Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple emerged as the clear leader, scoring 114 out of a possible 120 points, plus an additional eight points in extra credit in the <a target="_blank" href="https://enoughproject.org/demandthesupply?utm_source=PR&utm_campaign=Rankings2017" rel="noopener noreferrer">2017 Conflict Minerals Company Rankings</a> by the Enough Project. </p>

<p>If you want to buy the best laptop that is out there, go for Apple’s MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, says <a href="https://www.rescuecom.com/">RESCUECOM</a> President David Milman, whose company repairs tens of thousands of computers annually.</p>

<p>DiRT Rally is now out for the Mac. It’s available from the <a target="_blank" href="https://store.feralinteractive.com/xx/mac-linux-games/dirtrally/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Feral Store</a> for $59.99 and will be coming to the Mac App Store soon. DiRT Rally requires macOS 10.13 or higher. </p>

<p>Apple wants to make iPhones and iPads more resistant to drops and hits, especially the camera components of the devices. The tech giant has filed for a patent (number 20170331993) for an “impact absorber.”</p>

<p>Nomad has released five handsome leather cases for the iPhone X, all of which are compatible with Qi wireless charging. The variety means that at least one of the reasonably priced cases will suit everyone — unless he’s looking for a “flavor” rather than rustic brown. </p>

<p>The iPhone X doesn’t have a Home button, so there’s a new way to use fast app switching.  </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>CCS Insight is predicting that Apple will introduce a Netflix competitor next year, according to <em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.investopedia.com/news/apple-could-launch-netflix-competitor-2018-analyst/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Investopedia</a></em>. The UK market research firm thinks the tech giant will enter the market in a big way next year, launching a streaming video service that will be home “to a slew of original content.”</p>

<p>Apple has updated its website with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/shop/gifts" rel="noopener noreferrer">holiday gift guide</a>. Not surprisingly, it helps you “find great holiday gift ideas” like MacBook Pros, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch Series 3, and accessories. Buy now at apple.com and you can get fast, free shipping.</p>

<p>Chinese website <a target="_blank" href="http://news.mydrivers.com/1/555/555760.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MyDrivers</em></a> — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MacRumors</em></a> — says Apple’s 2018 iPad Pros will feature octa-core processors. That prediction is based on Taiwanese supplier TSMC's improved 7nm manufacturing process.</p>

<p>The Digital Citizens Alliance Executive Director Tom Galvin has issued a statement after <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/millions-kodi-pirates-could-be-unwittingly-spreading-child-porn-malware-1647284" rel="noopener noreferrer">TVAddons reported</a> there is a "'99.99%" chance" that the millions of consumers using jailbroken Apple TV 2 devices to stream content are, "at risk of having their Kodi box used to send spam, DDoS attacks, distribute malware or even something as disgusting as child pornography."</p>

<p>Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook topped the first <a target="_blank" href="http://brandz.com/article/just-launched--us-2018--brandz--top-100-most-valuable-us-brands-report-2234" rel="noopener noreferrer">“BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable U.S. Brands”</a> ranking released today by WPP and Kantar Millward Brown. </p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/7d504e51b82779ff0f706dd1bd763e3413a565c2?url=https%3A%2F%2Freachrobotics.com%2F&userId=1372064&signature=edd6b75e9422e84a" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reach Robotics</a>, an augmented reality gaming company, says its flagship product, <a target="_blank" href="https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/22ebaf2241ac19aeca5a98fe165927e6d9949a72?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmekamon.com%2F&userId=1372064&signature=cd87de15f9cf56fa" rel="noopener noreferrer">MekaMon</a>, “the world’s first real-life gaming robot,” is now available on <a target="_blank" href="https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/407337ba8bd8cabba647ac7cfcd9c9122d689f9c?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2F&userId=1372064&signature=c89c57b54d944d08" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple.com</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://mekamon.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">MekaMon.com</a> for $299.95, as well as in Apple stores throughout the U.S. and UK at stores on Nov. 16.</p>

<p>Market research firm <a target="_blank" href="https://www.trendforce.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">TrendForce</a> reports Apple continued the strong shipments of 12-inch laptops in the second quarter, and focused on the new models of MacBook Pro in the third quarter, recording the third quarter shipments of 4.43 million units and an increase of 11.3%. It exceeded ASUS to rank the fourth in the quarter as the number four global manufacturer of laptops.</p>

<p>Apple has agreed to give limited help to the Indian government develop an anti-spam mobile application for its iOS platform, after refusing to do so based on privacy concerns, according to “sources and documents” seen by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-india-exclusive/exclusive-apple-to-help-india-develop-anti-spam-app-after-face-off-with-regulator-idUSKBN1DF122?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Reuters</em></a>.</p>