Dennis Sellers

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-alphabet-speakers/amazon-google-cut-speaker-prices-in-market-share-contest-analysts-idUSKBN1ES0VV?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtechnologyNews+%28Reuters+Technology+News%29" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Reuters</em> </a>reports that Amazon and Google’s Alphabet division both discounted their virtual assistant speakers so deeply over the holiday shopping season that they likely lost a few dollars per unit, “highlighting a sharply different strategy from Apple as it prepares its HomePod speaker,” according to pundits such as Paul Erickson, a senior analyst with IHS Markit and Adam Wright, senior research analyst at IDC.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20180103000572" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Korea Herald</em></a><em> </em>reports that while Samsung will remain the sole or primary supplier of the OLED panels for the current, 5.8-inch version of the iPhone X, LG will supply panels for a bigger 6.5-inch model due this year.</p>

<p>As of Jan. 13, the UK will ban shops and stores from charging a fee for credit card and debit card transactions, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/shops-banned-charging-you-use-1001583" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Bristol Post</em></a>. This will eliminate additional fees for credit and debit transactions, including those with Apple Pay.</p>

<p>A fundamental design flaw in Intel's processor chips means Linux and Windows will need a redesign, while other operating systems such as macOS will need an update, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/01/02/intel_cpu_design_flaw/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Register</em></a>.</p>

<p>Apple will announce the results of its first fiscal quarter of 2018 after markets close on Thursday, Feb. 1. A conference call for investors and the press will be held at 2 p.m. Pacific.</p>

<p>HSD Versions Cleaner is a relatively new app for the Mac, but one worth checking out. With it you can observe and delete old files. For instance, it can help you reduce the amount of previous file versions, stored by the macOS’s Auto Save feature.</p>

<p>You can use the Disk Utility in macOS High Sierra to repair a variety of problems. Today we’ll look at how to repair the disk that started up your Mac. Here are the steps:</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>Writing for <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/maybe-its-time-for-apple-to-spin-off-the-mac-as-its-own-separate-company/" rel="noopener noreferrer">ZDNet</a>,</em> David Gewirtz says that Apple should consider spinning off the Mac into its own company. Sorry, but that’s a bad idea — and it certainly won’t happen.</p>

<p>As noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2018/01/02/trendforce-apple-samsung-2018/" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac</a>, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.trendforce.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">TrendForce research group</a> predicts that iPhone sales will increase significantly this year, while those of Samsung smartphones will fall.</p>

<p>Apple has instructed its retail store employees to offer the $29 replacement batteries to anyone who owns an iPhone 6 or newer, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://seekingalpha.com/news/3320585-apple-instructs-stores-offer-29-battery-regardless-diagnostic-test?uprof=53&dr=1#email_link" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Seeking Alpha</em></a>. The internal instructions follow reports of workers refusing the discount if a phone’s battery passed a diagnostic test. </p>

<p>According to the latest market share survey from <a target="_blank" href="http://netmarkeshare.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">NetMarketShare</a>, the market share for both macOS and iOS dipped (slightly)  last month. </p>

<p>You can use macOS Sierra High Disk Utility tool to partition a physical disk — though you should be careful when you do this. Partitioning a storage device divides it into individual partitions, which are listed as separate volumes under the Devices section in the Finder sidebar. </p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://vuo.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kosada's Vuo</a> is designed as an alternative to Apple's Quartz Composer. Aimed at media producers, VJs, interactive artists, and media-making non-programmers, it enables users to interactively create and mix audio, video, and 2D + 3D effects. </p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-potential-merger-acquisition-candidates-aapl-2017-12)" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business Insider</a> </em>— Citi analysts Jim Suva and Asiya Merchant say there’s a 40% likelihood of Apple acquiring Netflix. The tech giant will be able to repatriate about $220 billion in cash to the US under the Trump tax cut.</p>