Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Most of the young folks I know don't carry much — or any— cash. Twelve South's new US$49.99 <a href="https://www.twelvesouth.com/products/surfacepad-for-iphone?variant=31533373456441" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SurfacePad</a> for the iPhone 11 line-up is great for such folks who don't need a bulky, super protective case.</p>

<p class="">This doesn't affect Apple Arcade, Apple’s game streaming service, as well as the rumored <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2020/4/20/the-sellers-research-group-looks-at-the-flurry-of-new-apple-rumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple game controller</a>, but it could have a residual effect: according to <a href="https://www.npd.com/">The NPD Group</a>, March tracked spending across video game hardware, software, accessories and game cards totaled US$1.6 billion, gaining 35%when compared to the same time period last year.</p>

<p class="">As noted by<a href="https://9to5mac.com/2020/04/23/tim-cook-joins-bbc-pandemic-relief-event-promises-signficant-apple-donation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> 9to5Mac</a>, Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared on the BBC and shared that Apple is making a big contribution to the network’s entertainment relief event <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/bignightin/">“The Big Night In.”</a></p>

<p class="">Apple has given a straight-to-series order to The Shrink Next Door for its Apple TV+ streaming service, reports <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/04/apple-will-ferrell-paul-rudd-limited-tv-series-the-shrink-next-door-podcast-michael-showalter-georgia-pritchett-1202916186/"><span style="text-decoration:underline">Deadline</span></a>. It's an eight-episode limited series starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd, which is based on the #1 new podcast of 2019 by Wondery and Bloomberg Media.</p>

<p class="">In a note to clients -- as noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/04/23/third-generation-airpods-expected-in-2021-new-airpods-pro-in-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider </a>-- analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts we'll see a premium Apple-branded headset later this year, third generation AirPods next year, and new AirPods Pro in 2022.</p>

<p class="">According to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/apple-offers-exclusive-brand-stores-financial-support-cos-like-hul-and-itc-extend-payment-term/articleshow/75328654.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Economic Times</a>, Apple has paid its 500-odd exclusive stores in India to cover two months of their rent and salaries for store staff, apart from providing additional credit period of 60 days to help them tide over business disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p class="">The second generation iPhone SE is due to start arriving to customers tomorrow. When it does, they’ll be able to install a special iOS 13.4.1 update that Apple released today.</p>

<p class="">OWC has announced availability of a 4TB M.2 drive. For the first time ever, the new <a href="https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/aura-p12" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4TB Aura P12 M.2 NVMe SSDs</a> will be utilized in OWC’s Envoy Pro EX line (Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C) for 4TB of portable storage, as well as the ThunderBlade and Accelsior 4M2, which will each now offer up to 16TB of storage.</p>

<p class="">Apple and Samsung are teaming up to launch an Apple Music app for Samsung smart TVs, reports <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/23/21231790/samsung-smart-tv-apple-music-app-available" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Verge</a>. This is the time time Apple has offered an Apple Music app for any smart TV platform other than its own Apple TV set-top box.</p>

<p class="">Macs may one day be able to generate 3D images from pics and videos taken with an iPhone, iPad, or with the FaceTime camera on an Apple desktop or laptop. The tech giant has applied for a patent (number 20200125835) for “generating animated 3D models from captured images.”</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a sixth patent (number 20200125193) for “electronic devices with sidewall displays” that involves iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watch bands with displays on the side of the screen, as well as the main display.</p>

<p class="">Apple will release at least one Mac with its own custom-designed ARM-based processor next year, reports <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-23/apple-aims-to-sell-macs-with-its-own-chips-starting-in-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloomberg</a>.</p>

<p class="">Another day, another lawsuit. As noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/04/22/lawsuit-alleges-apple-involved-in-flagrant-music-piracy-on-itunes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>, Apple is being sued (again) for allegedly distributing and profited off pirated re-recordings of musical compositions through iTunes</p>

<p class=""><a href="http://www.financialnewsmedia.com/"><span style="text-decoration:underline">Financial News Media</span></a> lists Tim Cook among the “seven visionaries shaping the future of transportation.” Here's what the publication has to say about Apple's CEO:</p>

<p class="">Missouri Senator Josh Hawley is calling for Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai to be held personally accountable for any potential privacy issues or misuse of the companies’ joint contact tracing technology development, reports <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/04/22/senator-demands-tim-cook-be-personally-accountable-for-coronavirus-contact-tracing-privacy-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>.</p>