Steve Sande

<p>The JAMF Nation User Conference (JNUC), the largest gathering of Apple IT professionals in the world, opened today in Minneapolis, MN. With support from 21 sponsors, the learning event includes 64 JAMF customers who are presenters and, for the first time, JNUC is including “how to” sessions and interactive labs for hands-on experience with JAMF products.</p>

<p>Today you'll learn where 1 + 2 + 3 = 24, where the iPhone 8 Plus is the best-selling smartphone, and where you can get the software to turn many common or home-built PCs into Macs:</p><ul><li>An unfixed iOS 11 calculator bug means that for at least now, 1 + 2 + 3 equals 24...unless you are a slow calculator user</li><li>Taiwanese consumers are snapping up the iPhone 8 Plus, and Apple's the top-selling smartphone manufacturer</li><li>Want to build a Hackintosh? You can now run macOS High Sierra on it thanks to the latest version of the popular utility UniBeast</li></ul>

<p>When it comes to design of Apple accessories, I personally think the team at Charleston, SC - based <a href="http://twelvesouth.com">Twelve South</a> sometimes does a better job of thinking things through than Apple’s own design team. Recently, I received a <a href="https://www.twelvesouth.com/product/inspire-candle">Twelve South Inspire “Mac Candle No.2”</a> for review, which is a US$29.99 scented candle that’s the followup to last year’s model with the “New Mac Smell”. Let’s take a look at this fun gift, and I’ll tell you why I think Jony Ive should look at the candle for inspiration…</p>

<p>I’d never heard of Chinese accessory manufacturer QacQoc before, but a look at Amazon showed that the company’s surprisingly low-cost MacBook Pro USB-C hubs had garnered some pretty good reviews from buyers. As a result, I decided to try out three of the company’s USB-C hubs as a service to those who have a MacBook Pro and would like a hub that won’t break the bank.</p>

<p>Happy Monday! We're back with new from the world of Apple. Here's what we have for the Apple World Today News Update podcast today:</p><ul><li>Are you an iPhone Upgrade Program member who wants to order an iPhone X this Friday? You can get pre-approved for the phone now using the Apple Store app, leaving just the final push of the button early Friday morning</li><li>FBI Director Christopher Wray isn't happy that the FBI hasn't been able to get encrypted information from 6,900 mobile devices over the past 11 months</li><li>Facebook Messenger adds another new feature; the ability to manage your TD Ameritrade stock portfolio from the app</li></ul>

<p>Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.) is now 30 years old, becoming a giant in the industry recently due to its close relationship with Apple. Apple COO Jeff Williams spoke at the company's 30th anniversary celebration, lauding the company for that relationship and also talking about how artificial intelligence will have major implications for the future.</p>

<p>There's a lot going on behind the scenes with Apple's contactless pay system Apple Pay and the associated Wallet app. Platform executive Jennifer Bailey attended the Money 20/20 conference yesterday, where she noted that Apple Pay is now in 20 countries around the world with about 4,000 card issuers. In those countries, Apple Pay accounts for 90 percent of mobile contactless payments.</p>

<p>On this day in 2001, Apple co-founder and legend Steve Jobs introduced the first iPod to the world. That makes the iPod platform old enough to get a restricted driver's license in most of the United States. The iPod has been eclipsed by many other Apple products since then, but it was one of the products that first brought Apple to the attention of many consumers.</p>

<p>Life insurance companies understand just how important activity is to the health and wellbeing of their customers, and for customers of one company, it can really pay off in the form of an Apple Watch Series 3 for $25. John Hancock's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.johnhancockinsurance.com/life/John-Hancock-Vitality-Program.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vitality</a> program, which provides rewards to members who stay active, is now offering the GPS-only version of the latest Apple Watch for an initial payment $25 plus tax. </p>

<p>Do you do international travel for business or pleasure? If you do, and if you go to a large variety of countries, you probably know what a hassle it can be to not have the correct plug for the outlets in a particular country. The <a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/twist-plus-world-charging-station-black?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=twist-plus-world-charging-station-black_102317&utm_term=scsf-256123&utm_content=a0x1a000001ks8i" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twist Plus World Charging Station</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/twist-world-charging-station-black" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twist World Charging Station</a> sell for $31.99 each, but you can save an additional 15% using code <strong>SAVE15</strong> in the Apple World Today Deals Shop through 10/29. </p>

<p>We have an abbreviated podcast for today, thanks to a shortage of news that we hadn't already published on the website. Here's what we've got for you:</p><ul><li>Be sure to check out <a target="_blank" href="https://www.livehome3d.com/mac/live-home-3d" rel="noopener noreferrer">Live Home 3D from BeLight Software</a>, our sponsor for the past week. </li><li>With one week to go until the start of iPhone X pre-orders, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that component shortages will result in only about 2 to 3 million of the new phones being available at launch</li><li>New beta versions of iOS 11.1 and watchOS 4.1 are available, with iOS 11.1 bringing hundreds of new emoji to the world once the final version ships</li></ul>

<p>Delta Air Lines is joining the ranks of other top US airlines like American and United in using iPads and iPhones for pilots and in-flight service personnel. The company currently uses Microsoft Surface tablets and Lumia 1520 smartphones, but will switch to Apple 10.5-inch iPad Pros and the iPhone 7 Plus in early 2018.</p>

<p>One of our most popular deals is back, this time with an even lower price. For a limited time, you can <strong><a href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/10-ft-mfi-certified-lightning-cable-3-pack-4?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=10-ft-mfi-certified-lightning-cable-3-pack-4_102017&utm_term=scsf-256122&utm_content=a0x1a000001ks8h">get a 3-pack of 10-ft MFi-Certified Lightning Cables for $16.99</a></strong>. </p>

<p>It's about time someone called out Apple CEO Tim Cook on being a bit of a hypocrite. Earlier this year, Cook received the free speech award at Newseum's 2017 Free Expression Awards, where he was quoted as saying "First we defend, we work to defend these freedoms by enabling people around the world to speak up. And second, we do it by speaking up ourselves.". Well, Mr. Cook, Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy and Republican Senator Ted Cruz would like some answers on why Apple basically acquiesced to Chinese demands that Virtual Private Network (VPN) apps be pulled from the Chinese App Store.</p>

<p>Wow, only eight days until the pre-orders for the iPhone X. We have some news about the newest iPhone and other topics for you today!</p><ul><li>Imagine creating your own 3D renderings of your home or a dream home. It's all possible with <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/10/16/design-your-dream-home-with-live-home-3d-from-belight-software-this-weeks-awt-sponsor" rel="noopener noreferrer">Live Home 3D</a> from BeLight Software, this week's AWT sponsor</li><li>Tim Cook told a Mac mini fan that "we plan for Mac mini to be an important part of our product line," whatever that vague statement means...</li><li>The CEO of Canadian telecom company Rogers says the company is seeing "anemic appetite" for the iPhone 8 while customers appear to be saving their money for the iPhone X</li><li>Soon you won't have to sign an electronic or paper receipt for purchases made with Apple Pay on a MasterCard</li></ul>