Dennis Sellers

<p>Market research firm <a target="_blank" href="https://www.trendforce.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">TrendForce</a> reports Apple continued the strong shipments of 12-inch laptops in the second quarter, and focused on the new models of MacBook Pro in the third quarter, recording the third quarter shipments of 4.43 million units and an increase of 11.3%. It exceeded ASUS to rank the fourth in the quarter as the number four global manufacturer of laptops.</p>

<p>Apple has agreed to give limited help to the Indian government develop an anti-spam mobile application for its iOS platform, after refusing to do so based on privacy concerns, according to “sources and documents” seen by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-india-exclusive/exclusive-apple-to-help-india-develop-anti-spam-app-after-face-off-with-regulator-idUSKBN1DF122?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Reuters</em></a>.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,817,894) for “fast search in a music sharing environment.” It apparently involves iTunes Family Sharing and Apple Music with the goal of making searches faster for music data. </p>

<p>WaterField Designs’ $89 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfbags.com/products/ranger-iphone-x-case" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ranger iPhone X case</a> is another of the company’s takes on the traditional holster. With magnetic closing systems that use Neodymium rare-earth magnets, it attaches securely to clothing, belts, work vests, or straps.  </p>

<p>Things are a little different when it comes to navigating the iPhone X as compared to previous Apple smartphones. One of those is unlocking and getting to the Home screen. However, it’s easy once you practice a few times.</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 U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has launched an investigation into allegations of patent infringement by Apple on various devices, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-investigation/usitc-says-launches-probe-of-allegations-of-patent-infringement-by-apple-idUSKBN1DE2ZZ?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtechnologyNews+%28Reuters+Technology+News%29" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Reuters</em></a>.</p>

<p>American Eagle Outfitters, number-two seller of jeans in the U.S., has opened <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/american-eagle-store-free-laundry-nyc-2017-11/#the-fitting-rooms-are-minimally-designed-with-plenty-of-space-to-mill-about-or-show-off-try-ons-to-friends-16" rel="noopener noreferrer">a new store</a> in Manhattan with some cool features, including an iPad in every dressing room.</p>

<p>The $49.95 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tenonedesign.com/mountieplus.php" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mountie +</a> by Ten One Design is a new iPad mount that’s strong enough for the iPad Pro. The design keeps the cord out of your way, making it a two-screen solution on the go when paired with <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/6/20/how-to-add-a-touch-bar-to-your-new-imac?rq=Duet" rel="noopener noreferrer">Duet</a>, an app that allows you to use your iOS device as an extra screen with your Mac.</p>

<p>Key Apple assembler Quanta Computer says augmented reality (AR) will bring huge business opportunities, adding that a “significant” AR device will be released no later than 2019, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/AC/Apple-supplier-Quanta-sees-augmented-reality-headset-out-by-2019" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Nikkei Asian Review</em></a>. That device is expected to come from Apple.</p>

<p>POS printer manufacturer <a target="_blank" href="http://star-emea.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Star Micronics</a> has officially received certification for the first Apple AirPrint POS printer: the $376 Star TSP654II AirPrint. This company says it’s the first 80 and 58mm receipt and ticket POS printer on the market to be Apple AirPrint certified.</p>

<p>Foundry376 has launched <a target="_blank" href="https://getmailspring.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mailspring</a>, a desktop email client designed for macOS High Sierra. </p>

<p>Future iterations of the Apple Pencil may be able to capture and represent the texture of a scanned surface, as evidenced by a new Apple patent (number 9,817,489) for a “texture capture stylus and method.” And, yes, I know that Apple says the Pencil isn’t a stylus, but that’s how the tech giant has described it in more than one patent.</p>

<p>Forget the iPhone X and the <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/11/13/rumor-the-65-inch-iphone-x-plus-is-coming-next-year" rel="noopener noreferrer">iPhone X Plus</a>, I already want the 2019 Apple smartphone. According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-14/apple-is-said-to-target-rear-facing-3-d-sensor-for-2019-iphone" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a>, Apple is working on a rear-facing 3D sensor for that year’s model. </p>

<p>Apple retook the lead in the wearable band market in quarter three of 2017, with shipments of 3.9 million, reports the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.canalys.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canalys research grou</a>p. It posted its strongest quarter so far in 2017, thanks to the release of the Apple Watch Series 3. </p>