Dennis Sellers

<p>Still think that there's no room for growth or innovation on the Mac? Well, to the naysayers I must point out that there's plenty of room for both.</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>Writing for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pcmag.com/commentary/345453/apple-should-spin-off-the-macintosh" rel="noopener noreferrer">PC Mag</a>, the controversial John C. Dvorak says that Apple should spin off the Mac into its own company. Sorry, but that’s a bad idea — and it certainly won’t happen.</p>

<p>Shenzhen Baili, the Chinese company <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/6/17/beijing-intellectual-property-office-the-iphone-66plus-copies-bailis-100c-phone?rq=Baili" rel="noopener noreferrer">that won a Beijing patent office ruling</a> that the iPhone 6 copied its own Baili 100C smartphone (pictured), apparently is no longer operating.</p>

<p>Apple’s universal search feature for the fourth-generation Apple TV now supports A&E, History, Lifetime, Cooking Channel, DIY, Food Network, Travel Channel FYI, and HGTV. Unfortunately, the universal search list is pretty much limited to those in the U.S. </p>

<p>Apple has added 44 new institutions to the banks and credit unions supporting Apple Pay in the U.S. You can view the full list on Apple’s <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204916">website here</a>.</p>

<p>The $24.99 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stylussling.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stylus Sling</a> is a one-trick pony, but it’s a nifty trick. It’s a “sling” that holds the Apple Pencil on a 12.9-inch or 9.7-inch iPad Pro.</p>

<p>This is a totally selfish column, so feel free to move on if you wish. But I want Apple to open a retail store in my end of Nashville, TN (that would be the north side).</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>A group of ex-Apple networking engineers, led by Jason Forrester, who had worked on a secret internal project to free the company’s reliance on cloud services from outside vendors has left to start a new networking startup called SnapRoute (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.snaproute.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.snaproute.com</a>, reports <a href="http://www.recode.net/2016/6/21/11981416/apple-snaproute-project-mcqueen">recode</a>). Apple isn’t involved.</p>

<p>This may be wishful thinking, but whenever Apple updates its Mac lines this year (I’m expecting August and September announcements), the Mac Pro might finally be among the revamped systems. A clue in an El Capitan info-list file MAY hint at just that, reports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.portableone.com/Tech-News/Clue-found-in-El-Capitan-hints-at-a-Mac-Pro-update" rel="noopener noreferrer">PortableOne.</a></p>

<p>About 50 former Apple employees are working at a start-up called <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pearlauto.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pearl,</a> which is making smart accessories for vehicles, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theverge.com/2016/6/21/11982104/pearl-rearvision-rearview-camera-apple-veterans" rel="noopener noreferrer">Verge</a>. The company was co-founded by three former Apple engineers, a crew that helped lead the design and development on several generations of iPods and iPhones.</p>

<p>If you have a child ages 8 to 12, you can sign ‘em up for Apple Camp <a target="_blank" href="https://concierge.apple.com/camp/choosestore/en_US" rel="noopener noreferrer">by clicking here</a>. Apple Camp is a three-day program held at your local Apple retail store.</p>

<p>GigSky, an international wireless carrier and mobile technology company, will offer cellular data plans for iPad travelers with Apple SIM in over 140 countries, including “all top travel destinations,” as well as Ecuador, Argentina, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Isle of Man, and The Virgin Islands — up from more than 90 countries and territories.</p>

<p>Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product, so here are today’s patent highlights:</p>