Dennis Sellers

<p>In <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macworld.com/article/3211411/home-tech/why-apple-should-make-a-cheaper-streamlined-apple-tv.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">a “Stay Foolish” column</a> at <em>Macworld</em>, Dan Moren says that Apple should make a cheaper, streamlined Apple TV. He’s right. But what if Apple took things on step further and offered different models of the set-top box.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.weebly.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Weebly</a>, a global website and eCommerce service, has announced that it will integrate Apple Pay into the mobile checkout flow of Weebly online stores.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.x-naut.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">X-naut</a> has entered into the consumer and commercial drone market with the launch of the Drone Controller Bracket that’s compatible with DJI Phantom and Inspire mobile device holders.</p>

<p>A final decision on a proposed €850 million (approximately US$996) Apple data centre in Athenry, Ireland, has been pushed back to mid-October, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/decision-on-apple-s-850m-data-centre-in-athenry-postponed-1.3167683" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Irish Times reports</a>. A decision was expected this week but the Courts Service has delayed hearing on the case until Oct. 12.</p>

<p>Another day, another lawsuit. As noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/07/27/apple-sued-over-apple-tvs-what-did-he-say-other-siri-voice-control-features" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInside</a>r, a company called CustomPlay has filed a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scribd.com/document/354917598/CustomPlay-Lawsuit" rel="noopener noreferrer">lawsuit</a> against Apple claiming a fourth-generation Apple TV feature that allows users to control and interact with video content using Siri voice commands infringes on patented software technology.</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? A new patent (number 20170212554) for “electronic devices having ventilation systems with antennas” shows that the company is at least considering the possibility.</p>

<p>Pantheon's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.getpantheon.com/multidev" rel="noopener noreferrer">Multidev</a> is designed to cut website management costs by letting teams instantly provision unlimited development environments in the cloud. </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><a target="_blank" href="http://macpaw.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacPaw</a>, makers of Setapp and developers of a number of macOS apps, has purchased <a target="_blank" href="http://theunarchiver.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Unarchiver</a>, a file extraction utility.</p>

<p>Apple has updated its <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-store/id375380948?mt=8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Store app</a> for iPhones and iPads to version 4.3.</p>

<p>Events DC has announced that its board of directors and Apple have finalized terms for the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia to execute a lease with the Cupertino, California-based company for the establishment of a retail store. </p>

<p>As noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>MacRumors</em></a>, Apple has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/ipod/" rel="noopener noreferrer">removed the iPod nano and iPod shuffle</a> from its website and online store, leaving only the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/ipod-touch/" rel="noopener noreferrer">iPod touch</a> in its iPod line-up.</p>

<p>With sales per square foot viewed as a major component of retail success, according to industry data provided by eMarkter, the #1 retailer in sales per square foot is Apple, which did a staggering $5,546 per square foot. </p>

<p>Augmented reality (AR) is coming to the iPhone. And a new Apple patent (number 20170213393) dubbed “method for representing points of interest in a view of a real environment on a mobile device” shows some of the things we can expect in the near future.</p>

<p>White House officials have begun an outreach campaign to technology, business and education leaders including Apple CEO Tim cook and Laurene Powell Jobs (Steve Jobs’ widow) for advice on shaping funding approaches to science, technology, engineering and math education in U.S. public schools, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-26/trump-administration-tapping-tech-ceos-for-stem-policy-approach" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a>.</p>