Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Apple’s official adoption of the Qi inductive charging standard in 2017 settled the standards battle for inductive charging, according to <a href="http://www.strategyanalytics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Strategy Analytics</a>. With the industry coalescing around the WPC’s standard, the focus is now on improving the consistency and reliability of the user experience of wireless charging, the research group adds.</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="">As noted by <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2020/06/05/apple-retail-store-coronavirus-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac</a>, Apple stores in Turkey will reopen June 8. There are three of the company’s retail stores in the country in Osmangazi, Besitas/Istanbul (pictured), and Uskudar/Istanbul.</p>

<p class="">There’s been some debate as to whether Apple’s upcoming iPhone 12 will debut in the early fall timeframe as is the norm with the company’s new smartphone debut. A new report says that the rollout will likely be delayed .</p>

<p class=""><em>Bloomberg</em> reports that Apple employees <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-04/apple-offering-covid-19-testing-to-staff-returning-to-offices">face</a> a number of workplace changes when they report back to work in person after working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p class="">The documentary series “Dear.…” is now available on Apple TV+. Inspired by Apple’s “Dear Apple” spots, it takes a cinematic approach to biographies of iconic figures in society today by using letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work.</p>

<p class="">In a new Apple Pay promotion, you can use Apple’s mobile payment system in the Burger King app and get a Crispy Chicken Sandwich for US$1 through June 10. You can redeem in the Offers tab for contactless pickup or delivery.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200175890) for a “device, method, and graphical user interface for a group reading environment.” It involves the use of devices such as the iPad in educational settings.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://www.essence-grp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Essence Group</a>, a provider of IoT [Internet of things] solutions for security, connected home and healthcare, has joined Apple, the Zigbee Alliance, and others as a member in the "<a href="http://www.connectedhomeip.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Project Connected Home over IP</a>" initiative.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 20200174583) for “computer systems with finger devices for sampling objects attributes.” It involves using finger devices (not gloves) to control Macs, iPads, and perhaps the rumored “Apple Glasses.”</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 20200174284) for a ‘head-mounted display device with vision correction” that hints at “Apple Glasses” that can be equipped with prescription lens for those of us who have to wear glasses.</p>

<p class="">In a note to investors — as noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/06/04/apple-tv-predicted-to-hit-100-million-subscribers-by-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a> — lead analyst Samik Chatterjee says he thinks that Apple TV+ could hit 100 million paid subscribers by fiscal year 2025.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-electronics/ex-apple-engineers-aim-to-help-u-s-hardware-makers-troubleshoot-from-home-idUSKBN23B226?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtechnologyNews+%28Reuters+Technology+News%29" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a> reports that startup founded by ex-Apple Inc engineer has come up with a system that would help engineers troubleshoot manufacturing problems remotely. This, of course, could be a lifesaver in situations just as the current COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p class="">Apple has appointed Ipsita Dasgupta as the country manager of India to head its services that includes its app stores, Apple Music, iCloud, and Apple TV+, reports <a href="https://yourstory.com/herstory/2020/06/apple-india-ipsita-dasgupta-hotstar-streaming-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HerStory.</a></p>

<p class="">More counties are turning to the Apple/Google developed tech for COVID-19 contact tracing, reports <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-europe-tech/europe-pins-hopes-on-smarter-coronavirus-contact-tracing-apps-idUSKBN23B1OA?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtechnologyNews+%28Reuters+Technology+News%29" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a>. The article says that Switzerland, Latvia and Italy have opted for Bluetooth short-range radio for their apps, based on the tech that securely logs exchanges on the smartphones of people who have been near each other.</p>