Dennis Sellers

<p>On Sept. 12, Apple finally rolled out a product that I’ve been waiting for: the Apple TV 4K with HDR. I have a 4K TV (but it lacks HDR support — darn it!), so it’s a welcome upgrade. And one that helps Apple catch up with the competition.</p>

<p>An “alarming” number of Macs remain vulnerable to known exploits that completely undermine their security and are almost impossible to detect or fix even after receiving all security updates available from Apple, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/09/an-alarming-number-of-macs-remain-vulnerable-to-stealthy-firmware-hacks/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>ars technica</em></a>.</p>

<p>Apple is expanding efforts to develop proprietary semiconductors to better compete in artificial intelligence, reducing reliance on major suppliers such as Intel and Qualcomm, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Apple-A-semiconductor-superpower-in-the-making?page=1" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Nikkei</em></a>, quoting unnamed “industry sources in Asia.”</p>

<p>Apple is perceived by technology professionals to be the "most technologically advanced" company worldwide, according to a September survey by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.decisionanalyst.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Decision Analyst</a>. </p>

<p>Apple has filed for two patents involving the upcoming HomePod speaker system. Apple’s HomePod is expected to go on sale in December and cost $349. The device is just under seven inches tall and looks like a piece of furniture. It will be available in both space gray and white, and also acts as a hub for HomeKit devices to provide remote access to home automation.</p>

<p>With the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular), you can set up and use cellular, making the smartwatch a kind of “mini-iPhone.” You’ll be able to make calls, reply to messages, receive notifications, and more, with just your Apple Watch even when you aren't connected to your iPhone or Wi-Fi.</p>

<p>As Apple Pay gains popularity, and loyalty cards and receipts can be accessed from smartphones, it may be time to downsize the typical wallet. WaterField Designs’ <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/llzqge2" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spike Wallet </a>is an ultra-minimalist, all-leather case ideal for carrying the remaining bare essentials: driver’s license, transit card and a few bills.</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 has issued <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/reneritchie/status/913497056374853634" rel="noopener noreferrer">a statement</a> to growing pressure to activate FM terrestrial radio features inside iPhones for <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/9/28/nab-wants-apple-to-implement-fm-radio-features-in-the-iphone-to-help-save-lives" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety reasons</a>. </p>

<p>Synology has launched the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.synology.com/products/DS418play" rel="noopener noreferrer">DiskStation DS418play</a>, a 4-bay NAS designed to server as a home multimedia center. It packs a dual-core 2GHz processor capable of “bursting” up to 2.5GHz. </p>

<p>Since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, Irma swept across the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Coast, earthquakes struck Mexico and most recently in response to Hurricane Maria’s devastation throughout Puerto Rico, the Apple community has generated more than $13 million to help provide shelter, food, clean water and other emergency services in these communities.</p>

<p>Apple has released the first public betas iOS 11.1, macOS High Sierra 10.13.1, and tvOS 11.1. The public betas are 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>Tax cuts proposed by President Trump and the Republicans could be huge for tech companies such as Apple, notes <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/27/trump-tax-cuts-could-be-big-for-apple-and-other-tech-companies/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Mercury News</em></a>.</p>

<p>Though the iPhone includes FM radio chips, Apple hasn’t activated the feature, which would allow the smartphones to listen to FM radio. According to some critics, this puts lives in danger.</p>

<p>Apple Music exec Jimmy Iovine tells <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/7981590/apple-musics-long-game-why-jimmy-iovine-thinks-theyre-not-even-close-to-success" rel="noopener noreferrer">Billboard</a></em> that the streaming music service now has “well over” 30 million paid subscribers. That’s up from the 27 million announced at the Worldwide Developer Conference in June. </p>