Dennis Sellers

<p>Gumdrop Case’s DropTech Clear case for the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro is now available for pre-order and will ship beginning June 12. It offers drop protection, and a clear polycarbonate back window to show off logos, stickers, asset tags or simply the iconic Apple logo.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfbags.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Waterfield Designs</a> has announced the $49 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfbags.com/products/ipad-pro-gear-case" rel="noopener noreferrer">iPad Pro Gear Case</a> to store accessories for Apple’s new 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The iPad Pro Gear Case is a waxed canvas and leather pouch with customized pockets to organize and protect out-of-the box and extra iPad necessities.</p>

<p>Apple is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-repair-exclusive-idUSKBN18Y0BF?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5937dde004d3014ae2a2ee5b&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter" rel="noopener noreferrer">bringing</a> its proprietary screen repair machines to third-party repair centers, according to <em>Reuters</em>. The “Horizon Machine” can fix screen cracks or repair broken sensors, which would prevent the user from using thumbprint authorization. </p>

<p>Apple wants its various devices to have enhanced self-testing capabilities. The company has been granted a patent (number 9,673,916) for an “electronic device with self-testing capabilities.”</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://ctt.marketwire.com/?release=1311673&id=11838046&type=1&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.promise.com%2f" rel="noopener noreferrer">Promise Technology</a>  has added four new models to its lineup of <a target="_blank" href="http://ctt.marketwire.com/?release=1311673&id=11838049&type=1&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.promise.com%2fProducts%2fPegasus%2fPegasus3-Series" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pegasus</a> desktop RAID storage systems. The new Pegasus3 R4, R6 and R8 models feature more capacity -- 16, 36 and 64 (and 80) terabytes (TB), respectively -- and bring 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 3 performance.</p>

<p>The 2017 Apple Worldwide Developer Conference still has two more days to go, and I still have some questions. They may have been answered at WWDC sessions, but, as I’m not a developer, I’m not privy to that info. Anyway, on to the questions:</p>

<p>Apple announced its HomePod smart speaker at WWDC 2017 this week, marking its entry into that market as well as its formal manifestation of the concept of an all-Siri voice-controlled smart home in the future. According to a report by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ihsmarkit.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">IHS Markit</a>, it’s “the most sophisticated audio product in the smart speaker race thus far.” Following is the research group’s reaction to the upcoming product (due in December for $350):</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 Music exec Bozoma Saint John is leaving Apple to work for Uber, according to <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/06/bozoma-saint-john/?ncid=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29">TechCrunch</a>, who reportedly confirmed the appointment through multiple sources at Uber. </p>

<p>Owners of fourth generation Apple TVs can beta test tvOS for the first time. Apple has expanded its Apple Beta Software Program to include the set-top box and tvOS 11. </p>

<p>Apple announced AirPlay 2 as part of iOS 11 announcements at WWDC 2017. It adds multi-room audio capabilities to AirPlay’s existing abilities. AirPlay 2 also enables the use of Siri to initiate and control playback to compatible speakers and devices (such as Apple TV).</p>

<p>In 2015 Apple filed a patent for an “Apple Ring.” And it’s back — kinda — in a new patent filing (number 9,672,702) for “thermal haptic alert notification.”</p>

<p>Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-05/apple-ceo-says-trump-advisory-councils-aren-t-productive" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a> interview that he could not reveal details, but said Apple had provided prompt assistance to the UK authorities.</p>

<p>At this week’s Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple is urging developers to move all their apps to 32-bits as support for them is coming to an end.</p>

<p>Apple has tweaked the prices for its iCloud storage option. The 1TB (per month) option is gone, but the 2TB option price has dropped to $9.99. That’s the former price you’d pay for 1TB of storage.</p>