Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple could release an app that allows you to create your own avatars. The company has been granted a patent (number 9,576,400) for an <strong>“avatar editing environment.” </strong>It would allow you to create custom avatars for use in online games and other applications. (An avatar is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_representation">graphical representation</a> of the user or the user's alter ego or character.)</p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a> — KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the “iPhone 8” will sport a “revolutionary,” front-facing camera based on technology from PrimeSense, a company Apple bought in 2013. The camera system will consist of three models are enable 3D sensing capabilities, he writes. </p>

<p>The great thing about using a laptop is that it’s easy to work anywhere — at least in theory. I’m using a 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. When I’m away from my desk, balancing it on my lap is awkward (and can make my legs a little toasty). Enter the $100 Slate Mobile LapDesk from <a target="_blank" href="http://iSkelter.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">iSkelter</a>.</p>

<p>It’s easy to manage windows on the macOS Sierra Desktop. The Desktop is the area behind the windows and the Dock; it isn’t a window, yet it acts like one.</p>

<p>The AWT News Update is on hiatus while my compadre, Steve, takes a trip. In its place, I’ll offer a text-only (no podcast) summary of breaking stories with a tip o’ my hat to my former website, <em>Apple Daily Report</em>.</p>

<p>Last May <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/5/24/rumor-apple-is-working-on-an-amazon-echo-rival-and-siri-sdk" rel="noopener noreferrer">it was reported </a>that Apple was working on "an Amazon Echo-like device with a speaker and microphone that people can use to turn on music, get news headlines or set a timer” that will be powered by Siri, its personal digital assistant. However, now <a target="_blank" href="http://time.com/4674522/apple-echo-amazon-siri-iphone-airpods/" rel="noopener noreferrer">TIME</a> says Apple isn’t building an Amazon Echo rival.</p>

<p>Apple has reportedly ceased development of new version of its AirPort Base Station and Tim Capsule. However, the routers remain popular, well-designed products, and you can beef ‘em up with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.quickertek.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">QuickerTek's</a> wireless antenna upgrades. The company has announced a new 5TB hard drive upgrade for the Apple AirPort Time Capsule. It also features six external antennas.</p>

<p>The Irish government has spent more than 440,000 euros ($467,000) on a report to defend the tax arrangements between the country and Apple. The <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/apple-tax-appeal-spend-pwc-3-3245125-Feb2017/">commissioned report</a> was compiled by consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, reports the <em>Irish Journal</em>.</p>

<p>Graphic Node has introduced Universal Kit Mill for macOS. It’s three separate applications, each specifically designed for Apple's productivity app, as well as Adobe Photoshop and Pixelmator. </p>

<p>Apple is the fifth most reputable company in the U.S., according to the 2017 <a href="http://www.theharrispoll.com/reputation-quotient">Reputation Quotient Ratings</a> from Harris Poll, a list of the ”100 most visible companies" in the U.S. Ahead of Apple are Amazon, Wegmans, Publix Super Markets, and Johnson. Trailing Apple in the top 10 are UPS, Walt Disney Company, Google, Tesla Motors, and 3M.</p>

<p>Apple will host an event in March to introduce a new iPad Pro lineup, including 7.9-inch, 9.7-inch, 10.5-inch, and 12.9-inch models, as well as other product announcements, according to the Japanese website <a href="http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/rumor/entry-31938.html"><em>Mac Otakara</em></a> — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macrumors.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a>.</p>

<p>The Peninsula Group has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.peninsula-group.com/mac-thermal-printer-driver/" rel="noopener noreferrer">released a series</a> of free macOS-compatible drivers that support thermal printer manufacturers including Zebra, Datamax, Honeywell and Brady with the goal of making it easier to print labels.</p>

<p>According to <a href="http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/apple-shifts-its-marketing-strategy-to-focus-on-digital-and-regional-campaigns/">Adweek</a>, Apple has restructured its relationship with its ad agency, TBWAMedia Arts Lab, to focus more on creating digital and regional campaigns—and less on translating, or “localizing,” big brand campaigns for global markets.</p>

<p>In macOS Sierra’s web browser, Safari, you can create and open multiple tabbed windows. You can rearrange how they’re ordered, close them, or save a group of tabs as a bookmark that you can reopen all at once.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.smileonmymac.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">SmileOnMyMac</a> recently updated PDFPen, its PDF editing and form-filling tool for macOS, to version 8.3, adding Touch Bar support for certain models of the 2016 MacBook Pros. If you haven't used the software, PDFPen -- or its Pro sibling -- is certainly worth a look.</p>