Dennis Sellers

<p>In 2014 <em>Wired</em> made the suggestion that Apple should instead buy one or more of 10 potential purchases the magazine recommends. Following are the 10 companies Wired recommended (with tongue sometimes in cheek) that Apple should acquire, along with what I'd recommend if I were in charge of Apple (and be thankful that I'm not). It's up to you to decide which of my recommendations are also tongue-in-cheek and which aren't:</p>

<p>The EPIX app is now available on the fourth generation Apple TV. It offers subscribers of the entertainment network access to EPIX’s content, including its original series <em>Berlin Station</em> and Golden Globe nominated <em>Graves</em> and original documentary programming such as <em>America Divided</em>.</p>

<p>A macOS malware agent, named MacDownloader, was observed “in the wild” as targeting the defense industrial base, and reported elsewhere to have been used against an human rights advocate, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://iranthreats.github.io/resources/macdownloader-macos-malware/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Iran Threats</a>, a website run by Claudio Guarnieri and Collin Anderson that analyzes online threats from Iran.</p>

<p>A class-action suit filed against four optical drive manufacturers alleging illegal price fixing has been settled, with previous owners of computers — including Macs — equipped with CD or DVD drives between 2003 and 2008 eligible for $10 per computer owned during that period, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/02/08/mac-owners-between-2003-2008-can-claim-10-in-optical-drive-class-action-lawsuit-settlement" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>.</p>

<p>Apple's WebKit team has proposed a new Community Group at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that will focus on developing a new standard API [application programming interface], perhaps based on Metal, for accelerating GPU-based 3D graphics and general computation for the web, notes <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/02/07/apple-seeks-to-position-metal-as-part-of-new-3d-graphics-standard-for-web" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>. </p>

<p>Maybe Apple is getting ready to show the Apple TV some love. The company has hired Timothy D. Twerdahl, the former head of Amazon’s Fire TV team, to fill a similar role at the Cupertino, California-based company, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-08/apple-hires-amazon-s-fire-tv-head-to-run-apple-tv-business" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloomberg</a>.</p>

<p>You can’t install apps directly from your Apple Watch. However, you can find apps designed to work with your smartwatch in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone:</p>

<p>Satechi’s USB-C Power Meter may only appeal to a certain niche of users, but those users should find it helpful. It lets you measure the volts, amps, and mAh output from accessories to ensure that they’re safe and compatible with new Type-C laptops, tablets and smartphones such as the 12-inch MacBook and 2016 MacBook Pros.</p>

<p>John Solomon, an Apple vice president responsible for government and enterprise sales, has left the company. Representatives for Apple <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/apple-moves-solomon-idUSL1N1FS1G7" rel="noopener noreferrer">confirmed the departure</a>, but didn't offer an explanation, <em>Reuters</em> reports. </p>

<p>Today a California Federal Circuit Court remanded the Apple v. Samsung patent design issue back down to district court.</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 set a new quarterly shipment record in in the fourth quarter of 2016, contributing to total smartwatch shipments exceeding nine million units, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.canalys.co" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canalys</a>. This global market figure was largely driven by Apple’s six million shipments, representing year-on-year growth of 12%. </p>

<p>Apple has released a second public beta of iOS 10.3. If you're not already signed up for the public beta program, <a href="https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/">you can do so here</a>. The public beta program is free, but remember: beta software is unfinished software so use with care.</p>

<p>Apple has released a second developer beta of macOS Sierra 10.12.4. It can be be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center — if you’re a registered developer, that is.</p>

<p>Apple Maps for macOS, iOS and watchOS now provides real-time traffic conditions to Argentina customers, according to Apple’s refreshed <a target="_blank" href="http://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/#maps-traffic" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS Feature Availability webpage</a>.</p>