Steve Sande

<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="https://youtube.com/c/appleworldtoday" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple World Today video channel on YouTube</a>.</p>

<p>Happy Monday! We start off this week with a new sponsor, a new region with Apple Maps transit directions, a deal on Oculus Rift, and a new rumor about the iPhone 8:</p><ul><li>A big welcome to AWT sponsor of the week <a target="_blank" href="https://four.libsyn.com/content/item-details/item_id/everwebapp.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">EverWeb</a></li><li>Vegas, Baby! And Reno, Sparks and Carson City, too! They're all covered by transit directions in Apple Maps now</li><li>There's a sale on Oculus Rift VR headsets and Oculus Touch controllers this week, $200 off the regular price. Get it now, because it will probably work with Mac soon</li><li>Bloomberg says the iPhone 8 might come with advanced facial recognition to replace Touch ID</li></ul>

<p>I usually don't get very excited about reviewing charging cables, but I made an exception for <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012RVYEJ2/appwortod01-20/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Belkin's MIXIT Lightning to USB Keychain</a></strong> (available for as little as $22.47 through Amazon -- affiliate link). This durable Lightning to USB cable is now on my crowded keychain and has come in handy more than once, and I think Apple World Today readers will like it, too!</p>

<p>Once upon a time, there was a Mac app developed by Apple that made creating beautiful and functional websites easy. Sadly, Apple dropped iWeb in 2011, leaving a lot of customers high and dry without an easy way to create and maintain their websites. Fortunately there was a Canadian company called RAGE Software that stepped in with an app called <strong><a href="http://everwebapp.com">EverWeb</a></strong> that not only provided the same ease of use as iWeb, but went far beyond iWeb in terms of capability. EverWeb is this week’s sponsor of Apple World Today, and we can’t wait to tell you about the features available in this powerful application.</p>

<p>In all the years that I've been writing about design shop <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://twelvesouth.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twelve South</a></strong>, I'm not sure that I've ever given any of their products less than a stellar review. The products are beautiful, well-made and designed with Apple fans in mind. Well, Twelve South is taking advantage of tomorrow's Amazon Prime Day to give you up to 25 percent off on some of their products.</p>

<p>Mounting your iPhone in your car can be an easy affair with the <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/neutron-c-magnetic-car-mount?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=neutron-c-magnetic-car-mount_071017&utm_term=scsf-237259" rel="noopener noreferrer">Neutron C Magnetic Car Mount</a></strong>. Attach the mount to your car's dashboard, and your iPhone connects in a flash. The Neutron C keeps your iPhone at hand with the ability to spin it a full 360° to the best possible angle. The best part? You can get the Neutron C Magnetic Car Mount for just $16.99 in one of our Apple World Today daily deals.</p>

<p>We close out this week with a quick look at a few news items:</p><ul><li>The Google Calendar app for iOS has added a Today Widget</li><li>Peripheral maker Jawbone is going out of business...but it's not totally dead yet</li><li>Hilton hotel group reports that lots of guests are using their iPhones and Apple Watches as room keys</li><li>Apple is updating many of its trademarks to cover AR and VR related products</li></ul>

<p>For many Apple Watch owners, the original band that they receive is good enough for daily use, but for others it's fun to swap out bands on a regular basis. Today we're looking at an Apple Watch band from one of the big names in the Apple accessories business - Belkin. The <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWE0XTQ/appwortod01-20/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Belkin Sport Band for Apple Watch</a></strong> (US$39.99 or $25.79 through Amazon affiliate link) comes in sizes for both the 38mm and 42mm Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watches, and we'll take a close look at it right now.</p>

<p>One of the major problems with stands that work to keep laptops, tablets, and smartphones elevated off your desk and in your line of sight is that you usually can't take them with you. Satechi today announced the <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://satechi.net" rel="noopener noreferrer">R1 Aluminum Foldable Stand</a></strong> (US$39.99), a hinged stand that is strong enough to hold laptops in the perfect position, but folds down into a compact package for transportation.</p>

<p>iOS 11 will be here soon, and developers need to get ready to take advantage of all the new features of Apple's mobile operating system. We're doing a pre-sale in the Apple World Today Deals Shop for <a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/pre-sale-the-complete-ios-11-developer-course-bundle?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pre-sale-the-complete-ios-11-developer-course-bundle_070717&utm_term=scsf-237266" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>The Complete iOS 11 Development Course and Mastery Bundle</strong></a>, where you can get the whole shebang for just $29. If you wait to get the course, you could find yourself paying up to $1,299 for the same classes.</p>

<p>A battle between corporations, a minor beta release, and a really expensive cruise are all in today's Apple news.</p><ul><li>Qualcomm is seeking a ban on imports of the iPhone as a battle between it and Apple intensifies</li><li>The fifth developer beta of tvOS 10.2.2 slipped out of Cupertino today</li><li>Want to go on a 24-day cruise to Antarctica with Woz? You can, but you might choke at the fares...</li></ul>

<p>A few Apple news items to make your first day of work after the Independence Day weekend a bit nicer!</p><ul><li>Users of Skype on Macs running older versions of OS X (pre - 10.9) can no longer use the business communications tool. Microsoft now requires users to be running Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) if they wish to use Skype.</li><li>A pair of Apple stores in the northeastern US will reopen this weekend after major refurbishments that doubled their size</li><li>Apple News may soon be gaining ads, with publishers able to use major advertising platforms in their content</li></ul>

<p>What's better than the screen on an 7 Plus? Two screens! The idea behind the InkCase i7 Plus from Oaxis is to provide your phone with protection and a second screen on the back of the case. That screen uses e-ink technology to provide a beautiful grayscale image without the need for backlighting, so it can display photos, ebooks, your favorite RSS fees, or even information widgets. The <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/450819344/inkcase-i7-plus-dual-screen-for-iphone-7-plus?ref=nav_search" rel="noopener noreferrer">InkCase i7 Plus</a></strong> is currently on Kickstarter and has already more than doubled its funding goal, so you can expect to get one in August of 2017 if you support the campaign. </p>

<p>This fall, Apple is expected to finally join the ranks of smartphone manufacturers that support wireless charging, but until then most of us will still have to use our charging cable or dock. Why not get a jump on wireless charging without needing to buy a new iPhone? These<a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/magnetic-iphone-7-charging-office-kit-black-2?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=magnetic-iphone-7-charging-office-kit-black-2_070517&utm_term=scsf-237262" rel="noopener noreferrer"> XVIDA Magnetic iPhone Charging Kits</a> (US$93) include a charging stand and a special case that not only protects your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, but also uses the Qi wireless charging protocol to take your drained iPhone battery back up to 100%.</p>

<p>DODOcase has been making handcrafted cases, bags, and other products in San Francisco since 2010, and the company is continuing its history of protecting iPads with the new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dodocase.com/products/ipad-pro-10-5-dodocase" rel="noopener noreferrer">DODOcase for iPad Pro</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.dodocase.com/products/ipad-pro-10-5-dodocase" rel="noopener noreferrer"> 10.5-inch</a> ($69.95) and the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dodocase.com/products/ipad-pro-10-5-durables-sleeve" rel="noopener noreferrer">iPad Pro 10.5 Durables Sleeve Case</a> ($69.95). We had a chance to check out both and here's our take on how they work with Apple's smallest iPad Pro.</p>