Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Apple has won an auction for an untitled Africa-set thriller starring Idris Elba, reports <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/08/idris-elba-apple-script-auction-simon-kinberg-africa-thriller-travon-free-audrey-chon-1203013481/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deadline</a>. He’ll produce the film with Genre Films’ Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon producing.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/next-stop-nowhere/id1466708191"><span style="text-decoration:underline">Next Stop Nowhere</span></a> is this week's addition to <a href="https://www.apple.com/apple-arcade/"><span style="text-decoration:underline">Apple Arcade</span></a>, Apple’s US$4.99/month or $49.99/year game streaming service that has over 120 games,. It's available for the the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.</p>

<p class="">In an email to Apple Card users about their statements, Apple again says "we understand that the COVID-19 situation poses unique challenges for everyone and some customers may have difficulty making their monthly payments.” Apple has been doing this since March.</p>

<p class="">Apple’s <a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MUF82AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter</a> lets you connect your USB-C-enabled Mac or iPad Pro to an HDMI display, while also connecting a standard USB device and a USB-C charging cable. The adapter allows you to mirror your Mac display to your HDMI-enabled TV or display.</p>

<p class="">Need a cool, durable bag for carrying your non-tech goodies (and, well, even some of them)? WaterField Designs’ <a href="https://www.sfbags.com/products/outbound-canvas-tote" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Outbound Canvas Tote</a> is a great, though not inexpensive, option.</p>

<p class="">iOS 13 has the ability to create “Memoji" characters that can be created and customized right within Messages by choosing from a set of inclusive and diverse characteristics to form a unique personality.</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: U.S. companies, including Apple, whose fortunes are linked to China are pushing back against the Trump administration’s plans to restrict business transactions involving the WeChat app from Tencent Holdings, saying it could undermine their competitiveness in the world’s second-biggest economy, the <em>Wall Street Journal</em> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/corporate-america-worries-wechat-ban-could-be-bad-for-business-11597311003" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reports</a>.</p>

<p class="">Earlier today Bloomberg reported that Apple is planning <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2020/8/13/rumor-apple-to-offer-apple-one-bundle-of-subscription-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">an “Apple One” bundle</a> of subscription services. Now <em>Bloomberg</em>’s Mark Gurman <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-13/apple-is-to-launch-first-discounted-video-content-bundle-for-tv?sref=MRDu5QV3"><span style="text-decoration:underline">says</span></a> that the tech giant plans to bundle access to CBS All Access and Showtime content at a discounted price for subscribers to Apple TV+ streaming service.</p>

<p class="">Earlier today Epic Games <a href="https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/the-fortnite-mega-drop-permanent-discounts-up-to-20-percent" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> that it had introduced a new direct payment option in the Fortnite app for iPhone and iPad, allowing players to purchase 1000 V-Bucks for US$7.99 rather than $9.99 through Apple's in-app purchase mechanism. </p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for another patent (number 20200257362) for an “Apple Glove,” a “wearable interactive user interface.” It could be used with an augmented reality headset (such as the rumored “Apple Glasses,” a future Mac with a display that could detect and respond to hand gestures, or be used for typing on a “virtual keyboard.”</p>

<p class="">Apple doesn’t want users of the rumored “Apple Glasses” — an augmented reality/virtual reality/mixed reality head-mounted display — bumping into things. The tech giant has filed for a patent (number 20200258278) for “detecting physical boundaries.”</p>

<p class="">In quarter two of 2020 Mac laptop sales rose 21% compared to quarter two of 2019, according to the <a href="http://www.strategyanalytics.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Strategy Analytics</a> research group.</p>

<p class="">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200253547) for a “monitoring system for assessing control of a disease state” that, involves, among other things, a “smart mattress.”</p>

<p class="">In a recent partnership with Reticle Research, Apple’s low code subsidiary, <a href="https://www.claris.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Claris</a> surveyed 323 SMB [small to medium business] executives in the U.S. and U.K. to find out the latest trends and attitudes toward Internet of Things [IoT].</p>

<p class="">Apple is preparing a series of bundles that will let customers subscribe to several of the company’s digital services at a lower monthly price, according to a report by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-13/apple-readies-apple-one-subscription-bundles-to-boost-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloomberg</a>'s Mark Gurman.</p>