Dennis Sellers

<p>A federal jury in Delaware has hit Apple with a $3 million damages verdict Wednesday after ruling that some of the company’s iPhone models infringe a MobileMedia Ideas owned patent covering incoming phone call alert sounds. MobileMedia sued Apple in 2010, claiming it infringed 14 patents for electronics. </p>

<p>The <em>Financial Times</em> <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/523422ba-7ffd-11e6-8e50-8ec15fb462f4">reports</a> via its subscription-only website that Apple has approached McLaren Technology Group, the British supercar engineer and Formula One team owner, about a potential acquisition, “in the clearest sign yet that the iPhone maker is seeking to transform the automotive industry.” However, McLaren has <a href="https://twitter.com/CNBCnow/status/778637305292685313">issued a statement in response</a>, rejecting the report and denying any discussions with Apple about a potential investment.</p>

<p>In a note to clients — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/09/21/apple-seen-building-75m-iphone-7-units-by-end-of-2016-focusing-on-7-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a> — J.P. Morgan's Asia Pacific research team says closer to 75 million units by the end of the year instead of a previous estimate of 70 million.</p>

<p>The latest release of wearable device data from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kantarworldpanel.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kantar Worldpanel ComTec</a>h shows that, as of July 2016, 15.2% of U.S. consumers own either a smartwatch or fitness band, with the EU4 (Great Britain, Germany, France, and Italy) following behind at 8.1% penetration. </p>

<p>The third edition of the <a target="_blank" href="https://awards.brandingforum.org/the-awards/" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Branding Award</a>s saw 210 brands from 30 countries named “Brand of the Year” in a ceremony held in the main entrance and orangery at Kensington Palace on Tuesday. Apple was among the winners.</p>

<p>Developments in display interface technologies are making it possible such that your personal mobile device -- such as the iPad -- may become the hub for all your computing experiences at home, in the office, and on-the-go over the next two years, according to ABI Research. </p>

<p>I’m sure you ordered your new Apple Watch with a band you really like. However, if you get bored with it, or simply want to swap out bands for different occasions, it’s easy to do by using the band release buttons on the back of the smartwatch.</p>

<p>When it comes to universal stands for cell phones and small tablets, they don't get more sturdy, durable or manly (think the "Ford tough" commercials), than the $80 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iomounts.com/products/iomini" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOmini</a>. However, it does have some drawbacks. For example, it doesn’t work well at all with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.</p>

<p>iTunes S.à r.l., Apple’s Luxembourg holding company,  will complete its merger with Apple Distribution International in Cork, Ireland, on Sept. 25, and will relocate its business from Luxembourg to Cork in early 2017. The distribution center facilitates operations for the call center, sales, manufacturing, service and OEM management for products sold in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160920006782/en/">IHS Makit estimates</a> that a 32GB iPhone 7 requires $219.80 in bill of materials costs. The firm's preliminary analysis further reasons an additional $5 basic manufacturing cost, bringing the total cost to produce the above-mentioned configuration to $224.80 (that’s an unsubsidized retail price of $649). </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>Another day, another lawsuit. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.andreaelectronics.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Andrea Electronics</a>, which sells PureAudio Pro Recorder and Live Recorder apps for iOS devices is suing Apple on five counts of patent infringement relating to noise cancellation technology, reports <a href="http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2016/09/andrea-electronics-who-sells-audio-related-apps-for-ios-devices-is-suing-apple-over-noise-cancellation-technologies.html">Patently Apple</a>.</p>

<p>Apple has released a finished version of macOS X Sierra. It’s a free download at the Mac App Store. Sierra requires a 2009 iMac, 2009 MacBook, 2010 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, or Mac Pro.</p>

<p>After almost two decades of decline caused by piracy and falling prices, the music business is enjoying a fragile recovery thanks to the growth of paid streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify.</p>

<p><em>Reader’s Digest</em> has announced the results of its second annual Trusted Brands Survey, published in the October issue (on newsstands today). Apple was the “most trusted brand” in the “mobile phone” category, though Dell was the “most trusted brand” in the “computer” category (say what?).</p>