Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Apple TV+ has announced a series order for <em>Harriet the Spy</em>, the first animated adaptation of the iconic children’s novel that chronicles the coming-of-age adventures of Harriet M. Welsch.</p>

<p class="">Vendors shipped 31.9 million smartphones in the U.S. in quarter two of 2020, a 5% year-on-year decline, but an 11% quarter-on-quarter increase, according to Canalys. And it was an especially good quarter for Apple.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,742,051) for “wireless charging systems with multiple power receiving devices” that hints that the discontinued AirPower project/device could be revived.</p>

<p class="">watchOS 6 added the Voice Memos app. To use it, tap on the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to see your apps, then:</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 included an ECG function in new Apple Watch models since 2018, providing users in select territories with the ability to measure the electrical activity of their heart. <a href="https://www.macrumors.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors says</a> Apple now appears to be ready to extend the ECG feature to South Korea, based on recent government filings.</p>

<p class="">In the country's first in-person jury trial over patents since the COVID-19 pandemic led to nationwide court closures, a Texas federal jury has ruled thatApple should pay PanOptis and related companies more than US$506 million for willfully infringing patents covering 4G LTE technology, reports <a href="https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/1300409" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Law360</a>.</p>

<p class="">Apple will premiere Tehran, an Israel-Iran spy thriller, on its Apple TV+ streaming service on Sept. 25, reports <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/08/apple-premiere-date-israel-iran-spy-thriller-tehran-1203009964/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deadline</a>.</p>

<p class="">Apple has inked a first-look deal with its director, Martin Scorsese, according to <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/08/martin-scorsese-apple-first-look-deal-sikelia-productions-killers-of-the-flower-moon-1203010010/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deadline</a>. The acclaimed filmmaker (<em>Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, The Irishman, Casino</em>, and more) will base his Sikelia Productions banner at the tech giant in a multi-year deal for film and television projects Scorsese will produce and direct for Apple TV+, Apple’s streaming service.</p>

<p class="">NETGEAR has announced worldwide availability of its <a href="https://cts.vresp.com/c/?Access/dea2948880/1aa24aa061/c30b94ebdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Orbi 4G LTE Advanced WiFi Router</a> (LBR20), which provides an alternative for when traditional wired internet connections are limited or unavailable. Originally introduced at CES 2020, the company say it’s the industry’s first 4G LTE modem with tri-band mesh WiFi.</p>

<p class="">WaterField Designs has announced the US$179 <a href="https://www.sfbags.com/products/tech-folio-16-inch" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tech Folio 16-inch</a>, both a high-capacity tech-accessory organizer and a compact laptop bag for Apple’s MacBook Pro 16-inch, Surface Laptop 3, or similarly sized device. You can pre-order it now; it will ship Aug. 15.</p>

<p class="">OWC says it’s offering the highest capacity memory upgrades available for the new 2020 27-inch iMac 5K — up to a 128GB memory kit users can save up to 78% compared to Apple’s grade upgrade pricing.</p>

<p class="">In a research note shared by <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-12-release-lower-price-no-5g-2021-analyst-2020-8?r=US&IR=T?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=topbar" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business Insider</a>, Wedbush Securities analysts said that Apple may release a cheaper iPhone 12 in early 2021 with no 5G connectivity.</p>

<p class="">Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,739,292) for “systems for detecting cracks in windows” of automobiles. Not big cracks that, of course, would be obvious, but small cracks that might be imperceptible to most of us.</p>

<p class="">Future Apple Pencils could measure the coordinates of a 3D object and create 3D illustrations, as hinted at by a newly granted patent (number 10,739,870) for a “stylus for coordinate measuring.”</p>

<p class="">If you’re looking for indoor or outdoor cameras for a home security system, you should check out the <a href="https://www.eufylife.com/products/variant/eufycam-2c-2cam-kit/T88311D1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eufyCam 2</a>, which integrates with Apple HomeKit. It also offers better battery life and enhanced video resolution than its predecessor.</p>