Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple’s HomePod, which will be released Feb. 9, has faced some criticism because it only works with Apple Music, Apple’s own music streaming service. However, you can use another iOS device's AirPlay feature to stream music from services other than Apple Music.</p>

<p>Apple has released the second iOS 11.3 public beta. The public beta is available on <a target="_blank" href="https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple's Beta Software Program website</a>. Just remember that beta software, so proceed with care.</p>

<p>An Apple Store proposed for Federation Square has been labelled a "Pizza Hut pagoda" as the Melbourne (Australia) City Council voted to pressure for a redesign.</p>

<p>Goldman Sachs is reportedly in talks with Apple (NASDAQ:<a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AAPL">AAPL</a>) to finance iPhone purchases. According to <em><a target="_blank" href="https://seekingalpha.com/news/3328826-goldman-talks-finance-iphones-wsj?uprof=53&dr=1#email_link" rel="noopener noreferrer">Seeking Alpha</a>, </em>buyers would theoretically borrow from Goldman at a cheaper interest rate than the typical credit card might charge. The bank's Marcus platform on average charges 12%.</p>

<p>Apple will <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-apple/apple-brings-alibaba-linked-payment-system-into-china-stores-amid-market-push-idUSKBN1FR0FH" rel="noopener noreferrer">begin</a> accepting Alipay, a third-party mobile and online payment platform, at its local Chinese stores. The tech giant will accept Alipay payment across its 41 brick-and-mortar retail stores in China.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9885501) for an in-vehicle wireless communication system that involves CarPlay and an iOS device.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.fotojet.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">FotoJet</a> is a useful, free web app that lets you quickly create good-looking photo cards, collages and social media arts without any downloading or installing. And free is always good.</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 a death in the family. Prayers go out to the entire Sande family. In the place of the AWT News Update, 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>ZAGG has announced the $129.99 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zagg.com/us/en_us/keyboards/rugged-book-apple-ipad" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rugged Book</a>, a wireless keyboard and detachable case for the Apple iPad, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Air 2. </p>

<p>Apple is exploring whether to offer rebates to customers who previously purchased fresh iPhone batteries in the wake of <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2018/1/10/us-government-questions-apple-about-its-handling-of-batterygate-1?rq=Batterygate" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Batterygate,”</a> the controversy about the company’s practice of slowing down older devices, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.recode.net/2018/2/6/16979200/apple-iphone-battery-replacement-discount-rebate-congress-senate-letter" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Recode</em></a>.</p>

<p>The European Commission — an institution of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU — says it’s accepted a request from Austria, France, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden to assess under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Shazam by Apple. </p>

<p>On Saturday, reports said that Apple plans to open its first China data center in 2020. Now it looks like Apple will have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-datacenter/apple-to-build-a-second-data-center-in-china-xinhua-idUSKBN1FQ2E6" rel="noopener noreferrer">two centers</a> operable by that date. </p>

<p>Apple Watch shipments beat expectations, topping 18 million in 2017, up by more than 54% from 2016, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.canalys.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canalys</a>. </p>

<p>As noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MacRumors</em></a>, the HomePod supply is beginning to shorten ahead of the speaker's launch this Friday across the U.S. United Kingdom, and Australia. </p>