Dennis Sellers

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hexbrand.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">HEX</a> has released a new collection of cases and wallets for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hexbrand.com/collections/star-wars" rel="noopener noreferrer">iPhone in collaboration with Star Wars</a>. The next film in the series, <em>Star Wars: The Last Jedi</em>, opens Dec. 15.</p>

<p>According to the latest market share survey from <a target="_blank" href="http://netmarkeshare.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">NetMarketShare</a>, the market share for both macOS and iOS dipped (slightly)  last month. </p>

<p>Want an iPhone X for Christmas? You’re in luck. Shipping estimates for the next gen smartphone have improved, so you can have one under your Christmas tree.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a second patent (number 20170347182) for the upcoming AirPod case that will work with its AirPod charging system, due in early 2018.</p>

<p>Don’t want to fork out $129 for Apple’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ2R2LL/A/magic-trackpad-2" rel="noopener noreferrer">Magic Trackpad 2</a>? Have an iPad or iPhone? Don’t mind having (potentially) the world’s biggest trackpad for use with a desktop Mac? Then check out <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rowmote-pro-remote-control-for-mac/id315316036?mt=8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rowmote Pro: Remote Control for Mac</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 has launched the <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-heart-study/id1277240928?mt=8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Heart Study</a> app, which is designed to facilitate research study using Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor to collect data on irregular heart rhythms and notify users who may be experiencing atrial fibrillation (AFib).</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.alivecor.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">AliveCor</a>, which specializes in FDA-cleared personal electrocardiogram (EKG) technology, has announced FDA clearance of its $199 KardiaBand in the U.S.</p>

<p>Each quarter, mobile experts compare the features and performance of iOS and Android smartphones. In the third quarter of 2017, Apple's iPhones came out victorious in the battle, with the Android device failure rate (30%) being nearly double that of the iOS device failure rate (16%), according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blancco.com/resources/rs-state-of-mobile-device-performance-and-health-trend-report-q3-2017/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Q3 2017 State of Mobile Device Performance and Health report</a> released by Blancco Technology.</p>

<p>While many find that a tablet or a laptop (or, for some, even a phone) is all they need, there are others who want to compute the old fashioned way - on a desktop. David Milman, president of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rescuecom.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">RESCUECOM</a>, a computer repair company, says Apple’s iMac is an ”excellent computer” that’s less than half the price of Microsoft’s Surface Studio (though he recommends the Studio as the best-in-class for desktops over $4,000).</p>

<p>The worldwide wearables market took another step forward in the third quarter of 2017 (3Q17) with total shipment volume reaching 26.3 million units, up 7.3% year over year, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) <a target="_blank" href="http://www.idc.com/tracker/showproductinfo.jsp?prod_id=962" rel="noopener noreferrer">Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker</a>. </p>

<p>Strong early adoption of the iPhone X positions Apple for market leadership, according to Ian Fogg, senior director, mobile and telecom, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ihs.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">IHS Markit</a>. </p>

<p>Apple has been granted a second patent (number 20170340209) for using an Apple Watch to monitor blood pressure. This one is dubbed “blood pressure monitoring using a multi-function wrist-worn device.” The first (number 20170293727) for a “user device” for “intelligent blood pressure monitoring.” </p>

<p>Google is currently facing legal action from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youoweus.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Google You Owe Us</em></a>,  a campaigning group founded as a result of Google tricking Safari into revealing the personal data of iPhone users between June 2011 and February 2012. </p>

<p>Apple has released a support document to help you deal with the issue. If you experience issues with authenticating or connecting to file shares on your Mac after you install Security Update 2017-001 for macOS High Sierra 10.13.1, follow these steps to repair file sharing:</p>