Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple may see up to $47 billion removed from its tax bill if Republicans continue with their current (and very controversial) tax reform plan, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://fortune.com/2017/12/06/apple-could-see-nearly-47-billion-in-benefits-from-the-republican-tax-reform/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Fortune</em></a>. This would make the tech giant the biggest beneficiary of the legislation that’s currently before Congress.</p>

<p>As promised this summer, an Amazon Prime app is now available for the Apple TV and requires a third generation (or later) Apple TV. It's a free download available on the tvOS App Store.</p>

<p>CEO Tim Cook <a target="_blank" href="https://in.reuters.com/article/china-fortunteforum-apple/apples-cook-optimistic-that-apps-pulled-in-china-will-be-back-idINKBN1E00MS?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FINbusinessNews+%28News+%2F+IN+%2F+Business+News%29" rel="noopener noreferrer">says</a> he expects the apps removed from the China App Store earlier this year will be reinstated. The tech giant was criticised for pulling virtual private network and messaging apps from the Chinese store due to pressure from the country’s regulators.</p>

<p>Forget one Apple Watch. Apple wants you to use multiple versions of its smartwatch. The tech giant has been granted a patent (number 9,838,526) for switching between watches or other accessories. </p>

<p>Like gaming? Like robots? Like <em>Battlebots</em>?Then you’ll love the spider-like <a target="_blank" href="https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/22ebaf2241ac19aeca5a98fe165927e6d9949a72?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmekamon.com%2F&userId=1372064&signature=cd87de15f9cf56fa" rel="noopener noreferrer">MekaMon</a> from Reach Robotics — IF you’re willing to tackle a somewhat long learning curve.</p>

<p>The iPhone X takes great close-ups with its advanced cameras. But you can make ‘em even sharper.</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 hiatus while my compadre, Steve, deals with some family issues. 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>

<p>Apple <a target="_blank" href="https://searchengineland.com/apple-launches-set-forget-search-ads-basic-app-store-287796" rel="noopener noreferrer">has launched</a> Search Ads Basic, an App Store ad program designed to simplify the process to eliminate keywords and bids. According to the tech giant, advertisers can tell them your app and monthly budget. </p>

<p>A “handful” of enthusiasts of have taken to Twitter to report that Google, and now Wikipedia, are claiming Apple will unveil the iMac Pro on Monday, Dec. 18, according to <em><a target="_blank" href="https://theapplepost.com/imac-pro-launching-december-18th-according-to-google/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Apple Pos</a>t</em>.</p>

<p>As noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MacRumors</em></a>, <em>Consumer Reports</em> has posted its final <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/smartphones/iphone-x-review-test-results/">iPhone X testing results</a>, and, though listing it among the top 10 smartphones, ranks it below the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus.</p>

<p>Apple has released watchOS 4.2 for the Apple Watch. It adds support for Apple Pay Cash service, as well as other improvements and bug fixes.</p>

<p>Apple has acquired Pop Up Archive, a startup that with tech that makes podcasts even searchable, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.niemanlab.org/2017/12/apple-has-acquired-pop-up-archive-an-interesting-startup-that-makes-podcasts-more-searchable/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>NiemanLab</em></a>. Its online platform is focused on building tools to transcribe, organize, and search audio files.</p>

<p>TunesKit Studio has introduced <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tuneskit.com/mac-audio-capture.html)" rel="noopener noreferrer">TunesKit Audio Capture</a> for macOS and Windows. The tool allows you to capture any music files from your computer or the Internet automatically and losslessly. </p>

<p>Lifeprint has launched its new and larger 3x4.5-inch Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connected photo printer exclusively on <a target="_blank" href="http://apple.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple.com</a> and Apple retail stores across the world.</p>