Dennis Sellers

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180225662) for “document importation into  secure element” that would allow you to use your iPhone in lieu of a traditional paper passport.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Verizon and Apple have announced an exclusive partnership, the first step of which brings Apple Music to Verizon’s wireless customers. Beginning Aug. 16, Verizon Unlimited customers can sign up for a special offer of six months of Apple Music free.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, at the end of each week day, we’ll offer this wrap-up of news items you should check out.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sonnet Technologies has announced the Echo 11 Thunderbolt 3 Dock, the company's latest product in its line of Thunderbolt 3 expansion products. Compatible with both Mac and Windows systems, the slim desktop dock connects a user's multiple peripheral devices and links them to their computers through the included Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At one point I thought that the perfect combination of Apple computing gear was a 5K iMac for most of my work and a 12.9-inch iPad Pro as my “back-up” Mac and laptop replacement for the few times I’m traveling. And, indeed, this does work most of the time, at least for me. But for a lot of folks the best set-up could easily be a new 15-inch MacBook Pro coupled with a 27-inch LG Ultrafine 5K display.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Imagine an iMac or a new Apple display with a base that provides inductive power charging for an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or AirPods. In other words, a Mac desktop with a built-in <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/6/21/apples-airpower-will-reportedly-debut-in-september-alongside-new-iphones?rq=AirPower" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AirPower.</a> Of course, the long-promised wireless charging pad has yet to see the light of day, but still….</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, at the end of each week day, we’ll offer this wrap-up of news items you should check out.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple has scooped up the rights to create a new TV series based on Min Jin Lee's bestselling 2017 novel "Pachinko," according to <a href="https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/pachinko-min-jin-lee-apple-series-1202897821/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Variety</em></a>. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple is taking a small step to make it easier for enterprises to move from Windows systems to Macs. As noted by <a href="https://www.computerworld.com/article/3295858/apple-mac/apple-really-wants-your-next-pc-to-be-a-mac-and-the-timings-right.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Computerworld</em></a>, the challenge for Windows users upgrading to Macs has been in bringing all the data across to the new system. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Fantom Drives has announced the new G-Force 3.1 external flash storage suite for use with throughput intensive video and creative applications. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">WaterField Designs has introduced the <a href="https://www.sfbags.com/products/tech-folio-gear-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tech Folio</a>, a premium case to organize electronic accessories and a 10.5-inch iPad or similarly-sized tablet. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Current iMacs have really good speakers, but they could be better. A newly granted Apple patent (number 10,045,461) hints that the company is working on this by including built-in subwoofers with air cooling. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Logitech has announced the $69.99 <a href="http://www.logitech.com/news/powered/stand" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Logitech POWERED Wireless Charging Stand</a>. Designed in collaboration with Apple, it’s a wireless charging stand for use with the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X that allows you to charge and use your smartphone simultaneously.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After comparing five different mobile payment platforms, <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/digital-payments/mobile-p2p-payment-services-review/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Consumer Reports</em></a><em> </em>says Apple Pay Cash is the best person-to-person payments service. It compared Apple’s service to others, weighing security, privacy, support, and more.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The ability to make requests on a HomePod via the “Hey, Siri” command can be very useful. However, it can also be irritating.</p>