Dennis Sellers

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/19/senators-cruz-and-leahy-demand-answers-from-apple-over-china-vpn-apps.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">CNBC reports</a> that U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and Patrick Leahy wrote to CEO Tim Cook about the removal of virtual private network (VPN) apps from the China App Store. The senators want to know if Apple pushed back hard enough against the Chinese government or if the company helped the government with its internet crackdown. </p>

<p>Observer, the cyberpunk horror game developed by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blooberteam.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloober Team</a>, the creators of Layers of Fears, is officially coming to Mac on Oct. 24, according to Mac Gamer HQ. Both Mac and Linux versions will be available on <a target="_blank" href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/514900/observer/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Steam</a>.</p>

<p>Another day, another lawsuit. Emonster k.k., a Japanese software development company, and Enrique Bonansea, a U.S. citizen living in Japan, is suing Apple for allegedly infringing on a U.S. trademark covering “Animoji,” reports <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/10/19/apple-sued-over-animoji-trademark-allegedly-tried-to-buy-ip-rights-prior-to-iphone-x-debut" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a>.</p>

<p>In a note to clients, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says A KGI report says Apple will ship “only” <a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/20/3-million-iphone-x-units-at-release-date-production/" rel="noopener noreferrer">two million to three million units</a> of the iPhone X in the initial launch on November 3 because component shortages pushed back production schedules. </p>

<p>Sonnet Technologies has announced the $89.90 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sonnettech.com/product/thunderbolt3-to-dual-hdmi-adapter.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thunderbolt 3 to Dual HDMI 2.0 Adapter</a>. The compact bus-powered device enables users to connect up to two 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) HDMI monitors with just one Thunderbolt 3 port on a Mac or Windows systems.</p>

<p>ProVUE Development has released Panorama X, a general purpose database system for Macs. It sports a 64-bit RAM based database engine and universal multi-level Undo.</p>

<p>Apple has applied for a patent (number 20170302326) for an “electronic device having antenna tuning integrated circuits with sensors.” It would allow 5G network implementation in future iPhones and iPads.</p>

<p>There’s no way I’d consider replacing my iMac with an iPad Pro — even if the former was offered in a 27-inch model (I love big screens). However, for the first time, my 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a suitable secondary computer that can replace my Mac laptop when I’m traveling. </p>

<p>It’s easy to work on files together in macOS High Sierra. When you share a file in iCloud Drive, you and your team can all work in the same document — and never wonder who has the latest version.</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>Apple and Facebook are “butting heads” over the latter’s plan for a new subscription tool in its mobile app, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.recode.net/2017/10/19/16503272/facebook-apple-android-subscription-plan-instant-articles" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>recode</em></a>. The tool will put paywalls around some articles in Facebook’s news feed, and then send users to publishers’ sites to buy subscriptions.</p>

<p>Just when you thought it was over: Two Athenry (Ireland) residents who mounted a legal challenge to plans by Apple to build a data centre outside the town are seeking to appeal last week’s Commercial Court judgment, reports the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/96148/further-legal-challenge-to-apple-data-centre-in-athenry" rel="noopener noreferrer">Galway Advertiser</a>.</p>

<p>Apple has previewed Apple Michigan Avenue, its newest retail store, creating a new connection between North Michigan Avenue, Pioneer Court and the Chicago River. </p>

<p>New data from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cirpllc.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Consumer Intelligence Research Partners</a> — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/19/apple-store-sales-cirp/" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac </a>— shows that four in 10 Macs are purchased directly from Apple at either the company’s online store or one of its many brick-and-mortar retail outlets.</p>

<p>Rite Aid  is now accepting Apple Pay for purchases <a target="_blank" href="http://www.riteaid.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">made online</a>.The company claims to be the first pharmacy retailer to accept Apple's mobile payment system as a form of online payment.</p>