Steve Sande

<p>We don't know for certain if the mythical iPhone 8 will feature Qi wireless charging, but it's almost guaranteed that Apple -- a member of the Wireless Power Consortium that developed the Qi standard -- will adopt the standard soon. You can take advantage of the technology today with the <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/mini-qi-wireless-charging-pad-black-2?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=mini-qi-wireless-charging-pad-black-2_080417&utm_term=scsf-241877" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mini Qi Wireless Charging Pad</a></strong> from Mobile Kingdom, available for just $11.99 in black or white.</p>

<p>Today we look at employment possibilities with Apple, Fitbit's upcoming smart watch, and one blogger's view of how Apple accidentally leaked details of the upcoming iPhone:</p><ul><li>Are you a mapping expert? Check out the 70+ job listings Apple has for those who have background in geospatial information services, navigational aids and fleet management</li><li>Fitbit says it will have its "Apple Watch-killer" smart watch ready for the holiday shopping season</li><li>Daring Fireball's John Gruber speculates on how Apple accidentally spilled the beans on some details of the upcoming 10th-anniversary iPhone</li></ul>

<p>Today we’re looking at a floor cleaning robot from a company you may not have heard about — <a target="_blank" href="http://ecovacsrobotics.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ecovacs</a>. The <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVXRYTM/appwortod01-20/">Deebot N79</a></strong> (US$199.98, Amazon affiliate link provides Apple World Today with an affiliate payment if you purchase one) is designed for deep-cleaning of carpets and other surfaces, and has a feature that makes it of interest of Apple World Today — an iPhone app that can be used to control and schedule cleaning. </p>

<p>So, you’ve moved up to a new MacBook Pro but you miss the safety provided by Apple’s clever MagSafe power connector. Vinpok has a magnetic charging cable called the <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bolt-world-s-1st-usb-c-magnetic-cable-for-macbook#/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bolt-S</a></strong> (US$50, available for pre-order for $24) coming soon that may be what you need to resurrect the functionality of the MagSafe — keeping your MacBook Pro (or MacBook) from dropping to the ground when someone trips over the power cable. </p>

<p>Apple's well on its way to becoming the world's first trillion-dollar company. That and more Apple news coming your way:</p><ul><li>AAPL closes at $157.14, giving the company a market cap of $819.3 billion.</li><li>"Firmware mining" has brought some clarity to features expected in the upcoming iPhone 8</li><li>Was Microsoft working on a Bluetooth keyboard for iPad?</li></ul><p>The text version of the podcast can be read below. To listen to the podcast here, click the play button on the player below. Apple News readers need to visit Apple World Today in order to listen to the podcast.</p>

<p>We see so many wireless speakers here at Apple World Today that it takes something special to turn our heads. Fortunately, we were given the chance to review a wireless speaker that not only has very cool vintage styling, but some features not found on other speakers. The <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://kck.st/2u03Mgx" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lofree Poison</a><a target="_blank" href="http://kck.st/2u03Mgx" rel="noopener noreferrer"> M</a></strong> (about US$70) began a Kickstarter campaign this morning and it surpassed its funding goal in minutes. Here’s our detailed review of the Lofree Poison M.</p>

<p>One of the throwaway comments from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apple.com/investor/earnings-call/" rel="noopener noreferrer">yesterday afternoon's Apple earnings call</a> (link to recording) was actually big news: Apple Pay will expand to Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates by year's end, meaning that the service will be available in 20 countries.</p>

<p>iOS 11 will drop support for 32-bit apps, and one app that had a lot of users concerned was <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-earth/id293622097?mt=8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Earth for iOS</a></strong>. The free app was sadly showing up as 32-bit, as it hadn't been updated in quite a while. Today, Google finally updated the app with 64-bit compatibility and added a bunch of new features at the same time. </p>

<p>If it weren't for developers, bloggers wouldn't have a lot to write about. Not only do we now have a really good idea that the iPhone 8 will have a bezel-less screen with a "notch" at the top for sensors, but we know what some of the alarm tones are going to sound like on the upcoming HomePod. </p>

<p>When it comes to online programming courses for iOS, Swift and Xcode, there's no better trainer than Rob Percival. Rob has taught tens of thousands of developers how to not only get started in converting their app dreams to reality, but to actually selling those apps in the App Store and marketing them online. Rob's "<strong><a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/the-complete-ios-11-swift-developer-course-build-20-apps?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=the-complete-ios-11-swift-developer-course-build-20-apps_080217&utm_term=scsf-241873" rel="noopener noreferrer">Complete iOS 11 & Swift Developer Course</a></strong>" usually sells for $200, but for a very limited time we've got a deal -- get all 249 lessons for just $10.</p>

<p>We have just two stories on the podcast today; one that's quite alarming and another that is entirely upbeat!</p><ul><li>Russia joins China in banning virtual private networks</li><li>Apple's Q3 FY 2017 financial results are in, and they beat all expectations. Hear just how good things went in the quarter ending July 1, 2017</li></ul>

<p>Yesterday we looked at a minimalist case for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro -- the <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2017/7/31/review-protecting-the-105-inch-ipad-pro-in-style-with-the-moshi-versacover" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moshi VersaCover</a>. This case is great for those of us who work indoors, but it certainly wouldn't provide a huge amount of protection in the great outdoors. That's where the new <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://urbanarmorgear.com/collections/ipad-pro-cases/products/ipad-pro-10-5-2017-cases?variant=45492491727" rel="noopener noreferrer">Urban Armor Gear Metropolis Case for 10.5-inch iPad Pro</a></strong> is supposed to excel as it's apparently designed to take drops onto hard surfaces and keep your tablet safe. This case retails for $59.95 on both the UAG website and on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KJ1ZHM/appwortod01-20/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amazon</a> (affiliate link - your purchase helps to support Apple World Today). </p>

<p>Welcome to AWT TV, 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.  Visit us online at https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com and be sure to subscribe to the Apple World Today video channel here on YouTube.</p>

<p>The last day of August, the first day of the week, and a day full of good news and rumors:</p><ul><li>Steve Jobs' widow Laurene Powell Jobs buys a majority stake in <em>The Atlantic</em></li><li>Log files, rumors, and now listings in the iTunes Store are all pointing towards release of a 4K HDR-capable fifth-generation Apple TV</li><li>Spotify announces that it has 60 million paid subscribers -- over double the number of Apple Music subscribers</li><li>Developers find code pointing to a small multicolor display in the top of the Apple HomePod, which will be quite the powerful smart speaker</li></ul>

<p>We liked these tips from <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ampedwireless.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amped Wireless</a></strong> VP of Networking Jason Owen so much that we thought we'd pass them along to Apple World Today readers. Enjoy!</p>