Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 20180019081) for “keyboard backlighting with reduced driver circuitry” that hints at upcoming Mac keyboards with enhanced backlighting.</p>

<p>I have a fond spot in my heart for the Crash Bandicoot platform/running games from my PlayStation days. That fondness probably affects my feelings for the new Ostrich Island for the Mac, which is available for $4.99 at <a target="_blank" href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/337270/Ostrich_Island/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stream</a>. </p>

<p>If you’ve set up your tabs in macOS High Sierra, it’s easy to find the items you’ve tagged. Click the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window and do any of the following:</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>Apple and Samsung are under investigation by Italy’s antitrust organization for alleged “planned obsolescence” of their products.</p>

<p>Apple told <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MacRumors</em></a> that a fix for the “chaiOS” bug is coming in a software update (or two) next week. Look for the solutions to come in iOS 11.2.5 and perhaps macOS High Sierra 10.13.3.</p>

<p>Ireland’s Public Accounts Committee will begin collecting €13 billion (about $14.5 billion) from Apple in March, with payments expected to continue through September, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rte.ie/news/2018/0118/934185-apple-tax/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>RTÉ</em></a>.</p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180019371) for “Quantum dot spacing for high efficiency displays,” which promises quantum dot pixel displays on all its devices. The displays would offer “pure color,” provide a faster response time, and use less energy. And, eventually, they’ll come to the Mac.</p>

<p>Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and other companies are urging the Trump administration to preserve a program that allows the spouses of some high-skilled immigrants to work in the U.S., reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.recode.net/2018/1/18/16902722/tech-high-skilled-immigration-spouses-h4-visa" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Recode</em></a>.</p>

<p>Apple plans <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/17/ios-update-will-let-users-decide-to-slow-down-older-iphones-or-not.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">to release</a> a software update to iOS that will allow users to control whether or not their iPhones are automatically slowed down. he update will let users turn off the option at the risk that the phone might automatically restart due to an aging battery.</p>

<p>Apple has agreed to lease a 128,000 square-foot building in Culver City, California, according to <em><a target="_blank" href="https://therealdeal.com/la/2018/01/16/apple-snags-another-128k-sf-in-culver-city-sources/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Real Deal</a></em>. Terms haven’t been disclosed.</p>

<p>It’s been a cold, snowy, winter here in Nashville, Tennessee — and we still have a couple of months to go!. There’s always a chance that, if my neck of the woods ices over, the power will go out. If that happens, I’ll pack my 27-inch iMac 5K in my LaVolta Carry Case, head to a place where there’s working electricity, and carry on with my chores for <em>AppleWorld Today</em> (you’re welcome).</p>

<p>You can tag files and folders in macOS High Sierra to make them easier to find. Tags work with all your files and folders, whether you store them on your Mac or keep them in iCloud.</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>The AWT News Update is on a one-day hiatus while my compadre, Steve, takes care of some personal busines. 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>