Dennis Sellers

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,626,720) for “linked user accounts” that would allow separate Apple ID user accounts to be linked into a group of linked user accounts so that content items assigned to each of the user accounts can be accessed by each user account in the group. </p>

<p>I take photos. Lots of photos. I snap most of 'em with my iPhone 7s Plus (a great digital camera, by the way). My Photos library has approximately a million images (well, okay, I’m exaggerating). A lot of them are duplicates, or very similar, and should be trashed. But I'm too lazy to undertake the process manually.</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>Apple will be introducing an Apple Music chat extension to Facebook Messenger, making it possible for folks to bring the music streaming app into conversations with friends and family members and share music, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/18/apple-music-is-coming-to-facebook-messenger/" rel="noopener noreferrer">VentureBeat.</a></p>

<p>Apple is removing the price tag from its Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie and GarageBand apps and making ‘em all free for macOS and iOS users.</p>

<p>Yesterday, <em>AWT</em> posted a <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/4/17/how-to-force-the-trash-to-empty-in-macos-sierra" rel="noopener noreferrer">“how-to”</a> on “how to force the Trash to empty in macOS Sierra.” My buddy and sometime-<em>AWT</em> contributor, Frank Petrie, has another suggestion.</p>

<p>Many of us were expecting updated iPad Pros last month, but they may be coming soon. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro stock situation appears to be dwindling, with nearly no stock of popular models in high-volume stores, and an expected refresh date across the board of May 16, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/04/18/availability-of-apples-129-ipad-pro-slips-to-may-as-rumored-update-looms" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>.</p>

<p>Apple has released the second public betas of macOS Sierra 10.12.5 and iOS 10.3.2 public beta number two. The former is a minor update that focuses on bug fixes and speed improvements.The latter offers under-the-hood bug fixes and security improvements.</p>

<p>CEO James Citron of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pledgeling.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pledgeling</a>, a “SaaS (software as a service) platform that powers purpose and social impact,” says it’s the first US-based social enterprise and third-party platform approved by Apple to accept donations via Apple Pay through its mobile-first technology, including donation forms, mobile messaging tools and corporate giving solutions.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.cntraveler.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Condé Nast Traveler</em></a> has released its 21st annual HOT LIST AWARDS issue, which features the first-ever travel publication cover to be shot using an iPhone 7 Plus.</p>

<p>Gumdrop Cases has released the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gumdropcases.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">DropTech case</a> for the 13-inch MacBook Pro (with Touch Bar support). The bumpers in each corner are made from 10mm of silicone to maximize protection without being overly bulky. </p>

<p>pple has been granted a patent (number 9,625,948) for “electronic devices with retractable displays” that hints at intriguing future iOS and macOS devices. If applied to Macs, the invention might bring more touchscreen features to the computer. Or it could be a new device altogether (an “electronic newspaper/magazine,” perhaps).</p>

<p>Apple is expected to begin production of two new iMacs in May for an official launch in the second half of the year, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20170412PD203.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>DigiTimes</em></a>, quoting unnamed “sources from Taiwan-based supply chain makers,” who add that a server-grade iMac for the high-end sector is also in the works.</p>

<p>Unwired Planet has announced that it has settled its patent infringement suit with Apple, just as a California federal trial was set to begin, ending more than four years of litigation that Apple said was frivolous and Unwired said was worth an estimated $33 million. Details of the settlement haven’t been disclosed.</p>

<p>If you need a video player/editor app that focuses on playback and basic editing that can be done on a single video without the need for a timeline or project, check out Corduroy Code’s $29.99 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.videoloupe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Videoloupe</a> for macOS 10.2 and higher. It’s designed to bridge the gap between basic video players and professional editing suites.</p>