Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Apple <a href="https://www.apple.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has announced</a> that its retail stores are closed until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak.</p>

<p class="">The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) says it will open an investigation into possible patent violations involving touch-controlled mobile phones, computers and computer parts by Apple, Amazon, and other companies following a complaint filed by Neodron Ltd of Ireland, reports <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trade-tech-probe/u-s-trade-body-opens-patent-probe-after-complaint-by-irelands-neodron-idUSL1N2B962I" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a>.</p>

<p class="">Eight Apple products have made <a href="https://fortune.com/longform/100-best-designs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fortune’s list </a>of “the greatest designs of modern times." The magazine has partnered with the IIT Institute of Design to poll educators, influencers, freelance designers, and corporate design teams on the creations they consider truly great.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/03/apples-covid-19-response/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple has announced</a> that all of its retail stores outside of the Greater China region are closed through March 27 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Now the tech giant has posted a <a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/store/temporary_closures" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">series of frequently asked questions</a> about the situation.</p>

<p class="">Apple’s Beats subsidary has announced new Powerbeats wireless earphones that replace the Powerbeats3 Wireless and cost 149. They’ll be available March 18.</p>

<p class="">Autorité de la Concurrence, France's antitrust body has fined Apple 1.1 billion euros ($1.23 billion) for anti-competitive behavior in its distribution network and an abuse of economic dependence on its resellers, reports <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-apple-competition-france/french-antitrust-body-fines-apple-1-1-billion-euros-for-anti-competitive-behaviour-idUKKBN2131DP" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a>.</p>

<p class="">Apple’s rumored “Apple Glasses” may utilize wireless charging per a new patent filing (number 20200081490) by the tech giant.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 10,586,482) for an “electronic device with an ambient light sensor system.” Electronic devices such as laptop computers, cellular telephones, and other equipment are sometimes provided with light sensors.</p>

<p class="">Apple has informed Apple Card holders suffering from the impact of the coronavirus that they can enroll in a new financial assistance program that allows them to skip the March payment without interest charging for that billing cycle.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/03/apples-covid-19-response/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple says</a> that all of its retail stores outside of the Greater China region are closed through March 27 due to coronavirus outbreak.</p>

<p class="">Apple has <a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=03142020a" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> that it's evaluating apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 10,586,372) for “online modeling for real-time facial animation” involving its Animoji and Memoji features, as well as other applications.</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="">VirnetX says it's received payment of $454,033,859.87, representing the previously announced judgment with interest in the “VirnetX Inc. v. Apple case.”</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundguard/id1484566760" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Roundguard</a> for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV is the latest game for Apple Arcade, Apple’s game streaming service.</p>