Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple is exploring the possibility of getting into the original programming business, claims <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/onwe4yf" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Variety</em></a>.  It's certainly  an idea that’s worth mulling over.</p>

<p>Apple continues to beef up its enterprise presence. The Cupertino, California-based company and Cisco are teaming up to create a "fast lane" for iOS business users by optimizing Cisco networks for iOS devices and apps, integrating the iPhone with Cisco enterprise environments and providing collaboration on iPhones and iPads. iOS devices will communication using Cisco's networking hardware, which is ubiquitous at several enterprises and institutions.</p>

<p>The smart money says a next generation Apple TV will be announced at Apple's <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/nw8ftcq" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sept. 9 media event</a>. In a <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/op62rl8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Seeking Alpha article</a>, Alcaraz Research says it could rival the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.</p>

<p>Flixel Photos's Cinemagraph Pro for Mac OS X 10.9 and higher is a fun, "living photo" creation software that lets you create Cinemagraph images. However, you'll have to do some preparation before you begin using the software.</p>

<p>Apple has approached Siliconware Precision Industries Co Ltd (SPIL) about becoming a supplier of system-in-package (SiP) technology for the Apple Watch and for fingerprint recognition chips, an online media source based in Taiwan, according to <em>United Daily News</em>, an online media source base din Taiwan.</p>

<p>Apple will almost certainly announce the next generation iPhone at its <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/nw8ftcq" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sept. 9 media event</a>. However, China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom will start selling the "iPhone 6s" on Sept. 25 and pre-sales will begin on Sept. 18, according to the <em>Leaksfly </em>microblog (as noted by <em>BrightWire.com</em>, a global investment newswire).</p>

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">A <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/p5fvsds" rel="noopener noreferrer">study by StellaService</a>, which measures online customer service, indicates a decline in Apple's customer service in recent months.</p>

<p>Secretary of Defense Ash Carter <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/nwcb9wq" rel="noopener noreferrer">has announced</a> that the Obama administration has awarded a Manufacturing Innovation Institute for Flexible Hybrid Electronics to a consortium of 162 companies (including Apple), universities, and non-profits led by <a target="_blank" href="http://flextech.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">the FlexTech Alliance</a> as part of the Department of Defense effort to partner with the private sector and academia "to ensure the United States continues to lead in the new frontiers of manufacturing."</p>

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">A <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/plg3bgl" rel="noopener noreferrer">Seeking Alpha</a> article by "Electric Phred" says there's a good chance we'll see the rumored Apple Car at Apple's <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/nw8ftcq" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sept. 9 media event</a>. However, if I were a betting man, I'd bet against it.</p>

<p>I'm definitely expecting the next generation Apple TV to be announced at <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/nw8ftcq" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple's Sept. 9 media event</a>. I'll be disappointed if it lacks 4K support. In fact, I have a suggestion for Apple for future Apple TVs, Macs and iOS devices: add support for the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.vidity.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">VIDITY platform</a>.</p>

<p>It's official. Apple will hold a media event on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 10 am (Pacific), at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. The media invitation came with the teaser: "Hey Siri, give us a hint." I've stared into my crystal ball to see what we can expect.</p>

<p>Apple is teaming up with <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/nrjbmjo" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Bancard's PayAnywhere</a> to introduce a new version of its PayAnywhere Mobile credit card reader, which will be ready for Apple Pay. The NFC card reader will beavailable exclusively in U.S. Apple Stores and at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.apple.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple's online store</a> next month.</p>

<p>Sony and Panasonic's <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/pmssrz8" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Archival Disc," </a>which is described as "a new standard for professional-use, next-generation optical discs, are due in the second half of the year. The objective is to "expand the market for long-term digital data storage." Will Apple support it?</p>

<p>In its first appearance in the wearables market, Apple finds itself within striking distance of the established market leader, Fitbit. According to the International Data Corporation, Apple shipped a total of 3.6 million units in the second quarter of 2015 (2Q15), just 0.8 million units behind Fitbit's 4.4 million units. Total shipment volume for the quarter came to 18.1 million units, up 223.2% from the 5.6 million units shipped in 2Q14.</p>

<p>Cell phone shipments in Japan fell 1.9% year-over-year to 7.23 million units in the second quarter of 2015 (April to June), according to a study by IDC Japan. However, Apple remains the top seller of phones in the country.</p>