Dennis Sellers

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/interest-new-iphones-nears-historic-lows-new-cowen-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer">A new survey</a> by Wall Street research firm Cowen found that the number of current U.S. iPhone owners planning to buy a new iPhone “was near the lowest levels since conducting our survey.”</p>

<p>European Union (EU) antitrust regulators will sanction Qualcomm for hurting competition by paying Apple to use its chips exclusively, according to the <em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/fc712538-004a-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5" rel="noopener noreferrer">Financial Times</a> </em>(a subscription is required to read the article). Qualcomm paid Apple to buy all of its communication chipsets from 2011 to 2016.</p>

<p>Apple has released macOS High Sierra 10.13.3, iOS 11.2.5, watchOS 4.2.2, and tvOS 11.2.5.</p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/18/01/23/entry-level-2018-61-inch-iphone-may-be-lcd-cost-between-700-and-800" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em> </a>— KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is sticking with his previous prediction that the 2018 iPhones will ship in 5.8- and 6.5-inch sizes in OLED, with a lower-priced ($700-$800) 6.1-inch device coming, as well.</p>

<p>Apple shipped 29 million iPhone Xs in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2017, making it the world’s best-shipping smartphone model over the holiday season, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.canalys.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canalys</a>. </p>

<p>Twocanoes Software has released TCM, a solution to manage Macs from a web browser such as Safari or Chrome. The company says you can take a screenshot, open an app, open a web page, reboot a computer, send a UNIX command, reboot to Windows all without leaving your desk or your coffee shop. </p>

<p>Apple’s HomePod wireless speaker arrives in stores beginning Friday, February 9 and is available to order online for $349 this Friday, January 26, in the US, UK and Australia. It will arrive in France and Germany this spring.</p>

<p>I’ve long wanted Apple to make its own NAS/personal cloud server device. Now the company has been granted a patent (number 9,876,830) that shows the company has at least considered the possibility.</p>

<p>Apple spent $7 million lobbying the Trump administration in 2017, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.recode.net/2018/1/23/16919424/apple-amazon-facebook-google-uber-trump-white-house-lobbying-immigration-russia" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Recode</em> repor</a>t. That’s the most the tech giant has ever spent lobbying. </p>

<p>Touch panel maker General Interface Solution (GIS) is expected to land more LCM (LCD module) orders from Apple, which reportedly plans to release an entry-level 13-inch MacBook in the second half of 2018, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20180123PD202.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>DigiTimes</em></a>, quoting unnamed “industry sources.”</p>

<p>TwelveSouth’s $29.99 <a href="https://twelvesouth.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2bf022ba0607d963e90d546c2&id=1ac0552895&e=4cec9fbb29">PencilSnap</a> is an Apple Pencil holster with hidden magnets that keep the iPad Pro tool connected to your Apple Smart Cover, Apple Smart Keyboard, or Twelve South SurfacePad. Well, kinda.</p>

<p>The Photos app in macOS High Sierra allows you to add a Memories feature, which is designed to help you “rediscover favorite and forgotten moments from deep in your photo library.” Memories automatically creates curated collections of your most meaningful photos and videos. </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>Another day, another lawsuit. China-based, material producer Hebei Hengbo Fine Ceramic Material is suing Apple for breach of contract and demands a jury trial for disagreement with the tech giant over terms of a contract for high purity alumina melt stock, a material used to produce sapphire glass, notes <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/18/01/22/apples-sapphire-curse-strikes-again-as-glass-material-manufacturer-sues-over-breach-of-contract" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a>. Such glass is used in some Apple Watch screens, Touch ID fingerprint sensors, and protective covers for rear-facing cameras on iPhones.</p>

<p>Apple has rolled out Apple Music for Artists, a dashboard designed to provide acts with hundreds of data points that provide analytical insight into their fans’ listening and buying habits, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/digital-and-mobile/8095359/apple-bows-apple-music-for-artists-to-provide-acts-with" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Billboard</em></a>.</p>