Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple is working on — or at least considering — an app that would allow you to create 3D virtual characters for use on its macOS, iOS, watchOS and tvOS, as well future devices. The patent (number 20170154473) is dubbed “systems, methods and computer-readable media for placing an asset on a three-dimensional model.”</p>

<p>Lakehorn AG has introduced its full suite of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lakehorn.com/network-speed-tester/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Network Speed Tester apps</a> for all Apple devices. It lets users measure and visualize network and WiFi performance between Macs, iPhones, iPads and Apple TVs on the same network. </p>

<p>According to the latest market share survey from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.netmarkeshare.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">NetMarketShare</a>, the market share for both macOS and iOS was up last month.</p>

<p>Score Publishing is holding the 2017 <a target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LH03eQmKJUF9n2CGr4zPHB7uAPbZS0p-fejhWO00Tt83arNJ0abVKEMmWDZKvpATnPK-NPMyaf3tFHQR7Zf4t1qwvqTQGcFSooTTpaG1ZIC7EFFUEglFDOVnN11YxR8IqgEgN92-IufJpY7Y0wCwPHqg7oHNpgPl&c=b-tGzz8rGW8fYNEd2qEpiEnOhKptHo5SUqtKFlpMG6lmD23OgWrHfw==&ch=SHQAhW-4I1LWPH-W5LgViGMJJ4uAlPVnGNpHOwPZ8jItWurXpIld6w==" rel="noopener noreferrer">iBooks Author Conference</a> this fall with NASA keynoting and Southwest Airlines serving as the newest major sponsor. The conference will be held Oct. 12 and 13 in Nashville, TN, on the Vanderbilt University campus.</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 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-31/apple-said-to-ready-siri-speaker-in-bid-to-rival-google-amazon" rel="noopener noreferrer">started</a> manufacturing the long-rumored Siri-powered smart speaker, according to <em>Bloomberg, </em>quoting unnamed “people familiar with the matter.” The article says the company will debut it at next week’s Worldwide Developer Conference.</p>

<p>Apple maintained its fifth-place position among tablet manufacturers in India despite shipments declining by 38.2% compared to the previous quarter, according to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.idc.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">IDC research group</a>. The iPad has 5.3% of India's tablet marketshare.</p>

<p>If and when movie studios and exhibitors agree on a premium video-on-demand (PVOD) service, Apple's iTunes will have the upper hand as the delivery platform, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sean-parker-screening-room-backlash-2017-5" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business Insider</a>.</p>

<p>Microsoft has announced that six PC manufacturers (HP, Lenovo, ASUS, VAIO, Huawei, and Xiaomi) are committed to producing LTE-capable laptops. When will Apple join the party?</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,668,024) that shows it has bigger plans for Siri, its digital automated assistant, on the Apple TV. For example, it could e used to interact with a television set-top box and control content shown on a TV. </p>

<p>With the release of iTunes 12.6 on macOS Sierra, Apple restored the ability to open a playlist in a new window. Why this feature was ever removed shall forever remain a mystery. But here's how you can open a playlist in a new window.</p>

<p>French website <a target="_blank" href="http://consomac.fr/news-6702-de-nouveaux-macs-et-ipad-en-juin.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Consomac</em></a> — as noted by <em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a></em> — has discovered a new Russian-language regulatory filing, in the Eurasian Economic Commission database, that points towards at least five new models running macOS Sierra launching soon. </p>

<p>Bail Enemy Jet! has rolled out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brawlerznitro.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brawlerz Nitro 1.0</a>, an $14.99 arena combat game for macOS, Windows and Linux.</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 updated its free <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wwdc/id640199958?mt=8)" rel="noopener noreferrer">WWDC app</a> for iOS and tvOS to version 6.0. It allows you to follow along with developments at the Worldwide Developer Conference. </p>