Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple's new MacBook Pros have gotten some negative feedback (see my review on Monday), but their hardware upgrades and new Touch Bar are expected to make them hot sellers. In fact, with the shipment growth, Apple is expected to return as the fourth largest vendor worldwide in the fourth quarter, according to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20161121PD204.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes Research Group</a>.</p>

<p>Apple will open a new Parisian store on Dec. 3, marking its third in the heart of the city, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/11/22/apple-to-open-third-parisian-store-on-dec-3" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider.</a> It will be located at <a href="http://www.apple.com/fr/retail/marchesaintgermain/">Marché Saint-Germain</a>, deep into downtown Paris and not far from major landmarks like the Pantheon and Notre-Dame Cathedral, the article adds.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/11/18/maybe-its-time-for-apple-to-bring-back-the-mac-clone-programs-at-least-for-desktops" rel="noopener noreferrer">It’s been suggested</a> that Apple needs to bring back the Mac clone program or else show its personal computer line some serious love. Here’s another good idea:</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.macsales.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">OWC</a> has introduced 10, 20, 30, and 40TB SSD models of its ThunderBay 4 mini RAID. The new high-capacity SSD configurations are powered by a SoftRAID engine, which delivers disk-health monitoring, RAID rebuilds, and transfer speeds up to 1,314MB/s via a Thunderbolt 2 connection.</p>

<p>Macubes has introduced <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gridsutra.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gridsutra 1.0</a> for macOS. It’s a $2.99 tool that allows you to work in different windows at the same time. Gridsutra re-sizes and arranges windows using multiple layout options that can be predefined by users.</p>

<p>Protectstar has released Data Shredder for iOS 2017. By connecting their iPhone or iPad to any Mac and running the tool, you can delete and overwrite all used space on your iDevice, ensuring all personal data, including passwords, videos, photos, and more can never be recovered. </p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,504,170) for “flexible display devices” that hints at future “foldable” iPhones — and perhaps iPads, as well. In the patent filing, the company says that “it would be desirable to use flexible display technology to provide improved electronic devices.”</p>

<p>AT&T’s DirecTV has been added to the list of single sign-on compatible services for tvOS and iOS. As noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a>, the addition of its 20 million U.S. subscribers makes it the biggest provider to support the feature so far, displacing Dish Network and Sling TV. </p>

<p>Apple has posted a Holiday Gifts <a href="http://www.apple.com/shop/gifts/one-day-shopping-event">webpage</a> that advertises a "shopping event" scheduled for Friday, Nov. 25. Known as Black Friday and the start of the holiday season, the date traditionally sees retailers slash prices.</p>

<p>The holiday season is fast approaching, and I’m awaiting my Apple TV with 4K support. Sadly, it doesn’t seem like I’ll find one under my Christmas tree.</p>

<p>Apple has posted a new Apple Music ad that continues its "distractingly good" campaign. The ad stars Drake, an artist who has developed a good relationship with Apple and its music service.  Apple has also shared a new TV ad called "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFPcsYGriEs">Frankie's Holiday</a>" in time for the holiday season, accompanied with the tagline "open your heart to everyone." </p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twelvesouth.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twelve South</a> has released the $119.99 HiRise Duet, a charging stand that powers your iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time. Made from metal and accented with Napa leather, this streamlined stand includes an integrated Lightning Connector and Watch Charging Disk. </p>

<p><a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatech.com&esheet=51464006&newsitemid=20161121005359&lan=en-US&anchor=USA+Technologies%2C+Inc.&index=1&md5=b9f2584f44a753d30bde5435aa17d501">USA Technologies, Inc.</a>, a payment technology provider of cashless and mobile transactions in self-serve retail, has announced the results of a six-month study testing targeted point-of-sale advertising of Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payment service.</p>

<p>Apple seems to have begun <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/11/8/apple-begins-selling-refurbished-iphones-at-its-us-online-store?rq=refurbished%20iPhones" rel="noopener noreferrer">selling refurbished iPhones</a> from its U.S. online store just in time. The refurbished phones are available at the company’s Certified Refurbished site along with Macs, iPads, and iPods. </p>

<p>Apple is issuing Apple Watch owners an Activity Challenge for Thanksgiving, Nov. 24. The challenge: run or walk 5K (3.1 miles) on Turkey Day using Apple’s Workout app or any third-party app that integrates workouts with HealthKit.</p>