Dennis Sellers

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple is facing increasing criticism for kowtowing to China in order to increase sales in the country. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.elementcase.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Element Case</a> has released the “X2 Collection” of cases for Apple’s 2019 line-up of iPhones. I’ve had the chance to use the $39.95 Rally case. It’s a decent enough case with one feature that makes it stand out from a horde of competitors.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">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="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Brydge has filed a lawsuit against Sentis, the brand behind the <a href="https://appleworld.today/blog/2019/10/3/sentis-ipados-keyboard-boasts-built-in-trackpad-backlit-keys-more?rq=Sentis" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Libra keyboard </a>with trackpad for the iPad Pro, and Kickstarter for facilitating the sale of the Libra keyboard. This legal action has been taken by Brydge to prevent the unauthorized use of its patented technology.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Nomad has announced a partnership with Aira, the creator of FreePower, a new wireless charging technology. The first product from the partnership is the Base Station Pro, which sounds very similar to Apple’s abandoned <a href="https://appleworld.today/blog/2019/3/29/goodbye-airpower-we-hardly-knew-you-well-actually-we-didnt-know-you?rq=AirPower" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AirPower product</a>.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">According to <a href="https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/apple-launches-in-house-studio-sets-band-of-brothers-follow-up-series-1203367345/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Variety</a>, Apple has set up its own internal production studio called “Masters” and will produce its first in-house series dubbed <em>Masters of the Air</em>.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple’s Mac now has a 7.5% of the global PC [as in personal computer, not just Windows systems] market and 14.8% of the U.S. market on sales of 5.1 million Macs in the third quarter of 2019, according to the <a href="https://www.gartner.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gartner research group</a>. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">As noted by <a href="https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2019101157510/apple-tv-disney-adoption-to-be-hindered-by-limited-reach.html?utm_campaign=apple-tv-disney-adoption-to-be-hindered-by-limited-reach&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_2264#axzz623Al32CZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RapidTV News</a>, the industry has already placed huge expectation on the November launches of Apple TV+ and Disney+ but research from IHS Markit warns that such direct-to-consumer services will likely encounter limited subscriber growth compared with competitive offerings.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">According to <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90416100/apple-wants-its-own-5g-modem-in-2022s-iphones-but-itll-be-a-squeaker" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fast Company</a>, Apple is burning the midnight oil to have its in-house-built models ready and running by 2022. The article says that this is “a very aggressive timeline given all the development, testing, and certification work involved.”</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.zagg.com/en_us/gear4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gear4</a> has released several new and/or updated cases for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. I’ve had a chance to test out the $44.99 Holborn.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">You can save time when working on your Mac by using keyboard shortcuts. To use a keyboard shortcut, hold down one or more modifier keys while pressing the last key of the shortcut. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Alfonso Cuarón — writer and director of such films as<em> Roma</em> and <em>Gravity</em> — has signed an overall deal with Apple. Under the terms of the multiple-year pact, he’ll create and develop new television projects exclusively for the upcoming Apple TV+ streaming service, according to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/alfonso-cuaron-inks-apple-tv-deal-1246820" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Hollywood Reporter</a>.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Apple has filed for a patent (number 20190310706) for “electronic finger devices with charging and storage systems.” Apparently, such gadgets could be used with the rumored “Apple Glasses,” an augmented reality, head-mounted display that Apple is almost certainly working on. The finger devices could also be used with Macs, iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has filed for a patent (number 20190313063) for a “method and system for providing at least one image captured by a scene camera of a vehicle.”</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">UAG’s $59.95 <a href="https://urbanarmorgear.com/collections/iphone-11-11-pro-11-pro-max" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Monarch</a> for the new iPhones — available in crimson, black,  and “carbon fiber” — is an ultra protective case. It boasts five layers of protection that include an armor frame (feels like plastic), leather, a polycarbonate shear plate, allow metal hardware,  and impact resistant rubber. </p>