Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple is switching the default provider of its web searches from Siri, iOS Search and macOS Spotlight from Bing to Google, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/25/apple-switches-from-bing-to-google-for-siri-web-search-results-on-ios-and-spotlight-on-mac/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>TechCrunch</em></a>.</p>

<p>In a note to clients as noted by <em>AppleInsider </em>— KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes pre-orders for the iPhone X could pass <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/09/25/iphone-x-preorders-could-top-50-million-but-truedepth-camera-is-bottleneck-for-apple" rel="noopener noreferrer">50 million units</a>, noting that the high end smartphone is the first complete form factor revamp since 2016 and could prompt a “super cycle” of upgrades.</p>

<p><em>The Korea Herald</em> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/25/apples-2018-iphone-lcd/" rel="noopener noreferrer">reports</a> that Apple’s 2018 lineup of iPhones could (and “could’ is probably the operative word here), include a larger LCD model measuring over sixinches with the panel coming from Japan Display.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.quickertek.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">QuickerTek</a> has announced their $399 USB-C MacBook External Battery. Created with Lithium-ion power cells, it sports the USB 3.1 adapter cable necessary to power and charge the 2015-2017 12-inch MacBook and 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro.</p>

<p>iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus adoption was <a target="_blank" href="http://info.localytics.com/blog/after-first-weekend-of-sales-iphone-8-shows-slower-adoption-to-previous-models" rel="noopener noreferrer">lower than previous models</a> over the first three days of availability as customers are apparently waiting for the iPhone X.</p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20170270704) for “depth of field for a camera in a media-editing application field of the invention.” It hints at beefed up features, such as an enhanced “virtual camera,” in iMovie and Final Cut Pro X.</p>

<p>You can sync playlists and albums on your Apple Watch using watch OS 4.  You can keep one music playlist on your Apple Watch at a time. Audiobooks and podcasts aren't compatible.</p>

<p>Houdah Software's HoudahSpot 4.0 is an excellent desktop search tool for macOS. </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>There’s a lot happening in the world of Apple news this week. Following are the hottest articles for the week of Sept. 18-22.</p>

<p>The AWT News Update is on hiatus while my compadre, Steve Sande, takes a mini-road trip to celebrate his birthday (happy birthday, Steve). In its place, 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>In a <a target="_blank" href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201611" rel="noopener noreferrer">support document</a> Apple notes that, along with the launch of the new Apple TV with 4K, it’s extended the rental window for films rented on iTunes. </p>

<p>Darn it! Though the Apple TV with 4K offers both 4K and HDR support, you’ll only be able to steam the high-quality films, not purchase ‘em on iTunes. That’s seems contrary to what Apple indicated at its special Sept. 12 event in which the new set-top box, new iPhones, and the Apple Watch Series 3 was unveiled.</p>

<p>iOS 11 has rocketed to over 6% internet usage just two days after launch, according to independent web analytics company StatCounter. Its research arm <a target="_blank" href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgs.statcounter.com%2Fios-version-market-share%2Fmobile-tablet%2Fworldwide%2F%23daily-20170915-20170920&esheet=51687732&newsitemid=20170921005804&lan=en-US&anchor=StatCounter+Global+Stats&index=2&md5=49fb9d4357753a7c85778c4587a2dfef" rel="noopener noreferrer">StatCounter Global Stats</a> finds that iOS 11 reached 6.2% of all iOS versions worldwide Wednesday.</p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20170272886) for “optimizing the performance of an audio playback system with a linked audio/video feed.” The goal is to make it easier to set up speaker systems with various iOS, macOS and tvOS devices. The patent also may refer to Apple’s upcoming HomePod speaker, based on some of the accompanying images.</p>