Dennis Sellers

<p>Writing for <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/maybe-its-time-for-apple-to-spin-off-the-mac-as-its-own-separate-company/" rel="noopener noreferrer">ZDNet</a>,</em> David Gewirtz says that Apple should consider spinning off the Mac into its own company. Sorry, but that’s a bad idea — and it certainly won’t happen.</p>

<p>As noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2018/01/02/trendforce-apple-samsung-2018/" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac</a>, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.trendforce.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">TrendForce research group</a> predicts that iPhone sales will increase significantly this year, while those of Samsung smartphones will fall.</p>

<p>Apple has instructed its retail store employees to offer the $29 replacement batteries to anyone who owns an iPhone 6 or newer, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://seekingalpha.com/news/3320585-apple-instructs-stores-offer-29-battery-regardless-diagnostic-test?uprof=53&dr=1#email_link" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Seeking Alpha</em></a>. The internal instructions follow reports of workers refusing the discount if a phone’s battery passed a diagnostic test. </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>You can use macOS Sierra High Disk Utility tool to partition a physical disk — though you should be careful when you do this. Partitioning a storage device divides it into individual partitions, which are listed as separate volumes under the Devices section in the Finder sidebar. </p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://vuo.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kosada's Vuo</a> is designed as an alternative to Apple's Quartz Composer. Aimed at media producers, VJs, interactive artists, and media-making non-programmers, it enables users to interactively create and mix audio, video, and 2D + 3D effects. </p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-potential-merger-acquisition-candidates-aapl-2017-12)" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business Insider</a> </em>— Citi analysts Jim Suva and Asiya Merchant say there’s a 40% likelihood of Apple acquiring Netflix. The tech giant will be able to repatriate about $220 billion in cash to the US under the Trump tax cut.</p>

<p>When the iPad was first announced, I was hoping it would be the perfect companion to my iMac. I envisioned a world where I did the bulk of my work on my desktop, and used the tablet when I was on the go.</p>

<p>Apple has said that Macs will never sport touchscreens. However, the the folks <a target="_blank" href="https://www.handy-abovergleich.ch/macbook-touch/" rel="noopener noreferrer">over at <em>Handy Abovergleich</em></a><em> </em>have put together some intriguing concept pics imagining what a MacBook Touch (pictured) would look like. This gave me an idea for a Mac peripheral that I’d love to see: the Magic TouchPad.</p>

<p>An Italian clothing company called "Steve Jobs" (no, really) has won a trademark battle against Apple and can now use the company’s name and and Apple-inspired logo on whatever they please. </p>

<p>Apple’s Chicago flagship store in Chicago, Apple Michigan Avenue, has been praised for its incredible design, including glass walls, steel columns, and a MacBook-shaped roof. But apparently it wasn’t designed for winter in the Windy City.</p>

<p>Another day, more lawsuits. Apple has published an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/iphone-battery-and-performance/" rel="noopener noreferrer">apology letter</a> to customers in regards to “Batterygate” for slowing down older phones to compensate for erratic battery performance but the lawsuits keep on coming, including new ones in Australia and South Korea.</p>

<p>The iPhone was the best-selling tech product of 2017, selling more units than the No. 2 through No. 5 products combined.</p>

<p>Apple has published an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/iphone-battery-and-performance/" rel="noopener noreferrer">apology letter</a> to customers in regards to “Batterygate” and offered a <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/12/28/apple-issues-apology-letter-and-a-replacement-battery-program-for-iphone-6-and-later-models" rel="noopener noreferrer">battery replacement program</a> for the iPhone 6 and later. However, the gang at iFixIt is cutting cutting the prices on all of its <a target="_blank" href="http://createsend.ifixit.com/t/r-l-jrihkkyk-xlkjygu-i/" rel="noopener noreferrer">DIY battery install kits</a> to $29 or less. </p>

<p>The <em>Apple World Today</em> staff has compiled their list of their favorite hardware and software products of 2017.</p>