Dennis Sellers

<p>According to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes Research</a>, Apple’s 2017 smartphone line-up with include a 5.8-inch iPhone with a glass casing reinforced by a stainless steel frame and a 4.7-inch iPhone with an aluminum frame.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,570,002) for an “interactive display panel with IR diodes,” which shows that Apple has looked into iPhone and iPad screens with built-in Touch ID without the need for a dedicated button. Such a feature has been rumored for inclusion in the “iPhone 8,” which is expected to arrive this fall.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.gear4.com/">GEAR4</a> has launched its new Buckingham iPad TPU flip case range in the U.S.. It features D3O shock absorbing technology for enhanced impact protection. The case is available for the iPad mini 4, Air2/Pro 9.7-inch and Pro 12.9-inch.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kanex.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kanex</a> has released the MultiSync Foldable Travel Keyboard, $49.95 universal keyboard is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows devices . It uses Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to and switch between up to four devices. </p>

<p>Not only do I want Apple to get back into the <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/2/13/i-still-want-an-apple-thunderbolt-display-with-a-built-in-gpu" rel="noopener noreferrer">external computer display business</a>, I want the company to make its own speakers for the Mac again. My suggestion: an updated version of the Apple Pro speakers (pictured), which Apple created along with Harman Kardon.</p>

<p>Business owners may want to check out <a target="_blank" href="https://datadepositbox.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Data Deposit Box Backup</a>. It supports end users who are looking for a solution for backing up files continuously and automatically, but more importantly restoring data lost from a total system crash.</p>

<p>During Sunday’s Grammy Awards Apple <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2fipKCrV3I" rel="noopener noreferrer">showed the first teaser</a> for <em>Carpool Karaoke: The Series</em>, the series being spun out of The Late Late Show with James Corden on CBS. </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>Cindori has introduced VR Desktop, an $19.99 app that lets you use macOS together with Virtual Reality (VR) headsets. It requires macOS 10.11 or later and Oculus Rift DK2.</p>

<p>Well, this ain’t good, and will only <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/2/13/i-still-want-an-apple-thunderbolt-display-with-a-built-in-gpu)" rel="noopener noreferrer">add to cries</a> that Apple start making its own external displays for use with Mac laptops: Apple has temporarily stopped sales of LG's UltraFine 5K monitor, due to problems associated with a lack of proper shielding from wireless interference. Apple retail staff were told to keep the product on display yet <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-suspends-sales-of-lg-ultrafine-5k-monitor-2017-2" rel="noopener noreferrer">not sell any units</a> if people asked, according to a <em>Business Insider </em>source. </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 adopt a higher-cost stacked logic board design to support longer battery life.</p>

<p>Apple placed number four on the “Most Innovative Companies of 2017” list from <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/">FastCompany</a>. The Cupertino, California-based company placed fourth on the list; that’s up from seventh place in 2016. Apple has made the list for three years running.</p>

<p>A group of Australian banks previously applied to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for permission to jointly negotiate over access to Apple Pay and the Near Field Communication (NFC)  function on iPhones. Today they announced that they’ve narrowed the application to solely focus on open access to the NFC function.</p>

<p>Samsung Display, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has made a deal with Apple to supply an additional 60 million units of organic light-emitting diode panels, worth about $4.3 billion, for the next-generation iPhone, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20170213000700" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Korea Herald.</a></p>

<p>Apple has joined the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wireless Power Consortium,</a> hinting that the upcoming “iPhone 8” will indeed support wireless charging, at least on some models. The WPC is a group that includes makers of mobile phones, consumer electronics, batteries, semiconductors, components, wireless power technology and infrastructure such as wireless operators, furniture and automotive parts.Apple has joined the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wireless Power Consortium,</a> hinting that the upcoming “iPhone 8” will indeed support wireless charging, at least on some models. The WPC is a group that includes makers of mobile phones, consumer electronics, batteries, semiconductors, components, wireless power technology and infrastructure such as wireless operators, furniture and automotive parts.</p>