Steve Sande

<p>The price of shares of Apple stock has been booming since last week's Q3 2017 earnings call, with the company recovering from a several-month dip since the call and reaching record highs. RBC Capital analyst Amit Daryanani thinks that the recent momentum will continue as Apple launches the iPhone 8 in September, with <a target="_blank" href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/iphone-8-can-make-apple-worlds-first-trillion-dollar-company/articleshow/60003186.cms" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple having a good chance to become the first company to reach and sustain a $1 trillion market capitalization</a>.</p>

<p>If there's anything that has been keeping many homeowners from embracing smart lighting in their homes, it's the cost. Fortunately, IKEA has a growing line of smart lighting products known as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/lighting/36812/" rel="noopener noreferrer">TRÅDFRI</a> that is surprisingly affordable, with individual bulbs starting at US$12 and a residential bridge priced at $30. IKEA has issued a firmware update to TRÅDFRI that adds support for Apple's HomeKit home automation framework.</p>

<p>I’ve been doing a lot of work with my MacBook Pro over Personal Hotspot lately due to some ongoing family issues. Normally that would mean that I’d be heading towards a data plan overage fee, but not this month because I’ve been using <a href="https://a.paddle.com/click?said=203&aaid=516&link_id=147&chk=5c73af360bcd28424a2e24d11afdb796&redir=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudHJpcG1vZGUuY2gvP3JlZj1hZmZpbGlhdGU=">TripMode for macOS</a> (US$7.99 or part of the <a href="http://setapp.sjv.io/c/143055/383992/5114">Setapp</a> subscription app bundle). </p>

<p>We've been big fans of automated photo enhancement app Photolemur since the early days. Now <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://photolemur.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Photolemur 2.0</a></strong> is available, both for Mac and now for Windows as well. You can see for yourself how easy it is to make your digital images "pop" with a quick pass through Photolemur 2.0 by watching the video below. Well, we have a great deal for you on Photolemur 2.0: take 15% off the regular price of $30 for a single license or $50 for a family license (up to 5 devices). Even better, take advantage of our coupon code <strong>APPLEWORLD15</strong> today and get the family license for $29.75!</p>

<p>While Chamberlain's MyQ-equipped smart garage door openers are handy, they have been missing one big feature -- HomeKit compatibility. That doesn't sound like that big a deal, but it means that you currently need to use a separate app to open your garage door and can't just say "Hey, Siri - open the garage door". That's all changed today as Chamberlain is now shipping the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chamberlain.com/smartphone-control-products/smartphone-connectivity/myq-home-bridge" rel="noopener noreferrer">MyQ Home Bridge</a>, a US$69.99 (introductory price of $49.99) device that adds HomeKit compatibility to a number of Chamberlain and LiftMaster garage door openers. </p>

<p>Read any article about Internet safety and privacy these days, and you're likely to find one common thread -- virtual private networks (VPNs) can keep your data and personal information safe from prying eyes, whether it is hackers or governments trying to get your data. This deal will keep you safe for as long as you're around: a <a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/vpnsecure-lifetime-3?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=vpnsecure-lifetime-3_080917&utm_term=scsf-241874&utm_content=a0x1a000003SjPW" rel="noopener noreferrer">VPNSecure Lifetime Subscription</a> for $49.99 (normally priced at $450). VPN Secure has almost 2,000 five-star reviews in the Deals Shop!</p>

<p>Not a lot of Apple news today, but we have descriptions of a few app updates that might get you excited!</p><ul><li>AAPL closes at $160.08, a new record high</li><li>Developer Steve Troughton-Smith hacks the tvOS Simulator, finds that 4K is easy for developers to enable in a new Apple TV</li><li>The free iOS Wikipedia app (image at right) gains a number of new usability features </li><li>Foursquare's Swarm app also gets a nice update, adding an interactive map of where you've been</li></ul>

<p>Welcome to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVONM6G3hHZgDRX7VgZDDJdqr6pyRPVdk" rel="noopener noreferrer">AWT TV</a>, 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 subscribe to the <a target="_blank" href="http://youtube.com/c/appleworldtoday" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple World Today video channel on YouTube</a>.</p>

<p>It takes a lot to get this reviewer excited about an iPhone case. To get my attention, a case either has to have a function that is completely unique, or be so distinctive that it stands out in the crowd. The <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://wudlife.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">WÜD (US$39.95 - $69.95) and RÖK (US$39.95) cases from Virginia-based WÜD</a></strong> fit the latter criterion in that each case is indeed a one-of-a-kind specimen that will never be duplicated. </p>

<p>On today's Apple World Today News Update podcast - fashionably overpriced Apple Watch bands, new Intel chips that won't be used in the iMac Pro, better transit directions Down Under, and a really good deal for superannuated iPhone users:</p><ul><li>Coach announces a new line of Apple Watch bands starting at $150 for the fall season</li><li>Intel announced a new series of desktop processors, but it's unlikely that the speedy chips are destined for the upcoming iMac Pro</li><li>In the Land Down Under, transit instructions in Apple Maps have now been added for Queensland and Western Australia</li><li>T-Mobile creates an unlimited plan for the over-55 crowd that has Steve ready to throw his walker at AT&T</li></ul>

<p>Developers who are getting their products ready for iOS 11, macOS 10.13, tvOS 11 or watchOS 4 can now download and install the fifth beta of each operating system. </p>

<p>When you're driving around town getting directions from Siri, hopefully your iPhone is sitting in a nice car mount, plugged in and easily accessible. What?! You just keep it in your lap, throw it on the dashboard, or drop it into the seat console? That's just wrong, and you know it! Everything will be fine and dandy if you buy this <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/layze-flexible-windshield-dashboard-universal-car-mount?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=layze-flexible-windshield-dashboard-universal-car-mount_080717&utm_term=scsf-241870&utm_content=a0x1a000003SjPS" rel="noopener noreferrer">Layze Flexible Universal Car Mount</a></strong>, available in the Apple World Today Deals Shop for $12.99. </p>

<p>A short Apple World Today News Update podcast for you today:</p><ul><li>Not only is the 3rd-generation Apple Watch expected this fall with an LTE chip inside, but now rumors are flying that it will sport a new design as well</li><li>Some DirecTV Now users are getting invitations to beta-test a new DVR capability, with the function being available on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV</li><li>OpenSignal finds that 4G LTE download speeds have slowed measurably since last year, mainly due to increased data traffic from unlimited plans launched in February</li></ul>

<p>Companies and consumers alike are beginning to reap the rewards of the "Internet of Things". A while back, I wrote a review of the <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/5/3/ecobee3-lite-smart-thermostat-homekit-compatible-stylish-and-intelligent" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ecobee 3 Lite smart thermostat</a>, a HomeKit-compatible thermostat that works well with Siri. Not only has the Ecobee 3 Lite down a great job of keeping our house comfortable, but it's now going to save us even more money on our electrical bill. Ecobee has teamed up with utility company <a target="_blank" href="http://xcelenergy.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Xcel Energy</a> for a program called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.xcelenergy.com/programs_and_rebates/residential_programs_and_rebates/heating_and_cooling/ac_rewards_smart_thermostat_program" rel="noopener noreferrer">AC Rewards</a> in which the utility can remotely control the thermostat on high-demand hot summer days to reduce electrical loads.</p>

<p>If you missed out on the other world premiere performances of the new opera <a target="_blank" href="https://www.santafeopera.org/operas-and-ticketing/the-revolution-of-steve-jobs?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2017SteveJobsAddedPerformance8%2F3%2F2017&utm_content=version_A&sourceNumber=12139" rel="noopener noreferrer">"The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs" at Santa Fe Opera</a>, you're in luck. The opera has been so well received that Santa Fe Opera has added an extra performance on August 22, 2017.</p>