Dennis Sellers

<p>As we <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/12/23/2016-macbook-pros-first-ones-not-to-receive-recommended-ratings-from-consumer-reports" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported last month</a>, for the first time ever, <em>Consumer Report</em>s failed to recommend new models of Apple’s MacBook Pro line. The laptops did very well in measures of display quality and performance, but as far as battery life goes, <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/laptops/macbook-pros-fail-to-earn-consumer-reports-recommendation/">models "varied dramatically"</a> from one trial to the next. However, Apple says the battery tests were inaccurate, as the publication had enabled a hidden setting in its Safari browser.</p>

<p>A new Greenpeace report, <a target="_blank" href="http://greenpeace.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8%2c4898-%3eLCE5946%2f9%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4019806&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=15313&Action=Follow+Link" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Clicking Clean: Who Is Winning the Race to Build a Green Internet?</em></a>, finds that Apple, Google, Facebook, and newcomer Switch are leading the charge to build a renewably powered Internet.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,543,364” for "Electronic devices having displays with openings" that hints at upcoming iPhones and iPads will edge-to-edge displays. Per the patent, a display may occupy the entire front face of a device. The invention might also allow for major speaker changes.</p>

<p>Apple will adopt a forged stainless steel crafting process for its glass-encased "iPhone 8", rather than use traditional aluminum CNC machining. according to <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20170109PD202.html"><em>DigiTimes</em></a>, quoting unnamed Taiwanese sources. </p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blumoo.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blumoo</a> is a useful universal home entertainment "appcessory" that provides you with control of the audio and visual equipment already installed in your home. It's a universal remote control and streaming device that pairs iOS mobile devices (including the Apple Watch) to existing home entertainment systems.</p>

<p>Apple is repurposing GT Advanced's former sapphire plant in Mesa, Ariz., to produce cabinets for its other data centers, according to a notice published by the U.S. government — and as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/01/09/apple-to-produce-data-center-cabinets-at-defunct-gt-advanced-sapphire-plant" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>.</p>

<p>Apple is planning “one of the most innovative and technological Apple Stores in the world” in Milan, Italy, notes <a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/01/09/apple-milan-italy-flagship-location/" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac</a>, quoting a local report.</p>

<p>Citing an unnamed “employee at Zeiss,” AR/VR evangelist Robert Scoble claims Apple is partnering with optics manufacturer Carl Zeiss on a pair of lightweight glasses, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/01/09/rumor-apple-working-with-carl-zeiss-on-ar-glasses-to-debut-in-2018" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>. He adds that the product will debut in 2018.</p>

<p>A team from Apple will meet a group of India’s senior officials from ministries, including IT and finance, on Jan. 25 to discuss its demands for setting up a manufacturing unit in the country, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bgr.in/news/apple-to-meet-government-officials-on-january-25-to-discuss-manufacturing-in-india/" rel="noopener noreferrer">according to BGR</a>.</p>

<p>AppYogi Software has introduced EzyCal - Calendar 2017, a menu bar calendar developed exclusively for macOS. It ships with a full calendar display with events, reminders, to-do list organizer, cal-sync and more. </p>

<p>IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, a producer of global patent databases and innovative web services, has announced the <a href="http://www.ificlaims.com/index.php?page=misc_top_50_2016">2016 IFI CLAIMS U.S. Top 50</a>, an annual ranking of top patent recipients. Apple increased the number of patents it received, but remains at #11 on the list.</p>

<p>Today (Jan.9) marks the tenth anniversary of the iPhone’s debut. At the 2007 Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco, then-CEO Steve Jobs introduced the world to Apple’s smartphone as three products in one — “a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone and a breakthrough internet communications device.” In the 10 years since, Apple has sold over a billion iPhones. </p>

<p>The Apple Pencil is a fantastic accessory, but can’t be easily attached to the body of an iPad Pro. Plus, its plastic body is easily scratched and can be slippery. The folks at Appostasy are working on a solution: the “PenSe.” </p>

<p>Apple will introduce 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 Quo says Apple will introduce three iPads in 2017: a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and a "low-cost" 9.7-inch iPad, along with a new bezel-free, mid-size model in the range of between 10 and 10.5 inches.</p>

<p>Smartphone users in Russia can no longer download the LinkedIn app on iPhone or Android devices, following a similar move in China to block The New York Times app on iPhones, reports the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/06/technology/linkedin-blocked-in-russia.html?_r=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">New York Times</a>.</p>