Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple’s AirPods do a great job of staying in your ears during exercise, according to most users (though my experience has not been as positive), but Apple is looking into “earphone assemblies with magnets for anchoring to a user,” according to a new patent filing (number 20160381448). Yep, that’s right. Magnets.</p>

<p>Apple wants the government of India to relax labelling rules so that it doesn't have to print product-related information directly onto devices to avoid cluttering up their minimalist design, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/apple-seeks-relaxed-labelling-rules-doesnt-want-to-print-product-info-on-devices/articleshow/56229190.cms" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Economic Times</a>. That's one of the concessions Apple has sought after expressing its intention to start manufacturing in India, the article adds, quoting an unnamed official. </p>

<p>Distil Union’s U.S.$44.99 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.distilunion.com/collections/wally-wallet-cases" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wally Wallet case</a> combines a wallet and iPhone case in a handsome, minimal design. It’s a fine product in its class (I’ve tried the version for the iPhone 7 Plus), though I’ve still not streamlined my life enough to ditch my traditional wallet. </p>

<p>With the dates of Christmas and Chanukah synced this year, smartphones were once again predominate on everyone’s wish lists. The analytics firm of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flurrymobile.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flurry Insights</a> took a look at the most gifted smartphones and tablets this holiday season, examining phone and app activation throughout the week leading up to Christmas day and the start of Chanukah.</p>

<p>Owners of the new MacBook Pros need a way to protect the (very) expensive laptops. WaterField Designs has, yet again, delivered a solution in its US$159 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfbags.com/products/syde-macbook-case" rel="noopener noreferrer">Syde Case</a>.</p>

<p>When we clean our rooms, what is it we are trying to do? By removing all the pollutants out of the air and by giving ourselves clearer and cleaner workspaces, you are removing these factors from the air which can be a key component in fixing a computer. If the air in a room is too thick, too humid, or too warm then the hardware itself can really become affected.</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>LEDVANCE has announced the HomeKit-enabled <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sylvania.com/smart-home" rel="noopener noreferrer">SYLVANIA Smart Multicolor A19 bulb</a>, which can be easily controlled via Siri and Apple’s Home app without a separate hub. The Home app allows users to control all HomeKit accessories in one place, including lights, temperature, locks, garage doors, scenes and more.</p>

<p>The Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro is already pretty durable, but Apple wants to make it even more appealing. The company has been granted a patent (number 9,527,263) for a “stain proof textured fabric.”</p>

<p>The Japanese site, Mac Otakara, (as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/12/27/apple-rumored-to-introduce-5-iphone-7s-in-2017-with-vertical-dual-lens-array" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>) says Apple will add a third form factor to its iPhone lineup in 2017, specifically a mid-sized 5-inch handset said to share internal components next year's 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch "s" cycle offerings. </p>

<p>There's an app for the Android platform — called, appropriately Android: Cal, that has a "Headsup" that I'd love to see implemented in iOS and macOS.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.libratone.com/">Libratone</a>'s first on-ear wireless headphones, the Q Adapt On-Ear, is one of the best audio products I’ve used. It’s flexible, comfortable and has fantastic sound quality. Whether you’re listening to music or watching movies on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone at home, in the office, or on-the-go, this is a fine device.</p>

<p>RCS Software has released Combo Cleaner: Antivirus and System Optimizer 1.0.6, an antivirus and system optimization application for macOS 10.10 and higher. </p>

<p>For the first time ever, Consumer Reports has 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.</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>