Dennis Sellers

<p class=""><a href="https://www.axios.com/exclusive-apple-faces-multi-state-consumer-protection-probe-9d0bca88-b634-46f4-8a89-3181e5b3a992.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Axios reports</a> that several states are investigating Apple for potentially deceiving consumers, according to a March <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6999041-Texas-AG-Apple-27-March-2020.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">document</a> uncovered by a tech watchdog group, the Tech Transparency Project (TTP).</p>

<p class="">Apple has announced a series order for <em>Shining Girls</em>, a new “metaphysical thriller” based on the 2013 best-selling novel by Lauren Beukes and starring Emmy Award winner Elisabeth Moss (<em>The Handmaid’s Tale, Mad Me, The Invisible Man</em>).</p>

<p class="">Apple has posted the second public betas of iOS 14 and iPad OS 14. 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="">Plex <a href="https://www.plex.tv/blog/the-one-where-plex-announces-free-streaming-live-tv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has announced</a> free Live TV in all 220+ countries that Plex serves. It provides 80+ channels (plus even more coming soon) in addition to the 14,000 (and counting) free movies, documentaries, and TV shows you can find on Plex on-demand.</p>

<p class="">Apple co-founder Steve “Woz” Wozniak is leading a lawsuit against YouTube and its parent company Google, accusing the tech giants of allowing the spread of a scam that has fleeced Bitcoin investors by using Wozniak's image to convince them to send cryptocurrency to online crooks, reports <a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1294635/steve-wozniak-leads-suit-against-youtube-over-bitcoin-scam?nl_pk=ade0cf2b-ea3f-464b-bc93-d8e19277ac63&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Law360</a> (a subscription is required to read the entire article).</p>

<p class="">A new Apple patent filing (number 20200236489) for “predictive head-tracked binaural audio recording” hints at even better audio for upcoming AirPods, AirPods Pro, or the rumored <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2020/7/21/rumored-airpods-studio-may-sport-headphone-rotation-detection" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Apple Studio” </a>over-the-ear headset. If realized, the earbuds and/or headset could adjust incoming audio based on a user’s head movements.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for three patents related to the rumored “Apple Glasses,” an augmented reality/virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD).</p>

<p class="">Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, we’ll frequently offer a wrap-up of news items you should check out. First up: Apple has posted <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/07/apple-creatives-and-disability-rights-activists-reflect-on-30-years-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">an article</a> on its News site in which “Apple, creatives, and disability rights activists reflect on 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”</p>

<p class="">An <a href="https://www.analysisgroup.com/globalassets/insights/publishing/apples_app_store_and_other_digital_marketplaces_a_comparison_of_commission_rates.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple-commissioned study</a> by the Analysis Group, an economic consulting firm, was designed to compare the commission rates of Apple’s App Store with those of other app stores and digital marketplaces, and to evaluate the App Store commission and associated rules in the context of the business model used both by digital marketplaces and platforms in general.</p>

<p class="">Apple has launched a new <a href="https://developer.apple.com/programs/security-research-device/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Security Research Device Program</a> for developers. The tech giant says it’s designed to help improve security for all iOS users, bring more researchers to iPhone, and improve efficiency for those who already work on iOS security.</p>

<p class="">Apple has updated <a href="https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/">GarageBand</a> for macOS to version 10.3.5. It contains stability improvements and bug fixes and is available at the Mac App Store.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boydcorp.com&esheet=52253048&newsitemid=20200722005028&lan=en-US&anchor=Boyd+Corporation&index=1&md5=7b0c22328c9d96bf35c0e6c1982ad5a5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Boyd Corporation</a> — which specializes in engineered materials, thermal management and environmental sealing solutions — has announced its commitment to Apple’s Clean Energy Program, which is focused on transitioning suppliers to clean, renewable energy.</p>

<p class="">The Autorit Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), Italy’s antitrust authority, has opened an investigation into whether Apple and Amazon have engaged in anti-competitive cooperation in the sale of Apple products and Beats headphones, reports <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-italy-antitrust/italy-opens-antitrust-probe-into-amazon-apple-over-sale-of-beats-headphones-idUSKCN24N1A6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a>. (Beats Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple.)</p>

<p class="">A senior Australian lawmaker has blames Apple and Google for flaws with the country’s COVID-19 contact tracing app. However, Government Services Minister Stuart Robert disagrees and says that the COVIDSafe app is working “just as intended,” according to <a href="https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6173821945001" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sky News</a>.</p>

<p class="">In a note to clients — as noted by <a href="http://www.macrumors.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a> — analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Semco, the best Korean lens supplier, and Sunny Optical, the best Chinese lens supplier, will enter the Apple lens supply chain in the second half of 2020 and 2021, respectively.</p>