Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,715,273) for a “motion tracking user interface,” which doubtless involves its efforts in augmented and virtual reality. The company is already building augmented reality tools for developers into the upcoming iOS 11, thought this invention could apply to Macs as well as iPhones and iPads.</p>

<p>New data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners— as noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/07/25/iphone-7-cirp/" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac</a> — shows that, during the April to June quarter, Apple attracted more Android switchers than at any time in the past 12 months. CIRP IRP also reports that the iPhone 7/Plus accounted for 81% of all U.S. iPhone sales in the quarter, at 47% for the standard model and 34% for the Plus.</p>

<p>Universal search, which allows users to find content across multiple apps and services using text or Siri voice search, has expanded for the fourth generation Apple TV. </p>

<p>How would you like your iPhone 9 or iPhone 910 to pack 1TB of memory? That may be possible due to a form of resistive RAM (RRAM) that can purportedly be made using regular equipment at room temperatures. </p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://satechi.net/products/satechi-desk-mat-mate" rel="noopener noreferrer">Satechi’s Desk Mat & Mate</a> is a useful workspace accessory for adults and children. Available in eight colors, it protects any surface area from scratches and spills while also doubling as a comfortable resting surface for your hands while writing, typing, using the mouse or coloring.</p>

<p>Apple offers battery service free of charge with AppleCare+ coverage. For Mac laptops that are out of warranty, there’s a fee of U.S. $199 to have the battery replaced. </p>

<p>Google and Samsung smartphones are gaining on Apple’s iPhone in mobile gaming monetization, according to a new study of 1.4 million players across North America in June from DeltaDNA, as noted by <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2017/07/23/samsung-and-google-are-closing-the-gap-on-apples-monetization-of-mobile-games/">VentureBeat</a>.</p>

<p>Actor Dwayne Johnson — who seems to have found a way to work 25/8 — has teamed up with Apple for an ad promoting Siri, the tech giant’s personal digital assistant. The spot is called <em>The Rock X Siri: Dominate the Day</em> and you can watch it on Apple’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Apple" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube channel</a>. Johnson's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/DwayneJohnson/photos/a.448580834383.229946.406433779383/10155805186044384/?type=3&theater" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook post</a> about the movie says:</p>

<p>JCPenney, one of the largest apparel and home furnishings retailer in the U.S., has announced support for Apple Pay. Apple’s mobile payment system will be available in all stores nationwide.</p>

<p>Elemental Tools has released Firetask Pro, the next generation of Firetask, the project-oriented GTD(R) task management app for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch devices. It’s available at Apple’s various app stores.</p>

<p>Apple is investing in equipment to assist in supplying OLED screens to the "iPhone 8" and beyond according to <em>ET News</em> — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/07/24/apple-investing-in-chemical-deposition-gear-suitable-for-iphone-oled-screen-production" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AppleInsider</em></a>. The tech giant has purchased chemical vapor deposition (CVD) machines from Sunic Systems in Korea, the article adds.  </p>

<p>If you need to convert from one graphics format to another, you need the aptly named GraphicConventer from Lemke Software. It's recently been revved to version 10.4.2, and supports image conversion from over 200 graphic file formats into almost 80 different file formats. </p>

<p>This is why I need to become a professional analyst: one analyst told <a target="_blank" href="http://cnb.cx/1tG37uA" rel="noopener noreferrer">CNBC</a> three years ago that Apple could be "obsolete" in three to 10 years, due to increasing competition and "make-believe" valuations in the technology sector. </p>

<p>Apple has filed for a patent (number 20170206055) for “realtime audio effects control.” Most likely involving future versions of GarageBand on macOS and iOS devices, it’s for music authoring software can provide features that allow users to store music tracks, samples, or other prerecorded music segments and combine the music segments to create an original musical product.</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>