Dennis Sellers

<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 style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">Apple jumps from fifth place in 2015 to third place in the <a target="_blank" href="http://fortune.com/fortune500/" rel="noopener noreferrer">2016 FORTUNE 500</a>, in which companies are ranked by total revenues for their respective fiscal years. Included in the survey are companies that are incorporated in the U.S. and operate in the U.S. and file financial statements with a government agency.</p>

<p>As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve always had an appreciation for fine wood, which is why I’m a big fan of the products from <a href="http://t.ymlp50.com/ueheataejuyyaiamejaxawjuqw/click.php">Grovemade</a>, a designer of handcrafted wooden and leather accessories. In March the company introduced newly redesigned trays for Apple’s latest versions of the Magic Keyboard and Trackpad, so now my desktop set-up is complete.</p>

<p>The 19th century proved to be one of the most turbulent times in the history of the Japanese Empire. After the events of Total War: Shogun 2, Japan enjoyed a prosperous 200 years of peace. That changes with <a href="https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/mac-games/shogun2twfots/dlc/#dlc6">Total War: Fall of the Samurai</a> ($39.99, from Feral Interactive) for Mac OS X 10.9.5 and higher.</p>

<p>Has this ever happened to you: Your iPhone SPONTANEOUSLY MADE A PHONE CALL FOR NO APPARENT REASON? Friends say, "I'm returning your call," EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW YOU DIDN'T CALL THEM? You see phone numbers in your Recent Calls list BUT YOU KNOW YOU DIDN'T DIAL THEM?  </p>

<p>The Indian government is expected to allow Apple to open its own retail outlets in the country without any sourcing requirement for two-to-three years as it tries to work out an arrangement under which the company will agree to local purchases once it gets a stronger toehold in the country, reports the <a target="_blank" href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/Apple-may-get-2-3-years-breather-on-sourcing-norm/articleshow/52612612.cms" rel="noopener noreferrer">Times of India</a>. </p>

<p>Johnson & Johnson — best known for baby powder and band-aids — has replaced Apple as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.barrons.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Barron’s Most Respected Compan</a>y. In fact, Apple slipped to number three, according to the magazine.</p>

<p>Apple’s share of the U.S. K-12 market has fallen to new lows, according to data released by researcher <a target="_blank" href="http://futuresource-consulting.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Futuresource Consulting</a>. iPads accounted for only 17% of institutional educational purchases in the first quarter of 2016, while Mac laptops accounted for only 4%. In 2013, iPads accounted for nearly 40% of K-12 institutional purchases. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.startech.com/">StarTech.com</a> has announced that it says is the first <a href="http://www.startech.com/TBT3TBTADAP">Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt Adapter</a> on the market, which bridges new Thunderbolt 3 computers to Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 peripheral devices. This gives users the ability to connect their Thunderbolt 3 computers to the ecosystem of Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 devices.</p>

<p>Akitio has announced the $429.99 <a href="http://globalmessaging1.prnewswire.com/clickthrough/servlet/clickthrough?msg_id=8235539&adr_order=162&url=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWtpdGlvLmNvbS9kZXNrdG9wLXN0b3JhZ2UvYWtpdGlvLXRodW5kZXIzLXF1%0AYWQ%3D">Akitio Thunder3 Quad</a>, which the company says is the industry’s first 4-bay, Thunderbolt 3 storage device. It offers fast transfers with the added flexibility of a DisplayPort video output in a form factor small enough for a desktop.</p>

<p>WaterField Designs has introduced the $79 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfbags.com/products/duo-dopp-kit" rel="noopener noreferrer">Duo Dopp Kit</a>, designed for daily or travel use.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/mac-games/xcom2/home/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alien Hunters</a>, the second DLC pack for XCOM 2, is out now. Available to buy separately, or as part of the Reinforcement Pack, Alien Hunters DLC features a narrative-driven mission, new weapons and armor, a new Hunter’s Lodge facility in the Avenger, plus three new “Ruler” alien units to combat.</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>