Dennis Sellers

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.fluentco.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fluent</a>, an ad tech company, has released a report on Apple products, which surveyed 2,144 Americans to better understand their views of Apple products—the iPhone in particular. The survey results confirmed the belief that Apple has a strong core business, but also demonstrated that consumers are divided on the extent to which Apple will continue to lead its competitors. According to Fluent:</p>

<p>Sometimes you have to wonder what tech analysts and pundits are thinking. There are two op-ed pieces today suggesting changes to Apple that simply aren’t going to happen. One recommends breaking Apple into separate companies. The other recommends firing Tim Cook.</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>

<p>Six people from New York state have been charged in "an organized criminal enterprise" during which fraudulent transactions allegedly were attempted at an Apple store (pictured) in Deer Park, Illinois, Lake County authorities told the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-lake-county-apple-arrests-0726-20160725-story.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chicago Tribune</a>.</p>

<p>If you're a Creative Cloud or Creative Suite user, you should check out Code Line's Art View, a Quick Look enhancement that offers "quick answers to common questions."</p>

<p>A study by Kansas State University says that people who spend more than six hours sitting each day are at higher risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Which means you need to be taking more standing breaks (at least once every 30 minutes) -- and perhaps using "healthier" chairs such as the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gaiam.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">BalanceBall from Gaiam</a>. <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/kepk3eg" rel="noopener noreferrer">The research</a> involved 63,048 middle-aged men but US scientists say the findings are likely to also apply to women.</p>

<p>The data experts at <a href="https://www.specout.com/">SpecOut</a>, a consumer tech research site powered by <a href="https://www.graphiq.com/">Graphic</a>, has <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.chron.com/techblog/2016/07/the-best-laptop-computers-for-college-students-in-2016/)" rel="noopener noreferrer">developed a list </a>of the top laptops for students entering college in 2016. Apple has three of the top 10 entries. </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 rumor mill is certainly in overdrive lately. We haven’t even seen the “iPhone 7” (or is it the iPhone 6SE?), and there new rumors about 2017’s “iPhone 8” (or will it be the “iPhone 7”). According to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20160725PD202.html?mod=3&q=APPLE" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes</a>, next year’s Apple smartphone — which, for simplicity’s sake, I’ll simply refer to as “iPhone 2017” — may sport an iris sensor.</p>

<p>Apple has agreed to lease more than 40,000 square feet of office space in Bengaluru, India, where the company plans to set up a development center, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/real-estate/apple-leases-more-than-40000-sq-ft-office-space-in-bengaluru/articleshow/53371517.cms" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Economic Times</a>, quoting three unnamed “people familiar with the matter.”</p>

<p>Apple retained sixth place among laptop shipments in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, according to new data from the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.idc.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">IDC research group</a>, trailing HP, Lenovo, Dell, ASUS, and Acer.</p>

<p>Ford is expanding its SYNC 3 connectivity platform, allowing compatibility of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto throughout its entire 2017 U.S. vehicle lineup of cars, SUVs, light trucks and electrified vehicles.</p>

<p>Satechi’s <a target="_blank" href="http://www.satechi.net/index.php/satechi-desk-mat-mate-pad-24-x-14-black" rel="noopener noreferrer">Desk Mat & Mate</a> is a workspace accessory for adults and children. Available in eight colors, it protects any surface area from scratches and spills while also doubling as a comfortable resting surface for your hands while writing, typing, using the mouse or coloring.</p>

<p>If you're a LEGO fan or Marvel comics fan, you'll love <a target="_blank" href="https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/mac-games/legomarvelsuperheroes/" rel="noopener noreferrer">LEGO Marvel Super Heroes</a> from Feral Interactive. The graphics are gorgeous, the gameplay is fun, and there are over 100 Marvel super heroes involved. </p>

<p>According to mobile phone blogger, Evan Blass, the iPhone 7 is coming in just under two months. I think he’s probably right.</p>