Dennis Sellers

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/e27e4f4a-08be-11e7-97d1-5e720a26771b" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Financial Times reports</a> that Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service has ruled that Apple had illegally ordered retailers to fix prices of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 models. The Cupertino, California-based company purportedly instructed 16 retailers in Russia to set the prices at a certain amount and if a retailer was found to be selling the iPhone at an “unsuitable” price, Apple would contact them and order them to change the price or risk having the sales agreement terminated.</p>

<p>In a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zdziarski.com/blog/?p=7016" rel="noopener noreferrer">blog post</a>, security researcher Jonathan Zdziarski says he has accepted a position with Apple's Security Engineering and Architecture team. He joins Ivan Krstić on the team.</p>

<p>Security researchers at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cybersixgill.com/proton-a-new-mac-os-rat/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sixgill</a> say they’ve encountered a post in one of the leading, closed Russian cybercrime message boards. The author of the thread announced a RAT [remote access trojan] dubbed Proton, intended for installation exclusively on Macs.</p>

<p>Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Cisco have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scribd.com/document/341774005/Amicus-Brief-ISO-Google" rel="noopener noreferrer">filed an amicus brief</a> in support of Google, after a Pennsylvania court ruled that the company had to hand over emails stored overseas in response to an FBI warrant.</p>

<p>Let the <strong>iGlasses </strong>rumors revive. Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,595,237) for a “head-mounted display apparatus for retaining a portable electronic device with display.” It’s for a headset that allows an iPhone to be mounted on it.</p>

<p>Wow. That’s gotta hurt. Apple has revamped its <a target="_blank" href="http://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/" rel="noopener noreferrer">webpage of HomeKit-compatible products</a> to include status updates on upcoming products, but there’s no mention of Withings products such as its Blood Pressure Monitor, Smart Body Analyzer, and Blood Pressure Monitor. </p>

<p>Hmmm. My <em>AWT</em> compadre, Steve Sande, may be right <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/3/7/rumor-apple-ipad-event-to-be-held-on-april-4-2017-at-apple-park?rq=April%204" rel="noopener noreferrer">with his prediction</a> of an April 4 “special event” at the new Apple Park campus (pictured). <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20170313PD208.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes</a> is echoing Steve’s forecast, adding that a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro will be unveiled at such an occasion.</p>

<p>The Exposé feature of macOS Sierra lets you easily navigate through your window clutter by highlighting certain windows, giving you an overview of all open windows or clearing everything away.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id473001837?mt=8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Red Clock</a> is a simply designed desk clock app. It is more accurately an all-in-one alarm clock and weather app. You have access to settings for over a dozen themes. The $1.99 app can viewed in either portrait or landscape. It has an "Info Bar" along the bottom that allows you to finely tailor any of your settings.</p>

<p>Health data collected entirely from smartphones can be reliable, research from Mount Sinai Hospital claims. The researchers involved found — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/13/14908402/apple-researchkit-health-asthma-study-app-data-smartphone" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Verge</a> -- that Apple’s ResearchKit platform and an app for asthma were fairly accurate when compared to existing patient studies.</p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/03/13/despite-china-weakness-apples-aspirational-brand-remains-strong-globally----report" rel="noopener noreferrer">by AppleInsider</a> — UBS analyst Steven Milunovich says that the premium smartphone market returned to growth in the December quarter at up 8% with Apple outgrowing the market with a 19% growth. </p>

<p>Apple is expected to announce new products later this month, most likely between Monday, March 20 and Friday, March 24, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://MacRumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors.com</a>, quoting “reputable supply chain analysts … who wish to remain anonymous.”</p>

<p>Apple may or may not be working on an “Apple Car,” but Intel is interested in such technology. The company has announced a $15.3 billion acquisition of Israeli automotive technology company Mobileye N.V.</p>

<p>In the wake of recent news that Apple has joined the Wireless Power Consortium — and rumors that the “iPhone 8” will support wireless charging — wireless power company, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.powermat.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Powermat</a>, says it will be ready to support iPhones with “whateverwireless charging protocol Apple employs.”</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>