Dennis Sellers

<p>Health data collected entirely from smartphones can be reliable, research from Mount Sinai Hospital claims. The researchers involved found — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/13/14908402/apple-researchkit-health-asthma-study-app-data-smartphone" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Verge</a> -- that Apple’s ResearchKit platform and an app for asthma were fairly accurate when compared to existing patient studies.</p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/03/13/despite-china-weakness-apples-aspirational-brand-remains-strong-globally----report" rel="noopener noreferrer">by AppleInsider</a> — UBS analyst Steven Milunovich says that the premium smartphone market returned to growth in the December quarter at up 8% with Apple outgrowing the market with a 19% growth. </p>

<p>Apple is expected to announce new products later this month, most likely between Monday, March 20 and Friday, March 24, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://MacRumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors.com</a>, quoting “reputable supply chain analysts … who wish to remain anonymous.”</p>

<p>Apple may or may not be working on an “Apple Car,” but Intel is interested in such technology. The company has announced a $15.3 billion acquisition of Israeli automotive technology company Mobileye N.V.</p>

<p>In the wake of recent news that Apple has joined the Wireless Power Consortium — and rumors that the “iPhone 8” will support wireless charging — wireless power company, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.powermat.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Powermat</a>, says it will be ready to support iPhones with “whateverwireless charging protocol Apple employs.”</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>In 2013 Apple filed three patents that showed the company is working on ways let you loan or re-sell the digital content you purchase on iTunes. That's a great idea; if it ever comes to fruition, I'll be more inclined to buy even more content at the iTunes Store.</p>

<p>In the first half of 2016, US and UK smartphone users were most likely to be interested in purchasing a device with a 5.3-inch or 5.0-inch display, according toa new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.strategyanalytics.com/access-services/ux-innovation/user-experience-strategies/reports/report-detail/h1-2016-smartphone-size-preference-remains-stable-at-5.0-to-5.3-inches#.WMgNGG-LSM8" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> from Strategy Analytics.</p>

<p>The Mac’s Dock is the place where you can keep items you use frequently in macOS Sierra. You can add or remove items from the Dock, make it larger or smaller, or even hide it altogether.</p>

<p>The number of households with Netflix now surpasses those with a DVR for the first time ever, a new study finds. The <a href="http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/press/030617release.pdf">survey</a> of 1,211 households throughout the United States, conducted by Leichtman Research Group (LRG), revealed that more than half of adults — 54%— have Netflix in their household. </p>

<p>Don’t count the traditional personal computer — such as the Mac — out yet. According to new data from the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.comscore.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">comScore research group</a>, among all media devices in U.S. connected homes, laptop and desktop computers had the highest penetration at 90%, followed closely by mobile phones at 88%. </p>

<p>Apple has applied for a patent (number 2017006892) for an <strong>“integrated component cap and spacer for a battery pack,” </strong>which hints at battery packs that could attach to Mac laptops, iPads and iPhones, something already provided by some third parties.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.weberhaus.de" rel="noopener noreferrer">WeberHaus</a>, which specializes in pre-fabricated connected homes, will feature Apple HomeKit — a framework that allows control of compatible home automation devices through iOS and Siri — in its smart homes this year. The company is based in Germany.</p>

<p>Apple’s Swift is now among the 10 most popular programming languages, according to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tiobe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tiobe Index</a>, which measures the popularity of programming languages on a monthly basis. This is the first time it’s made the list.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/source-apple-will-fight-right-to-repair-legislation)" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple is planning to fight</a> proposed electronics "Right to Repair" legislation being considered by the Nebraska state legislature,  “according to a source within the legislature who is familiar with the bill's path through the statehouse.”</p>