Dennis Sellers

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for still another patent (number 20290339847) for an avatar creation user interface. It’s one of a half-dozen such patent filings.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Qualcomm says it expects 200 million 5G smartphones to be sold in 2020, including flagship devices launching next fall, a reference Wall Street took as a hint that Apple would offer the faster technology next year, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-qualcomm-5g/qualcomms-5g-phone-forecast-for-2020-could-include-iphones-analysts-idUSKBN1XH03Gx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a>.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has made one of the largest-ever corporate issues of environmentally-friendly debt in Europe.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Although Parrott Analytics claims <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2019/11/6/apple-tv-series-launch-sees-tepid-demand">“tepid demand,” </a>“sources close to Apple” <a href="https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/for-all-mankind-morning-show-apple-tv-plus-renew-1203397350/">tell Variety</a> that Apple TV+ reports that the streaming service has drawn millions of users who are spending on average more than an hour on the Apple TV Plus platform. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has released iOS 13.2.2 and iPadOS 13.2.2. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone and/or iPad to install them.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">According to the latest research from <a href="https://www.strategyanalytics.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Strategy Analytics</a>, global smartwatch shipments grew an impressive 42% annually to reach 14 million units in the third quarter of 2019. Apple Watch maintained first position with 48% global smartwatch marketshare, while Samsung held second place, and Fitbit clung on to third.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20290340193) for a “lyric search service” that shows the company wants to improve the ability of Apple Music to find a song based on its lyrics. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">A new Apple patent filing (number 20290341677) for “antenna assemblies for watch bands” hints that future bands for the Apple Watch could pack a built-in antenna.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has announced a new benefit to help smooth the transition back to work for new parents, reports<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90426396/apple-announces-policy-intended-to-ease-transition-back-to-work-for-new-parents" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Fast Company</a>. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has made the first public betas of iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3 available. The public betas are available on <a href="https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple's Beta Software Program website</a>. Just remember that beta software, so proceed with care.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The 2019 <a href="https://www.fcpxcreativesummit.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Final Cut Pro Creative Summit</a> kicks off tomorrow, so I’m predicting the modular Mac Pro and Apple Pro Display XDR will be available — or at least dates on their availability announced. Also, if the same info isn’t released regarding the rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro, then I think we can safely say that it won’t arrive until spring 2020.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have announced that veterans across the nation and surrounding territories now have access to the Health Records feature in the Health app on the iPhone. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Former Apple exec, Scott Noteboom, has joined data center specialist, <a href="https://www.submer.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Submer Technologies</a>, as chief technology officer (CTO).</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Fibank (First Investment Bank), in cooperation with Mastercard, has launched the Apple Pay service. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Analysis of the U.S. market indicates that Apple’s shows for its Apple TV+ generated fairly modest levels of demand immediately post-release based on data from <a href="https://www.parrotanalytics.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parrot Analytics </a>— as noted by <a href="https://www.variety.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Variety</a>.</p>