Dennis Sellers

<p>Along with the <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/1/26/ivisor-pro-is-a-fine-accessory-for-protecting-your-new-macbook-pros-screen" rel="noopener noreferrer">iVisor Pro 15</a>, Moshi’s $24.95 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.moshi.com/clearguard-keyboard-protector-for-macbook-pro-with-touch-bar" rel="noopener noreferrer">ClearGuard keyboard protector</a> is a must-have (for me, anyway) accessory for my MacBook Pro with Touch. I’m often sipping a cup of coffee while I work on <em>Apple World Today </em>articles. I’ve yet to spill it on my Mac laptop, but, since I’m a klutz, it’s always possible.</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>As the Super Bowl countdown begins, Siri is gearing up for Sunday’s Big Game. For the first time, Apple TV users can now ask Siri to tune in live to the Super Bowl just by saying, “Watch the Super Bowl." </p>

<p>Yesterday <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/01/28/apple-removes-icloud-activation-lock-status-tool-from-website" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a> reported that Apple has taken down the iCloud Activation Lock status page on its website. The tool offered a way of determining whether a used iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple Watch was stolen. There was no explanation from Apple for the move. However, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a> has apparently found one.</p>

<p>The Ministry of Defence (MoD) — the British government department responsible for implementing the defense policy set by Her Majesty's Government— could start using secured iPhone 7 handsets for its sensitive communications, according a <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/01/30/ministry-defence-may-switch-iphone-7-secure-conversations/">Telegraph report</a>.</p>

<p>Apple has released a developer beta of watchOS 3.2. It can be be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center — if you’re a registered developer, that is.</p>

<p>Apple's share of smartphone users in the U.S. will remain basically static in 2017, accounting for a 43.7% share, according to a new <a target="_blank" href="http://www.emarketer.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">eMarketer report</a>. Android, by comparison, will account for 52.2% of US smartphone usage in 2017, adds the research group.</p>

<p>Apple asked the Ninth Circuit on Friday to reconsider a published decision that revived a suit claiming that the Cupertino, California-based company monopolizes the market for iPhone apps, arguing in its petition that the panel hadn’t properly considered whether the consumer class could allege that they were directly harmed by distribution fees, according to s the legal website, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.law360.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Law360.</a></p>

<p>The Patent Trial and Appeal Board has found in an America Invents Act “between the parties" review that Apple proved a number of claims of a Core Wireless text messaging patent to be “invalid as obvious over prior art,” reports the legal website, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.law360.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Law360</a>.</p>

<p>I’m eagerly awaiting the 2017 iMac, which I think will arrive this spring (hopefully, in March). And I’d love for it to contain an audio system similar to that of the recently announced <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/xps-27-7760-aio" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dell XPS 2</a>7.</p>

<p>When you need to create HTML5 and Flash-based animations and/or interactive content you need MotionComposer from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aquafadas.com/motioncomposer/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aquafadas</a>. It's a user friendly, visual-based authoring and effects tool for macOS 10.8 and higher.</p>

<p>Apple has been removing Iranian apps which facilitate transactions for businesses or entities based in Iran, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://techrasa.com/2017/01/28/apple-removing-iranian-apps-app-store/" rel="noopener noreferrer">TechRasa</a>. Apple also recently removed DigiKala’s app from the App Store. DigiKala is the largest ecommerce startup in Iran and the Middle East.</p>

<p>As noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/01/28/apple-removes-icloud-activation-lock-status-tool-from-website" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>, Apple has taken down the iCloud Activation Lock status page on its website, which used to offer a convenient method of determining whether a used iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple Watch was stolen. There’s no explanation from Apple for the move.</p>

<p>In a message to employees obtained by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/28/14426560/tim-cook-trumps-executive-orders-apple" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Verge</em></a>, Apple CEO Tim Cook said he was concerned about Donald Trump’s executive orders limiting immigration from seven countries, and that “it is not a policy we support.” Here’s the full memo:</p>

<p>Apple is the 2017 Corporate Award Honoree at the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.asb.org/news-events/special-events/louis-braille-awards-ceremony.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">57th annual Louis Braille Awards bestowed by the Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ASB). </a></p>