Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Last week Apple <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2020/7/16/future-apple-pencils-may-be-able-to-sample-and-reproduce-colors" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">filed for a patent </a>for a future iteration of the Apple Pencil that could sample and reproduce colors. Today the tech giant was granted a patent (number 10,725,544) that would see haptics (touch sensations) added to the device.</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 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U48vnfP0Rjo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">released a trailer</a> for the second season of the Apple TV + series, <em>For All Mankind</em>.</p>

<p class="">Apple TV+ and Oprah Winfrey today announced “The Oprah Conversation,” a new series that will explore “impactful and relevant topics with fascinating thought leaders from all over the world.” It will debut on Apple TV+ on Thursday, July 30, at 4 p.m. (Eastern).</p>

<p class="">Claris International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple, is welcoming the global Claris Community to a free, virtual Engage 2020 conference on August 4 and 5. Although the COVID-19 pandemic prevented a traditional in-person event, it accelerated the demand for software-powered innovation known as "digital transformation,” according to Claris CEO Brad Freitag.</p>

<p class="">Apple TV+ was honored today by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with two Daytime Emmy Awards, and became the first streaming service to win a Daytime Emmy in its first year of eligibility at the 47th Annual Daytime Emmys.</p>

<p class="">Taylor Swift’s unexpected new album, <em>folklore</em>, dominated on the global streaming platforms, reports <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/07/taylor-swift-folklore-scoring-huge-sales-1202994137/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deadline</a>. Spotify said Swift’s total of 79.4 million streams is a new record for an album by a female artist. Apple Music’s total of 35.47 million is a new high for a pop album.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 20200234481) for “virtual avatar animation based on facial feature movement” that hints at fun new features for its Animoji’s and Memoji.</p>

<p class="">There have been <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2020/07/26/new-imac-2020-rumors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">two recent rumors </a>about an iMac refresh. I hope at least one of these is wrong.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,719,969) for “optimized avatar zones” related to its Animoji and Memoji features.</p>

<p class="">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 this week’s picks.</p>

<p class="">Apple <a href="https://apple-tv-plus-press.apple.com/en-US/news/2020/07/apple-partners-with-werner-herzog-and-clive-oppenheimer-on-new-original-documentary-fireball/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has announced </a><em>Fireball</em>, an original feature documentary directed by filmmaker Werner Herzog and professor Clive Oppenheimer.</p>

<p class="">Apple <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/07/apple-donates-its-proceeds-from-john-lewis-documentary-to-museums-that-honor-his-legacy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has announced</a> that, in tribute to the life and legacy of civil rights hero and US Congressman John Lewis, it will donate its portion of the proceeds from the documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble” to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Foverwatchdh.com%2F&esheet=52255509&newsitemid=20200724005334&lan=en-US&anchor=Overwatch+Technologies&index=1&md5=1d711ed749c303785d88fccdcb52227f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Overwatch Technologies</a> has launched an Apple Watch solution offering real-time seizure monitoring, alerts and reports to help improve the quality of life for people living with epilepsy and their loved ones.</p>

<p class="">Last week Apple’s WWII drama <em>Greyhound</em>, starring and written by Tom Hanks, has become the largest opening-weekend release ever for Apple TV+, including series that have bowed on the service, sources close to Apple told <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/07/tom-hanks-greyhound-apple-tv-opening-weekend-record-breaker-1202985492/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deadline</a>. With that success in mind, <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90531251/apple-eyes-new-streaming-strategy-after-tom-hanks-drama-breaks-records" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fast Company</a> says the tech giant’s ambitions in feature films are “being amped up to (almost) Netflix-like levels.”</p>

<p class="">The Lullaby of Life is this week's addition to <a href="https://www.apple.com/apple-arcade/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Arcade</a>, Apple’s US$4.99/month or $49.99/year game streaming service that has over 120 games,. It's available for the the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.</p>