Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple has always gone its own way, so I don’t expect to see a curved screen iMac or Thunderbolt Display anytime soon. However, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) <a target="_blank" href="http://www.idc.com/tracker/showproductinfo.jsp?prod_id=82" rel="noopener noreferrer">Worldwide Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker</a>, there’s increasing interest in such products. </p>

<p>How’s your social life? Apple wants to make it even better, and has been granted a patent (number 9,769,107) for “lifestyle-based social groups.”</p>

<p>Apple’s new iPhone X, which goes on sale in October, will sport cutting-edge facial recognition technology. While its Face ID technology may attract consumers, some observers have expressed concerns about the brave new world such an offering would usher in. </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>My compadre, Steve Sande, is in the middle of a podcast, so can’t do the usual AWT News Update. 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 note to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/09/19/all-2018-iphones-likely-to-adopt-face-id-biometrics-nix-touch-id" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a> — KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that, if Face ID on the iPhone X is a hit, we’ll see it replacing Touch ID on future iPhones and iPads. If it’s not a big hit, expect to see iOS devices sporting Face ID and Touch ID. He also expects the TrueDepth camera of the iPhone X in all future iOS gadgets. </p>

<p>Apple has tweaked its <a target="_blank" href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=09192017b" rel="noopener noreferrer">App Store polic</a>y, allowing users to download apps up to 150 megabytes in size when connected to a cellular network.</p>

<p>Along with a plethora of other updates, Apple has rolled out Safari 11, an update of its web browser for macOS (Sierra and the upcoming High Sierra). It’s a free update at the Mac App Store. The update:</p>

<p>Apple has updated Pages, Numbers and Keynote for iOS 11. All are available at the Apple App Store.</p>

<p>Apple has rolled out tvOS 11 with AirPlay 2, which offers multi-room audio support. It also includes the ability to automatically switch between light and dark interface modes.</p>

<p>Apple has released watchOS 4, featuring a “proactive” Siri watch face, personalized Activity coaching and a new music experience. The update also sports an enhanced Workout app and introduces GymKit, a technology platform that will offer customers connected workouts with cardio equipment.</p>

<p>Belkin has announced the 3.5 mm Audio + Charge RockStar adapter for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus. It plugs into the Lightning connector, offering a way for users to simultaneously charge their iPhone and listen to music using 3.5 mm headphone jack devices. </p>

<p>The iPhone 8 is set to hit shelves Friday, Sept. 22, and Verizon consumers in Los Angeles will have a chance to win one. Beginning today, participants can take part in a scavenger hunt on Snapchat, powered by real-time data.</p>

<p>A new survey conducted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.juniperresearch.com/CMSModules/Newsletters/CMSPages/Redirect.ashx?linkguid=ef689dd1-474b-44a1-8d65-c91e08a7c9ee&email=submitnews%40applecentral.com&hash=898d7744c1fb18e3162d64eeaff77c4d3cc1a3b3101c2b7a131d8a324f3f7a58" rel="noopener noreferrer">Juniper Research</a> has found that over 40% of iOS users in the U.S. consider themselves unlikely to use facial recognition as a payment security technology. The research group says this suggests that a core use case for the iPhone X’s main security feature may struggle to gain traction amongst consumers.</p>

<p>Patient Doctor Technologies has launched Doctella, a Digital Health Studio for health care providers and health insurance companies to bring care programs to patient apps, leveraging Apple’s open source CareKit.</p>