe71KxwSWiVd_h68mXoK224AYKWFoQcR9u7JSFERqRfrmbgA=" rel="noopener noreferrer">Maryville University</a> have announced that Maryville has proven success in delivering their students an elevated learning experience with Apple technology, managed by Jamf. The university gives an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil to every incoming, fulltime student at no charge. Maryville University President Mark Lombardi said it’s what’s necessary in today’s competitive, modern world. </p>

<p>Apple has announced iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition, the new generation of iPhone in a red finish. </p>

<p>I understand Apple’s implementation of a single Lightning port design on the iPhone. However, if you want to charge the smartphone and listen to music with wired headphones at the same time, you’ll have to buy a separate, bulky splitter. </p>

<p>A press release from Apple display supplier LG in 2015 said that Apple would release an 8K iMac later that year. Didn’t happen and probably won’t happen this year. But by 2020, it’s a possibility.</p>

<p>With Reading Lists in iOS 11, you can save webpages for later and read ‘em whenever you want — even if you don't have an Internet connection. Here’s how:Open a webpage in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. </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>New data from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.semrush.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">SEMRush</a> — as noted by <em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.computerworld.com/article/3268022/apple-ios/apple-s-siri-homepod-and-the-voice-assistant-showdown.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Computerworld</a></em> —shows that Apple’s Siri is now the most searched intelligent personal assistant, both globally and in the U.S. It also shows the sort of questions people are asking about all the assistants.</p>

<p>Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited the headquarters of Apple in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley Friday, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2018/04/07/Saudi-Crown-Prince-discusses-joint-projects-with-Apple-s-Tim-Cook-.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Al Arabiya</em></a>.</p>

<p>Apple CEO Tim Cook has responded to criticism that Apple offers  the NRATV channel available for download on an Apple TV. It’s the TV channel of the National Rifle Association.</p>

<p>Another day, another lawsuit. As noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/04/06/lawsuit-claims-apple-cribbed-apple-watch-heart-rate-monitor-technology-from-startup-omni-medsci" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a>, Omni MedSci, a health technology startup, is suing Apple, alleging the tech giant incorporated infringing technology in its Apple Watch heart rate sensor.</p>

<p>Apple has hired Jon McCormack — who has worked at HP, Google, HP, and Amazon — as a vice president working on software, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-06/apple-hires-former-amazon-devices-cto-for-software-role" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a>.</p>