Dennis Sellers

<p class=""><a href="https://www.essence-grp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Essence Group</a>, a provider of IoT [Internet of things] solutions for security, connected home and healthcare, has joined Apple, the Zigbee Alliance, and others as a member in the "<a href="http://www.connectedhomeip.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Project Connected Home over IP</a>" initiative.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 20200174583) for “computer systems with finger devices for sampling objects attributes.” It involves using finger devices (not gloves) to control Macs, iPads, and perhaps the rumored “Apple Glasses.”</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 20200174284) for a ‘head-mounted display device with vision correction” that hints at “Apple Glasses” that can be equipped with prescription lens for those of us who have to wear glasses.</p>

<p class="">In a note to investors — as noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/06/04/apple-tv-predicted-to-hit-100-million-subscribers-by-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a> — lead analyst Samik Chatterjee says he thinks that Apple TV+ could hit 100 million paid subscribers by fiscal year 2025.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-electronics/ex-apple-engineers-aim-to-help-u-s-hardware-makers-troubleshoot-from-home-idUSKBN23B226?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtechnologyNews+%28Reuters+Technology+News%29" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a> reports that startup founded by ex-Apple Inc engineer has come up with a system that would help engineers troubleshoot manufacturing problems remotely. This, of course, could be a lifesaver in situations just as the current COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p class="">Apple has appointed Ipsita Dasgupta as the country manager of India to head its services that includes its app stores, Apple Music, iCloud, and Apple TV+, reports <a href="https://yourstory.com/herstory/2020/06/apple-india-ipsita-dasgupta-hotstar-streaming-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HerStory.</a></p>

<p class="">More counties are turning to the Apple/Google developed tech for COVID-19 contact tracing, reports <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-europe-tech/europe-pins-hopes-on-smarter-coronavirus-contact-tracing-apps-idUSKBN23B1OA?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtechnologyNews+%28Reuters+Technology+News%29" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a>. The article says that Switzerland, Latvia and Italy have opted for Bluetooth short-range radio for their apps, based on the tech that securely logs exchanges on the smartphones of people who have been near each other.</p>

<p class="">Apple has hired Amazon exec Jim DeLorenzo to head up sports for its Apple TV + streaming service, according to a <a href="https://twitter.com/pkafka/status/1268338788335595520" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Recode</a> tweet.</p>

<p class="">An independent repair shop in Norway has lost an appeal over the import of "counterfeit" Apple iPhone screens. An appeals court affirmed a judgement over shop owner Henrik Huseby, who’s now “on the hook” for not just destroying what Apple calls "counterfeit" iPhone screens he bought from China, but also for Apple's legal costs of about US$26,000, reports <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/06/04/repair-shop-loses-legal-battle-with-apple-over-counterfeit-iphone-screen-import">AppleInsider</a>.</p>

<p class="">Apple CEO Tim Cook has shared an <a href="https://www.apple.com/speaking-up-on-racism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open letter</a> called “Speaking up on racism” regarding the death of George Floyd and others. You’ll want to read the entire letter, but here are the first three paragraphs:</p>

<p class="">Pascal Cagni, Apple's former head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, is raising a new 80 million euro (about US$88 million) for his venture capital firm, C4 Ventures, reports <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/03/apple-pascal-cagni-vc-europe.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CNBC</a>. He said he may put founders in contact with Apple, but it is "very, very rare."</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-lawsuit/apple-must-face-u-s-shareholder-lawsuit-over-ceos-iphone-china-comments-idUSKBN23A2CN" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a> reports that federal judge says Apple must face part of a lawsuit claiming it fraudulently concealed falling demand for iPhones, especially in China, leading to tens of billions of dollars in shareholder losses.</p>

<p class="">Apple's five remaining Italian stores <a href="https://twitter.com/setteBIT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1268142904377311232&ref_url=https://www.imore.com/apple-reopening-last-five-italian-apple-stores-tomorrow" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">will reopen </a>Thursday, June 4. The stores are Apple il Leone, Apple Piazza Liberty (pictured), Apple Oriocenter, Apple Fiordaliso, and Apple Carosello.</p>

<p class="">As noted by <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/06/03/refresh-of-ipad-pro-with-microled-5g-expected-in-the-first-half-of-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider</a>, tweets by the Fudge and L0vetodream accounts, claims that iPad Pro models with A14X processors, mini-LED screens, and 5G connectivity will arrive in the first half of 2021.</p>

<p class="">A report from supply chain blog <a href="http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/rumor/entry-39860.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Macotakara</a> — as translated by <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2020/06/02/ipad-air-4-usb-c-rumor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">9to5Mac </a>— says the fourth generation iPad Air will offer USB-C connectivity, while the iPad mini will stick with Lightning connectivity. Currently, the only Apple table with USB-C is the iPad Pro.</p>