Dennis Sellers

<p>Though Apple’s automobile plans (known by the nicknames of “Project Titan” andthe “Apple Car”) have reportedly been scaled back, sources who asked not to be identified tell <em>Apple World Today</em> this is far from true. Instead, Apple is basing its self-driving car on its most popular product: the iPhone.</p>

<p>According to a new investor note from Barclays — as noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://9to5mac.com/2017/03/31/iphone-true-tone-display-3d-sensor-2017/" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac</a>, Apple currently plans to bring its True Tone display technology to all three 2017 iPhones. True Tone was introduced with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro (and has yet to make it to the 12.9-inch tablet, though that’s expected to change soon).</p>

<p>While speculation on bidders for Toshiba's NAND business has centered on Broadcom, as well as Micron, Western Digital and SK Hynix, Apple may be among the bidders as well, according to a Japanese publication.</p>

<p>Well, this is interesting considering the <em>Consumer Reports</em> <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/1/12/consumer-reports-retests-and-now-recommends-2016-macbook-pros?rq=Consumer%20Reports" rel="noopener noreferrer">testing hoopla</a> over 2016 MacBook Pro’s battery life): Apple’s Mac laptops are the only current laptops to meet or exceed their makers' battery life according to a report by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.which.co.uk/news/2017/03/which-laptop-battery-tests-manufacturers-overstate/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Which?</em></a>, a British testing publication.</p>

<p>The research group, Research and Markets, has launched its <a target="_blank" href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/3756485/apple-inc-usa-company-reports" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Market Research Portal</a>, a subscription service that will provide visitors with the opportunity to browse a collection of company reports on Apple, as well as in-depth market research and analysis of activities in the consumer electronics, computer software, and online services industries.</p>

<p>With the 2016 MacBook Pro line, Apple ditched the beloved MagSafe connector, which disengaged with the slightest amount of pressure. This saved many Mac laptops from a disastrous plummet when someone accidentally snagged the power cable. However, a recent patent filing (number 20170093104) for a “magnetic adapter” hints that it could return.</p>

<p>Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, has <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/pschiller/status/847719929373577217" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> the official opening of the company’s <a target="_blank" href="https://developer.apple.com/accelerator/" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS App Design and Development Accelerator</a> in Bengaluru, India. Tens of thousands of developers in India make apps for iOS, and this initiative will provide additional, specialized support for them, says Apple CEO Tim Cook. </p>

<p>Raaza has introduced BlipWall 1.0, a photography app for macOS. With it you can create desktop wallpaper from a random selection of your Facebook photos. </p>

<p>Apple's iOS 10.3 update, which was released this week, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-fixes-911-flaw-in-latest-ios-update-1490907451" rel="noopener noreferrer">has reportedly resolved a 911 flaw</a>. At issue was an iPhone feature allowing users to click on a phone number to immediately start a call.</p>

<p>Apple has hired Shiva Rajaraman, a veteran product manager from YouTube and Spotify, to help shape the company’s video strategy, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theinformation.com/apple-hires-former-youtube-exec-to-boost-video-effort" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Information</a>, citing three unnamed “people briefed on the hiring.” </p>

<p>Apple’s first Indonesian research and development (R&D) center is expected to begin operating in the second quarter in Tangerang, Banten, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/03/30/apples-first-rd-center-to-operate-in-second-quarter.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Jakarta Post</em></a>.</p>

<p>Australia will bar its banks from <a target="_blank" href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/apple-australia-idUKS9N1GE00H" rel="noopener noreferrer">collective bargaining with Apple</a> over access to the tech giant's contactless payments. That could set a global precedent, <em>Reuters </em>notes. </p>

<p>Apple has released the first public beta of its next update (10.12.5) for macOS Sierra. It’s a minor update that focuses on bug fixes and speed improvements.</p>

<p>Estimated retail revenues from recorded music in the U.S. grew 11.4% in 2016 to $7.7 billion in 2016, according to a report from the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.riaa.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA</a>). The primary driver of that growth was a doubling of paid streaming music subscriptions such as Apple Music, which helped the American music business experience its biggest gain since 1998. </p>

<p>If you want to buy displays and USB-C peripherals for the 2016 MacBook, scoop ‘em now as discounted prices end tomorrow, March 31. The new MacBook Pro has Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, which have a different connector than that of USB-A devices and cables like the iPhone sync cable. </p>