Dennis Sellers

<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>

<p>The Apple Watch Series 3, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus go on sale globally at 8 .m. (local time) today.</p>

<p>You can use your Apple Watch and watchOS 4 to control music on your iPhone, or you can enjoy music on your Apple Watch without the smartphone.</p>

<p>ProjectWizards’ <a target="_blank" href="http://projectwizards.net/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Merlin Project</a> for macOS is a handy tool for planning complex projects.</p>

<p>In a <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/tim_cook/status/910969400160788480" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter post,</a> Apple CEO Tim Cook says the company is donating $1 million toward earthquake recovery efforts in Mexico. The company has also donated to hurricane recovery efforts in Texas and Florida.</p>

<p>OWC has announced the <a target="_blank" href="http://sable.madmimi.com/c/71191?id=2145110.7441.1.fc8c20b76619896a853e9fea340845e5" rel="noopener noreferrer">OWC USB-C Travel Dock</a>, which lets you connect its integrated USB-C cable to a Mac or PC laptop or other computer to utilize its five ports of mobile connectivity from a dock small enough to fit in a pocket.</p>