Dennis Sellers

<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>

<p>Apple Pay, launched in the U.S. in the fall of 2014, has now spread to over a dozen countries, according to the "Apple Pay Profile 2017” report from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Research and Markets. </a></p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-8-features-facial-recognition-laser-sensor-2017-1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business Insider</a> -- Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri said that the “iPhone 8” could include "some form of facial/gesture recognition.”</p>

<p>FileMaker has released the "2017 FileMaker State of the Custom App Report," which examines how citizen developers are creating custom apps to solve real business challenges and increase job satisfaction. The global report is based on surveys of hundreds of citizen developers across North America, Japan and Europe.</p>

<p>Satechi has released its USB-C Power Meter, which allows users to measure the volts, amps, and mAh output from their accessories to ensure they are safe, effective and compatible with their new Type-C laptops, tablets and smartphones such as the 12-inch MacBook and 2016 MacBook Pros.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.editorskeys.com/">Editors Keys</a> has launched shortcut keyboard covers for the Apple MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. The new keyboard covers protect the laptop from dust and liquid spills, in addition to offering over 150 shortcuts for programs such as Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of programs.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">Kanex’s $99.95 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kanex.com/gopowerwatch#" rel="noopener noreferrer">GoPower Watch</a> is a portable, cordless charging solution for the Apple Watch. The key words are “portable” and “cordless.”</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>Promise Technology has unveiled the latest version of its Apollo Cloud personal cloud storage appliance: the <a target="_blank" href="http://promise.com/Products/Apollo" rel="noopener noreferrer">2TB Apollo Cloud</a>, which has an entry level price of $199. Building on the popularity of the original version, it comes with an app and is designed for on-the-go consumers who need simple, fast, secure access to their content. </p>

<p>Apple’s Swift is among the fastest-growing skills in the U.S. freelance job market, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.upwork.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Upwork</a>, the world’s largest freelancing website. Apple’s programming language placed second on a chart of the 20 fastest-growing skills during the December quarter.</p>

<p>Apple has released public betas of macOS 10.12.4 and iOS 10.3. If you're not already signed up for the public beta program, <a href="https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/">you can do so here</a>. The public beta program is free, but remember: beta software is unfinished software so use with care.</p>

<p>According to the latest research from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.counterpointresearch.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Counterpoint’s Market Monitor service</a>, the smartphone shipments in India grew 18% annually in 2016 compared to the global smartphone market which grew 3%.     Apple achieved a landmark with the iPhone, crossing 2.5 million units in a calendar year, with one-third of its total shipment coming alone from the record fourth quarter driven by seasonality and the launch of iPhone 7.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 20170026796) for “identifying and locating users on a mobile network.” It involves the iOS app/service, Find My Friends.</p>