Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Apple has released the second public beta of macOS Big Sur. 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>.</p>

<p class="">Sometime between 2018 and 2019, Apple reportedly acquired and shut down Camerai (once known as Tipit), an augmented reality and computer vision company based out of Israel.</p>

<p class="">Apple has released the second public beta of watchOS 7. 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>.</p>

<p class="">The global smartwatch market posted a healthy 20% revenue growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic and shipments remaining flat in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest research from <a href="http://www.counterpointresearch.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Counterpoint Research</a>. The top three brands — and Apple was at the top of the top — contributed more than 69% of the total market revenue in the first half of 2020.</p>

<p class="">Apple can’t avoid a lawsuit in which it’s accused of canceling a contract with a janitorial service because the owner is a woman, reports <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-20/apple-can-t-dodge-suit-claiming-sex-bias-for-canceled-contract?sref=MRDu5QV3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloomberg</a>.</p>

<p class="">Synology has released the 5-bay <a href="https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS1520+" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DS1520+ storage system</a>, which is built for home and small office environments that need data backup and multimedia organization options.</p>

<p class="">Mophie, a ZAGG brand, has unveiled four new universal power solutions: the <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=fqyGGs1CyCkShBY0FoHz8xUsBqyUGprSh7wC-fgGPsjh6uLTIEAxrY7QH4YR642hYCX0__mVUC-9HCAdTroUGvv8KJ8aTDB7EY4ELUJmFmM=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">powerstation</a>, <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=fqyGGs1CyCkShBY0FoHz81OdOp_z6tsNgChAF-ws_c5Zu4826Rrb9nNGFul_W3IXTesfvAi8rpa-Zvnwd_YdXKQT73OaX4itQ086dNHspMSlkOAQzGG0o6kq2q0bbivm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">powerstation XXL</a>, <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=fqyGGs1CyCkShBY0FoHz81H-S6QeK4urCnycNbw8uXr8CfDq7IzFyTuQSBvfjodsit49DPGnYeKLZXNiNAcphAeCq9jSpKo1mUaYW8m8_T46DoiMUrE1l5g52z6m8ptOG8Xz0ZINcXE5KlsRpJXfcw=="><span style="text-decoration:underline">powerstation wireless XL</span></a>, and <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=fqyGGs1CyCkShBY0FoHz81H-S6QeK4urCnycNbw8uXqkVeYc-ocTJGw6MW3Xy7bXDS0qxJ2ozna2ILn0VR9CGRUZ1EjlqBeIYwbr2gzW4nyesB83XK6xzuZZUgA3tT07zmYhsHN9JmK7Mw6hg6xvoQ=="><span style="text-decoration:underline">powerstation wireless stand</span></a> each feature the ability to charge multiple devices through a USB-C PD input/output port and USB-A port.</p>

<p class="">Another day, another lawsuit. <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/08/20/apple-sued-over-stage-light-macbook-pro-display-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider reports</a> that a new class-action complaint claims Apple was aware of a MacBook Pro design flaw that caused some units to exhibit backlight display issues.</p>

<p class="">Online smartphone sales in Russia grew by more than 56% year-over-year during quarter two [Q2] of 2020, according to the latest research by <a href="http://www.counterpointresearch.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Counterpoint Research</a>. Apple’s iPhone 11 was in the top four for online channel sales in the country.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200264764) for “systems and methods for enabling low-vision users to interact with a touch-sensitive secondary display.” The goal is, apparently, to beef up the features of the company’s Sidecar feature to allow Mac users with vision problems to more effectively use an iPad as a secondary display.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200264006) for “spatial audio navigation” that, if realized, would allow users of an iPhone, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch, an “Apple Car,” or the rumored “Apple Glasses” (an augmented reality head-mounted display) to follow directions based on audio cues rather than vocal directions or visual cues.</p>

<p class="">The documentary, <a href="https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/umc.cmc.1qiv1lp50dp3aj2jowsr9vpmw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Infinite Canvas</a>, is now available to watch free on the Apple TV app.</p>

<p class="">Western Digital has introduced the new WD brand <a href="https://shop.westerndigital.com/products/portable-drives/wd-my-passport-usb-3-2-ssd#WDBAGF5000ABL-WESN" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">My Passport SSD</a> in capacities up to 2TB. The palm-sized drive boasts a sleek, compact metal design with speeds powered by NVMe technology.</p>

<p class="">As of Tuesday, Beats 1, the flagship global radio station, was renamed Apple Music 1. I wasn’t surprised, and suspect it’s the beginning of the end of the Beats brand.</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: <a href="http://www.macrumors.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MacRumors</a> notes that Apple Pay has gained several new partners in Europe this week, including American Express in the Netherlands, ING in Italy, Santander in Portugal, and UBS in Switzerland, according to a <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206637" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recently updated list on Apple's website</a>. Canadian carrier Rogers has also introduced Apple Pay support for its line of Mastercards.</p>