Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kwilt<strong> </strong>has launched the Kwilt2 ($79) and Kwilt3 ($149), two platform-agnostic devices that turn any USB memory key or external drive into a personal cloud at home where you can offload photos and videos from smartphones, cameras and other devices and access their content whenever you wish. They work with macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android OS.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 10,158,191) designed to make its iPhones and iPads even more water resistant, perhaps even waterproof, by providing a “vacuum sealed connector” for Lightning, USB-C ports, and other ports.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has rolled out a new <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/books-toolbox/en-us?" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Books Marketing Toolbox</a> for members of its Affiliate Program. The company says the new marketing toolbox includes a variety of marketing assets to make it easier for affiliates to earn commission, as we as a new audiobooks widget.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Williamson County, Texas, leaders have unanimously (5-0) approved a taxpayer-funded incentive package for Apple that could be worth up to $16 million, solidifying the tech giant’s plan to invest $1 billion in a new campus in North Austin and add up to 5,000 jobs, reports the <a href="https://www.statesman.com/news/20181218/williamson-county-approves-16-million-incentive-package-for-apple" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Austin Statesman</em></a>. The company is also in line to get up to $25 million in incentives payments from the state-run Texas Enterprise Fund, the article adds.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Macally has launched a new <a href="https://us.macally.com/products/btsolarkeysg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">solar powered wireless keyboard series </a>with built-in solar panels that constantly charge the internal lithium-ion battery under indoor or outdoor light.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Satechi has released the <a href="https://satechi.net/products/aluminum-imac-stand" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub</span></a> for the iMac and iMac Pro. It features seven built-in ports and an ergonomic design designed to enhance and maximize desk space, while providing convenient access to peripheral devices.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple is teaming up with Nike for an Apple Pay promo. You can get a $20 promo code from the sports company when you spend $100 or more in the Nike app.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 10,156,029) for a “fabric control device.” It hints that the company has looked into “smart” clothing that could include touch sensors and the ability to control other Apple devices.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple wants to make its Apple Watch more useful for the blind. It’s filed for a patent (number 10,156,904) for “wrist-based tactile time feedback for non-sighted users.”</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Having trouble moving next on your iPad. Try the two-finger method.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>Deadline</em> (<a href="https://deadline.com/2018/12/justin-lin-overall-deal-apple-1202521419/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">https://deadline.com/2018/12/justin-lin-overall-deal-apple-1202521419/</span></a>) reports that has signed producer/director Justin Lin <em>(Fast & Furious</em> franchise, <em>Star Trek: Beyond</em>) and his Perfect Storm Entertainment to an exclusive, multi-year overall TV deal. Moving to the tech giant from Sony, he’ll develop, produce and direct television series “with a global perspective,” the article adds.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The lead attorney for the group of Apple device assemblers seeking at least $9 billion in damages from Qualcomm said <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-qualcomm/foxconn-not-in-settlement-talks-with-qualcomm-in-apple-battle-attorney-idUSKBN1OG0AW" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the contract manufacturers are not in settlement talks</a> with the mobile chip supplier and are “gearing up and heading toward the trial” in April.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has released iOS 12.1.2. According to the company’s notes, the update fixes bugs with eSIM activation for the iPhone Xr, iPhone Xs, and iPhone Xs Max.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A lawsuit blaming Apple’s FaceTime for a child's death in a car crash, has been dismissed by a U.S. appeals court in California, reports the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-46593100" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>BBC</em></a>. FaceTime is a videoconferencing app that Apple includes with its iOS and Mac devices. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has launched <a href="https://finance-app.itunes.apple.com/connecting-client?targetUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffinance-app.itunes.apple.com%2Faccount%2Fadd-funds%3Fprevpage%3Daccountsettings%26ls%3D1%26app%3Ditunes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a new promotion</a> that offers U.S. customers a 10% bonus when they add funds to their Apple ID account in the U.S.</p>