Dennis Sellers

<p>The always entertaining columnist, John C. Dvorak, writes in a new column dubbed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pcmag.com/commentary/357782/apple-is-ready-to-ditch-the-mac" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Apple is Ready to Ditch the Mac”</a> that Apple is, well, ready to ditch the Mac as iOS is poised to replace macOS. However, the Sellers Research Group (that’s me) says he’s missing the big picture.</p>

<p>The AWT News Update is on hiatus while my compadre, Steve, deals with some family issues. In its place, I’ll offer a text-only (no podcast) summary of breaking stories with a tip o’ my hat to my former website, <em>Apple Daily Report</em>.</p>

<p>A HomeKit vulnerability in the current version of iOS 11.2 has been demonstrated to <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/12/07/homekit-vulnerability/"><em>9to5Mac</em></a><em> </em>that allows unauthorized control of accessories including smart locks and garage door openers<em>.</em></p>

<p>Former Gliimpse founder Anil Sethi is leaving Apple's health tech division to found a new start-up called Ciitizen. He was named director of the team in 2016.</p>

<p>When it comes to brands, Apple’s iPhones remained the dominant camera models used by the Flickr community, with 54% of the top 100 devices being named iPhone and an almost clean sweep of the top <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.flickr.net/en/2017/12/07/top-devices-of-2017/" rel="noopener noreferrer">10 Devices of 2017</a>, accounting for nine of the top 10 devices.</p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20170347885) for “detecting activity by a wheelchair user.” It’s designed to help such folks keep track of their health and fitness activities using the Apple Watch and its Workout app.</p>

<p>Apple CEO Tim Cook took the fifth spot in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.recode.net/2017/12/6/16667200/recode-100-2017" rel="noopener noreferrer">Recode 100 list</a>, which measures the publication’s choices for “the people in tech, business and media who mattered in 2017.”</p>

<p>Apple has unveiled its 2017 charts and trends, celebrating the most popular apps, music, movies, TV shows, books and podcasts across the App Store, Apple Music, iTunes, iBooks and Apple Podcasts.</p>

<p>Apple has released iTunes 12.7.2 for macOS. It’s available via the Updates tab at the Mac App Store. </p>

<p>I recently had the opportunity to try out several iPhone X cases from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.case-mate.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Case-Mate</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://silksmartish.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Silk</a>. There are simply too many to critique in detail, but here are my impressions.</p>

<p>You can not only take great photos with the iPhone X, but great videos, as well. The Apple smartphone lets you shoot high-resolution video up to 4K, with over 8 million pixels. </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>Uh, someone needs to tell Siri that John Travolta isn’t dead. If you ask Apple’s personal digital assistant Hey Siri, how old is John Travolta,” you’ll be told that “John Travolta died January 3, 2009 at age 54,” as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.newsweek.com/john-travolta-dead-siri-might-tell-you-he-739729" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Newsweek</em></a>.</p>

<p>Michelle Lee, who has served as head of development for Jason Katims’ True Jack Productions, to join Apple’s worldwide video unit as a senior creative executive, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://deadline.com/2017/12/apple-michelle-lee-creative-executive-in-worldwide-video-division-1202220954/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Deadline</em></a>. </p>

<p>Apple has released macOS High Sierra 10.13.2. Available at the Mac App Store via the Updates tab, it:</p>