Dennis Sellers

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">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>AppYogi Software has introduced Wifi Signal Strength Status 1.0, its new utility developed exclusively for macOS. The app prominently displays the wireless signal strength with network name, "neat icon" or "percentage" on the menu bar. </p>

<p>Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology, the world’s largest wind power turbine maker, has struck a joint venture agreement with Apple to supply clean energy to the company’s production partners in China, reports the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2052643/wind-turbine-giant-goldwind-power-joint-venture-apple" rel="noopener noreferrer">South China Morning Post.</a></p>

<p>We know that Apple <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/12/3/apple-acknowledges-that-its-working-on-self-driving-cars?rq=Mansfield" rel="noopener noreferrer">has sent a letter</a> to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) acknowledging that it is working on self-driving cars. Its timing could be impeccable. Now the company has filed for a patent for an autonomous vehicle collision avoidance system.</p>

<p>Apple has added ABC and Disney to its Single Sign-on feature in tvOS 10.1 and iOS 10.2, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/7/13876146/apple-single-sign-on-tv-abc-disney" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Verge</a>. Both the Watch ABC and Watch Disney apps for Apple TV and iOS will now automatically log you in if you’ve entered your cable or satellite credentials into the new settings menu.</p>

<p>Apple argued in a Beijing court on Wednesday that its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus mobile designs don’t copy a Chinese product and should be allowed to be sold on the Chinese mainland, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/tech/2016-12/08/content_27606595.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer">China Daily</a>.</p>

<p>The National Hockey League has informed teams that it’s seriously negotiating a a partnership with Apple that could see iPads and other technology become commonplace on team benches, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tsn.ca/sources-nhl-close-to-finalizing-major-partnership-with-apple-1.626265" rel="noopener noreferrer">TSN</a>, quoting three unnamed “sources familiar with the matter.”</p>

<p>The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) officially adopted Bluetooth 5 as the latest version of the Bluetooth core specification this week. Key updates to Bluetooth 5 include longer range, faster speed, and larger broadcast message capacity, as well as improved interoperability and coexistence with other wireless technologies. </p>

<p>I’ve always appreciated the HiRise line of products, but Twelve South has kicked things up a notch (pun intended) with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twelvesouth.com/product/hirise-duet" rel="noopener noreferrer">HiRise Duet.</a> The latest iteration of the charging stand/dock powers your iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously. This saves some desktop real estate and eliminates a bit of cord clutter.</p>

<p>Mineral Database is a Mac app from Tasa Graphics Arts that provides a useful reference for students, educators, professionals, or anyone interested in minerals.</p>

<p>The AWT News Update is on hiatus while my compadre, Steve, takes a road 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>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>With major studios <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/news/3228363-theater-stocks-take-beating-concerns-premium-home-viewing">talking about the possibility</a> of movie rentals becoming available as soon as two weeks after debuting in theaters, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-07/apple-said-in-talks-with-film-studios-for-earlier-movie-rentals">Bloomberg reports</a> that Apple's been pushing for such early access. Historically, theaters are given exclusive rights for 90 days before titles become available through DVD and online formats.</p>

<p>In a tweet, Apple’s, Phil Schiller, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Marketing Philip Schiller <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/pschiller/status/806510676147507200" rel="noopener noreferrer">claims</a> November was a “record breaker” for the Apple App Store with the highest monthly sales ever.</p>

<p>According to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes Researc</a>h, 51.29 million tablets will ship globally in the fourth quarter of 2016, increasing 7.3% on quarter but decreasing 21.5% on year. Apple will ship 10.9 million iPads, up 17.2% sequentially, according to the research group.</p>