Dennis Sellers

<p>At this summer’s Worldwide Developer Conference, <a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/10/podcasts-in-ios-11-interface-updates-seasons-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple announced</a> the upcoming Podcast Analytics tool. And it’s finally here, at least in beta form.</p>

<p>Apple has released first public betas of iOS 11.2.5 and tvOS 11.2.5. The public betas are available on <a target="_blank" href="https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple's Beta Software Program website</a>. Just remember that beta software, so proceed with care.</p>

<p>Amazon is bringing back the Apple TV and Google Chromecast, two video-streaming devices that it removed from its online store two years ago as they compete against its own Fire TV gadgets.</p>

<p>Apple is offering a $5 App Store/iTunes gift card when you use Apple Pay to buy items as select retailers now through Dec. 21. You can find a complete list of participating companies by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/apple-pay/holiday/" rel="noopener noreferrer">clicking here.</a></p>

<p>Apple has updated Logic Pro X, its pro audio production software, to version 10.3.3. It optimizes performance for the new iMac Pro — up to 36 cores.</p>

<p>Traffic sent to and from Apple, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft was briefly routed through a previously unknown Russian Internet provider yesterday under circumstances that researchers said was “suspicious and intentional,” reports <a target="_blank" href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/12/suspicious-event-routes-traffic-for-big-name-sites-through-russia/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>arstechnica</em>.</a></p>

<p>Why does Apple hate the adjective “the”? I notice in the press release for the iMac Pro, it’s referred to as “the iMac Pro,” but just "iMac Pro" as in “Apple today released iMac Pro.”</p>

<p>Apple has announced a major update to its professional video editing app, <a href="https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/">Final Cut Pro X</a>, with new features including 360-degree VR video editing, advanced color grading tools and support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video. </p>

<p>You won’t be seeing an iMac Pro under your Christmas tree. But order one today, and Apple says you’ll receive it by Dec. 27.</p>

<p>Two newly filed patent applications by Apple show that the tech giant is looking into more ways to beef up the fitness and health features of the Apple Watch.</p>

<p>iOS 11 introduced a new indoor mapping feature that offers walking directions through a variety of different airports and malls. Now Apple has compiled a list of the 43 indoor locations where users can take advantage of the feature. </p>

<p>In discussing <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/12/13/apple-awards-finisar-390-million-from-its-advanced-manufacturing-fund" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple’s $390 million investment</a> in Finisar, a manufacturer of optical communications components, Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/13/apple-coo-jeff-williams-we-could-invest-more-than-1-billion-in-us.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>CNBC</em></a> that the $1 billion allotted for the Advanced Manufacturing Fund is "absolutely not" a final threshold.</p>

<p>It’s easy to use Safari in macOS High Sierra and iCloud Keychains to keep your credit card data in sync between your Mac and iOS devices. And it’s easy to add a credit card:</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://shop.audified.com/products/intone-2" rel="noopener noreferrer">Audiffex's inTone2</a> is a multifaceted multichannel effects processor, software mixing console, virtual instruments host, and flexible multitrack zonal player for macOS 10.8 or higher.</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>