Dennis Sellers

<p>When the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar was announced, I decided to replace my 27-inch iMac AND 12-inch MacBook with one machine. After seven months of working with the MB Pro and a <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/12/20/lg-ultrafine-4k-is-an-okay-display-for-new-macbook-pros-but-id-wait-for-the-5k-model?rq=Ultrafine" rel="noopener noreferrer">LG UltraFine 5K display</a>, I’ve decided to go back to the iMac — one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/6/14/new-imac-is-the-best-all-in-one-yet-and-the-best-mac-ever" rel="noopener noreferrer">new one</a>s. </p>

<p>I haven’t yet had a chance to test the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/us/search/Magic-Keyboard-with-Numeric-Keypad?src=globalnav" rel="noopener noreferrer">Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad</a>. However, if you don't want to shell out $129 for Apple’s keyboard, the $59.95 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kanex.com/multisync-mac-keyboard" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kanex MultiSync Keyboard</a> for Mac and iOS is a viable replacement for use with the <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/6/14/new-imac-is-the-best-all-in-one-yet-and-the-best-mac-ever" rel="noopener noreferrer">new iMacs</a> if you don’t like the Magic Keyboard 2.</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>Touchtype is working on the <a target="_blank" href="http://touchtypecase.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Touchtype Pro</a> for the iPad and is conducting a crowdfunding campaign to finance it. CEO Salman Sajid says it’s the most versatile iPad Keyboard case for these reasons:</p>

<p>Apple supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn Technology Group, is considering building a U.S. factory in Wisconsin, according to the <a target="_blank" href="http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/iphone-manufacturer-foxconn-eyes-wisconsin-for-new-plant/article_ff7a6d1f-b16b-5559-8dec-94b935ee01e1.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Associated Press</a>. Quoting unnamed “sources,” the article says that Wisconsin officials and company execs are in discussions about the plant.</p>

<p>OWC has announced <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartalec.biz/" rel="noopener noreferrer">SMART Alec</a>, a Mac utility that constantly monitors and checks your Mac hard drives, SSDs, FireWire disks, and USB drives, warning you in advance if drives are failing or about to fail. </p>

<p>Nativ is shipping the Vita, a high-resolution music system with an 11.6-inch touch-screen and access to “all music of the world.” It features built-in support for streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify. </p>

<p>Taiwan-based Wistron, original equipment manufacturer and iPhone assembler, has confirmed that at least one of Apple's next-generation iPhone models will be "waterproof" and include wireless charging capabilities, according to the Japanese website <a target="_blank" href="http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/AC/Wistron-confirms-waterproof-wireless-charging-for-new-iPhone" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Nikkei Asian Review</em></a>. Somehow I don’t think the gang at Apple are going to be pleased about this leak.</p>

<p>The gang at iFixit — who tear apart tech items and look at their innards so you don’t have to — has conducted a teardown of Apple’s new 10.5-inch iPad Pro. They find that an open-faced 10.5-inch iPad Pro is essentially a scaled-down, streamlined version of its 12.9″ predecessor.</p>

<p>Oh, iMac, I’ve missed you. I thought I could replace you with a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and 27-inch LG Ultrafine display. Actually, I did for seven months, but the entire experience just wasn’t as smooth. Plus, the Apple all-in-one’s display is so much more elegant than <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/1/11/lg-ultrafine-5k-is-a-great-display-for-new-macbook-pros-and-looks-arent-everything?rq=LG%205K%20Display" rel="noopener noreferrer">LG’s monitor</a>.</p>

<p>In macOS Sierra, there’s a default printer. It’s the one selected when the Print dialog opens. However, it’s easy to change the default printer — or change a printer’s name.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,679,414) for “federated mobile device positioning” that hints at augmented reality (AR) features for upcoming iPhones. It’s for a user interface that lets you calibrate the position of a 3D model with a real-world environment represented by that model. </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>Google has lured away chip architect Manu Gulati, who’s been spearheading Apple’s own chip developments for close to eight years, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/google-manu-gulati-pixel-chips-1202464014/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Variety</a>. As the new lead SOC [systems-on-a-chip] architect, he’ll apparently be working on chips for the company’s line of Pixel smartphones. </p>

<p>Apple has issued a $1 billion green bond to fund renewable energy generation, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-13/apple-issuing-a-second-green-bond-to-finance-clean-energy" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg</em></a>. It builds on $1.5 billion worth of bonds the tech giant sold a year ago to further its goal of running 100% of its operations on renewable energy.</p>