Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Apple has given a straight-to-series order for an untitled four-part documentary series from filmmakers Brian Lazarte and James Lee Hernandez, directors of the docuseries <em>McMillion$</em>. Multiple bidders were in the mix and it was a seven-figure deal, according to <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/05/mcmillions-directors-apple-seven-figure-deal-docuseries-government-fraud-scandal-brian-lazarte-james-lee-hernandez-1202937459/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deadline</a>.</p>

<p class="">Apple has released watchOS 6.2.5, which makes the ECG app and irregular hearth rhythm notifications on an Apple Watch Series 4 available in Saudi Arabia. It also provides new Pride watch faces.</p>

<p class="">A report at <a href="https://www.displaysupplychain.com/blog/iphone-12-and-foldable-galaxy-leaks" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Display Supply Chain Consultants</a> (DSCC) offers details on Apple’s upcoming iPhone 12 line-up. The report says there will be four different models: the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 (starting at US$649), the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max (starting at $749), the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro (starting at $999), and the iPhone 12 Pro Max (starting at $1,099).</p>

<p class="">Apple journalist Mark Gurman <a href="https://twitter.com/markgurman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1262393215870816257&ref_url=https://www.macrumors.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has tweeted</a> that Apple employees can now buy up to 10 HomePods (previously, the limit was two) with their discount, so “these things are clearly on the way out.”</p>

<p class="">France will tax big digital businesses such as Apple this year whether there’s progress or not towards an international deal on a levy, according to Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, adding such a tax has “never been more legitimate or more necessary,” reports <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-digital-tax/france-to-go-ahead-with-digital-tax-this-year-regardless-of-possible-international-deal-idUSKBN22Q25B" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a>.</p>

<p class="">FORTUNE has announced the 66th <a href="https://fortune.com/fortune500/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FORTUNE 500,</a> its annual list of the largest corporations in the U.S., ranked by revenue for the 2019 fiscal year. Apple places fourth on the list compared to third place last year.</p>

<p class="">UBTECH Education has announced Camp:ASPIRE, At-home Summer Programs in Robotics & Engineering, designed to immerse children in hands-on STEM learning activities, design challenges, and creative fun with robots.</p>

<p class="">Apple says it <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-17/apple-says-nearly-100-stores-globally-have-reopened-their-doors?srnd=premium" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">plans to reopen several North American stores this week</a> that had been shut due to the pandemic, including more than 25 across the U.S. and 12 in Canada.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (20200152165) for “acoustic filler including acoustically active beads and expandable filler" that hints at even better speakers on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.</p>

<p class="">Another day, another lawsuit. Ubisoft Entertainment has sued Apple and Google, accusing the companies of selling a ripoff of its popular video game “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege,” reports <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-16/ubisoft-sues-apple-google-over-alibaba-s-rainbow-six-ripoff" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloomberg</a>.</p>

<p class="">With PRMac — which has been in the press release creation/distribution business since 1999 — shutting down April 30, Steve Sande and Yours Truly of <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple World Today</a> are launching PRApple.Media to fill the void.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,649636) for “systems and methods for enabling low-vision users to interact with a touch-sensitive secondary display such as the Touch Bar on some Mac laptops.</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="">According to <a href="https://www.law360.com/articles/1274063" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Law360</a>, U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila has preliminarily approved Apple's US$500 million deal to end multi-district litigation accusing the company of releasing updates that slowed down the performance of certain iPhones, but extended the final approval deadlines in light of the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p class="">KO_OP's <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/winding-worlds/id1435217827" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Winding Worlds</a> is this week's addition to Apple Arcade, Apple’s US$4.99/month or $49.99/year game streaming service. It's available for the the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and, yes, Mac.</p>