Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple’s MacBook shipments in the second quarter were up 30.3% versus the first quarter, placing the brand on the fifth spot of the half-year ranking, according to global research firm <a href="http://www.trendforce.com/">TrendForce</a>. This shipment surge was generated by the release of an upgraded 12-inch model of the latest MacBook. </p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.deviceatlas.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">DeviceAtlas</a>, a supplier of intelligence on mobile devices, has released its <em>Mobile Web Intelligence Report</em> for the second quarter of 2016. The report, which analyzes mobile device traffic to “hundreds of thousands of websites around the world,” claims that Apple is losing “browsing market share.”</p>

<p>There’s great potential for Apple’s HomeKit technology. A new survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate and Parks Associates found that Americans are thinking differently about "move-in ready" homes; they now want it to be "smart ready" too.</p>

<p>Apple is preparing “the first significant overhaul” of its MacBook Pro laptop line in over four years, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-10/apple-said-to-plan-first-pro-laptop-overhaul-in-four-years" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloomberg</a>, quoting unnamed “people familiar with the matter.”</p>

<p>Apple has launched a “blistering attack” on three of Australia's big banks, saying their request to collectively negotiate over digital wallet access to the iPhone will compromise the handset's security, reduce innovation and blunt Apple's entry into the payments market in Australia, according to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.afr.com/technology/apple-says-australias-banks-pose-a-security-threat-to-iphones-20160809-gqogpr" rel="noopener noreferrer">Financial Review</a>.</p>

<p>Apple will pay shareholders of record a quarterly dividend of $0.57 per share, tomorrow; however, investors must have had settled ownership of the company's stock on Tuesday Aug. 8, in order to qualify, notes <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/08/09/apple-inc-gears-up-to-distribute-32-billion-in-dividends-to-shareholders-" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>.</p>

<p>A couple of years ago, Ben Kunz writing for <em>Bloomberg Businessweek, </em>predictedthat Apple devices will soon project holograms "like you’ve never seen." Sounds a bit out-there, right? But Kunz could have been onto something.</p>

<p>When I was in high school, I had an art teacher who would allow us to hang out in the art room when we cut classes. But I didn't want to socialize. I wanted to create. </p>

<p>In June <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/6/14/eddy-cue-apples-itunes-music-business-think-music-sales-not-streaming-is-doing-very-well?rq=iTunes%20downloads" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple denied rumors</a> that it was going to stop selling downloads from the iTunes store in the not-too-distant future. However, reports are coming in that music downloads have already been stopped in South Korea, “suggesting that a worldwide rollout may be imminent,” reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.shortlist.com/tech/apple-has-begun-to-stop-selling-downloads-on-itunes#gallery-1" rel="noopener noreferrer">ShortList</a>.</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’s iPad is not only the most popular tablet among humans, but dolphins prefer it as well.</p>

<p>Apple is moving “quickly” to remove apps that appear legit but are actually scams set up to steal customers’ money, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/money-stealing-apps-are-popping-up-on-the-app-store-bitcoin-wallet-apple" rel="noopener noreferrer">Motherboard</a>.</p>

<p>An Bord Pleanala, an independent appeals review board, has begun its final deliberations on the proposed 850 million euro Apple data centre in Athenry, reports Ireland’s <a target="_blank" href="http://galwaybayfm.ie/bord-pleanala-enters-final-deliberations-proposed-apple-data-centre-athenry/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Galway Bay FM</a>. An oral hearing on the development took place in the city in May.</p>

<p>Korean site <a href="http://english.etnews.com/20160809200001"><em>ETNews</em></a> is reporting that a small Korean battery company with around 20 "expert technologists in batteries" has been tapped by Apple for technology to be used in a self-driving vehicle.</p>

<p>Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product, so here are today’s patent highlights:</p>