Steve Sande

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.strategyanalytics.com/access-services/devices/mobile-phones/smartphone/smartphone-model-tracker/reports/report-detail/samsung-s8-becomes-world-s-best-selling-android-smartphone#.WZRpxq2ZNBw" rel="noopener noreferrer">Strategy Analytics reports that Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are still the world's most popular smartphones</a> as of the end of June, well ahead of the newer Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.</p>

<p>One of the great things about the Apple World Today Deals Shop is that we give our readers access to deals on some of the best Mac and iOS utilities available. Today, we're having a half-off sale on <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/data-rescue-4-for-mac?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=data-rescue-4-for-mac_081617&utm_term=scsf-241875&utm_content=a0x1a000003SjPX" rel="noopener noreferrer">Data Rescue 4</a></strong>, the gold standard for data recovery software for Mac (and Windows). For just $49.99 (half off the regular $99.99 price tag), you get the tool that the pros use to recover data from failing or failed disk drives.</p>

<p>We provide a public service announcement about our eclipse show from last night as well as counteracting the bad info from media sources about eclipse viewers, a change in Apple policy in Hong Kong, and slightly bigger iPhones:</p><ul><li>Check out our <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/8/15/awt-tv-episode-19-august-14-2017-total-solar-eclipse-special-edition" rel="noopener noreferrer">special eclipse episode of AWT TV,</a> and also get the definitive word on those eclipse viewing glasses from the <a target="_blank" href="https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso-certification" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Astronomical Society</a>. </li><li>Apple changes its exchange policy in Hong Kong in an attempt to thwart scalpers prior to the release of the iPhone 8</li><li>According to case manufacturer leaks, the iPhone 7s will be slightly larger than the previous model...</li></ul>

<p>Welcome to <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVONM6G3hHZgDRX7VgZDDJdqr6pyRPVdk" rel="noopener noreferrer">AWT TV</a></strong>, a weekly show featuring Steve Sande, Dennis Sellers and Marty Edwards of Apple World Today. Each week we'll discuss what's happened in the world of Apple, talk about new apps and accessories, maybe even have a demonstration or two of the latest software.  Be sure to <a target="_blank" href="https://youtube.com/c/appleworldtoday" rel="noopener noreferrer">subscribe to the Apple World Today video channel</a> on YouTube.</p>

<p>If you have a MacBook of any sort, you may find looking down at the screen to be uncomfortable. That's why MacBook stands that elevate the device above a desk or table are so popular, making it simple for anyone to have a MacBook screen at the proper ergonomic height while using an external keyboard and mouse/trackpad for data entry. Today, <a target="_blank" href="http://twelvesouth.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twelve South</a> announced the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twelvesouth.com/product/curve-for-macbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">Curve</a>, a US$49.99 matte black aluminum stand that is a new take on an old classic.</p>

<p>It's a short Apple World Today News Update podcast today. Here's what we have for our listeners:</p><ul><li>We'll be hosting a special pre-eclipse episode of the live AWT TV show tonight starting at 6:30 PM PT / 9:30 PM ET. Be sure to join Steve & Marty as they get you ready to observe an amazing celestial event</li><li>Developer and Public Beta 6 of all of Apple's operating systems were released today</li><li>Swift inventor Chris Lattner is now working on Google's AI project</li><li>Inventec says that supplies of the Apple HomePod will be constrained in December</li></ul>

<p>Koogeek seems to be single-handedly taking over the home automation field by developing and marketing low-cost HomeKit accessories. The latest from the company is the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.koogeek.com/smart-home-2418/p-lb1.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">LB1 Smart Light Bulb</a>, a $54.99 (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B072N36CTQ/appwortod01-20/" rel="noopener noreferrer">available on Amazon for $36.99</a> -- affiliate link) LED bulb that can display over 16 million colors and can be controlled by the Home app and Siri.</p>

<p>One week from today is the eclipse across America, starting on the Oregon coast and ending off of the South Carolina shores. Apple World Today publisher/editor Steve Sande has some plans for viewing and recording this eclipse, which will be the second total eclipse he's seen. Contributing editor Marty Edwards lives near the path of totality and has been busy testing apps that show all of the details of the event. Tonight, we'll spend an hour or so on our <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVONM6G3hHZgDRX7VgZDDJdqr6pyRPVdk" rel="noopener noreferrer">AWT TV</a></strong> livestream talking about everything you'll need to know about the upcoming event.</p>

<p>Niles Mitchell, AKA <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClkfmxPq9DoW4YqH5q0dltw" rel="noopener noreferrer">napabar</a> on YouTube, has a lot of fun with vintage electronics that may or may not be made by Apple. In this article, we have two examples of videos that Mitchell has created that deal with linking up present-day Apple gear with vintage tech. </p>

<p>Most cloud storage services have one common problem: you pay for them on a subscription basis, and that $2.99 a month can add up over the years. That's what's great about today's deal on <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/zoolz-cloud-storage-lifetime-subscription-2tb?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zoolz-cloud-storage-lifetime-subscription-2tb_081417&utm_term=scsf-241871&utm_content=a0x1a000003SjPT" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zoolz Cloud Storage</a></strong>. With a onetime $49.99 purchase, you can use your 2TB of storage space for as long as you're alive to use it.</p>

<p>It's Friday, time to ponder pricing of future iPhones and Apple Watches, and hear about how "Game of Thrones" can get your heart racing:</p><ul><li>A Barclays research note wonders if the high anticipated price of the iPhone 8 might dampen demand</li><li>9to5Mac is running a survey on cellular-capable Apple Watch and service pricing, and it's showing that there might be some price elasticity for the upcoming device</li><li>Apple Watch data show that dramatic interactions between characters in "Game of Thrones" bump up pulse rates more than violent action scenes</li></ul>

<p>I'm usually dubious when I get PR emails touting wireless earbuds that are considered to be competitors to Apple's AirPods, especially when the manufacturer is using crowdfunding. But after seeing how the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/air-acoustically-stunning-wireless-headphones-audio--2#/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>crazybaby Air</strong> earbud campaign raised almost $2.8 million on Indiegogo</a> and then testing them, I'm convinced that these earbuds are a solid competitor to the AirPods. They'll be available this fall for US$169 on Amazon and the <a target="_blank" href="https://crazybaby.com/air" rel="noopener noreferrer">crazybaby website</a>. </p>

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<p>Discounts on 13-inch MacBook Pros, new USB-C dongles, and disgruntled Apple employees are all in today's Apple World Today News Update:</p><ul><li>Apple adds a number of 2017 13-inch MacBook Pro models to the refurbished products store</li><li>Satechi announces two new USB-C adapters</li><li>Daring Fireball's John Gruber says he's received numerous emails from Apple employees unhappy with the open floor plans at the Apple Park "spaceship" building</li></ul>

<p>Many bloggers, including me, use the cross-platform writing app <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://ulyssesapp.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ulysses</a></strong> on a daily basis. Up to this point, the app has required a pair of purchases; one for the Mac app and another for the iOS app. Today, the Ulysses team announced that it will do away with the purchases, instead embracing the subscription model that is becoming popular for so many apps.</p>