Dennis Sellers

<p>JixiPix Software has introduced Watercolor Studio, an automatic photo-to-watercolor artistic app for the Mac and Windows. It renders any ordinary photo into a watercolor painting.</p>

<p>There’s more evidence that the Apple Pencil will come to the iPhone in a newly granted patent (number 9,753,556) dubbed “devices and methods for manipulating user interfaces with a stylus.” And perhaps the Mac, as well.</p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-8-people-arent-excited-upgrade-piper-jaffray-research-2017-9?r=UK&IR=T" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Business Insider</em></a> — Piper Jaffray says “the nature of the coming "iPhone 8" upgrade (shown in a fanciful mockup) still hasn't got through to many ordinary people” as only 16% of 400 iPhone owners surveyed said they expected to upgrade.</p>

<p>Apple has booked up the production capacity for above 12-megapixel lens modules at a new factory being built by smartphone lens module maker Largan Precision in central Taiwan, according to <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20170905PD200.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes</a></em>.</p>

<p>For the most part I’ve simply used the Smart Keyboard as the “case” for my 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Some cases I’ve tried were too bulky; others had to be removed to attach the Smart Keyboard. That’s changed with the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.otterbox.com/en-us/ipad-pro-12.9-inch/symmetry-series-hybrid-case/apl2-ipad-pro-12.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Otterbox Symmetry Series</a>.</p>

<p>Since Apple has apparently lost interest in its AppleScript and Automator scripting solutions — almost a year ago, Sal Soghoian’s position as product manager of Automation Technologies at Apple was terminated, after nearly 20 years at the company — it’s about time to offer some details on when/if Workflow will come to the Mac. </p>

<p>Apple has updated its $350 Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones, adding a W1 chip for simple pairing, as well as more advanced noise cancelation technology. They’re <a target="_blank" href="https://www.beatsbydre.com/headphones/studio3-wireless" rel="noopener noreferrer">now available</a> to preorder from Apple, and ship in mid-October. </p>

<p>Apple has confirmed to <a href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/apple-axes-annual-apple-music-festival-london-10-years/"><em>Music Business Daily</em></a> that it will no longer be hosting the annual Apple Music Festival at London’s Roundhouse.</p>

<p>There’s a lot happening in the world of Apple news this week. Following are the hottest articles for the week of August 28-September 2.</p>

<p>Another day, another lawsuit. China-based Guangdong Pisen Electronics has filed a lawsuit with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court against Apple for the “suspected engagement in monopolistic behavior.”</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 was down last month. Which is a bit strange, since Macs continue to defy the industry sales trend for traditional computers and iPhone sales are strong.</p>

<p>Apple wants to move its original video content division to Culver Studios, a place with a long history in the Hollywood film industry, according to the subscription-based <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/09/01/apple-said-to-be-eyeing-culver-studios-as-homebase-for-hollywood-production-push" rel="noopener noreferrer">Financial Times</a>. Although the location has 13 sound stages suitable for both TV and feature films, Apple is primarily looking for office space, the article adds.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/blog/2017/totally-wireless-earbuds-bring-the-loud-to-stereo-headphone-sales/" rel="noopener noreferrer">NPD</a> says 900,000 wireless headphone units were sold in the U.S. so far this year with AirPods leading the market.</p>

<p>Sonnet Technologies has introduced a new version of its <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sonnettech.com/product/fusiontb3pcieflashdrive.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">FusionThunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive</a>, a pocket-size solid-state drive (SSD) storage device with Thunderbolt 3 interface.</p>

<p>Feral Interactive has announced that XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, the expansion pack for the 2016 strategy game, XCOM 2, is out available on the Mac. </p>