Steve Sande

<p>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ecobee.com/ecobee3-lite/" rel="noopener noreferrer">ecobee3 lite smart thermostat</a> gained a new capability today -- like the "full-fledged" ecobee3, the lite version now talks to ecobee's room sensors. The capability was added with an automatic firmware update that was pushed to the devices, and existing owners of the ecobee3 lite can now purchase room sensors at just $79 for a package of two.</p>

<p>If you missed last night's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJCLOqbbObg&list=PLVONM6G3hHZgDRX7VgZDDJdqr6pyRPVdk" rel="noopener noreferrer">AWT TV</a> livestream, you missed a discussion on the directions that Apple should look for new markets to enter or products to make. We'll give you some hints about the general answers: smart appliances (perhaps in partnership with existing manufacturers) and robot assistants for the elderly. </p>

<p>Many AWT readers own Epson printers; the company has been supplying printers to the Apple world since the early 80's, and now most people are familiar with their all-in-one printer/scanner devices. But the company is well-known in the commercial document scanner market as well, today releasing three new models for office environments. The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.epson.com/p/B11B227201" rel="noopener noreferrer">DS-780N</a> ($1,099), <a target="_blank" href="http://www.epson.com/p/B11B248301" rel="noopener noreferrer">DS-770</a> ($999) and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.epson.com/p/B11B228202" rel="noopener noreferrer">DS-575W</a> ($449) can provide up to 5,000 sheets per day duty cycle (4,000 for the DS-575W), up to 45 page per minute scanning speeds (35 ppm for the DS-575W), and have large automatic document feeder capacities (100 pages, 50 for the DS-575W). </p>

<p>Logitech today announced a new version of its POP Home Switch that works to turn HomeKit accessories or scenes on or off with the push of a button. The new <a href="http://www.logitech.com/pop">POP Smart Button</a> (US$59.95) and POP Add-on Smart Button ($39.95) will be available at Apple stores and Apple.com stores (no date set yet) exclusively at launch, with expansion to other retailers at a later date. </p>

<p>What's in the Apple news of the day?</p><ul><li>Wall Street analysts are optimistic about Apple's Q2 FY2017 financial results, which will be released on May 2nd</li><li>Developer betas of all of Apple's current operating systems were delivered today</li><li>Want to try out an Apple I? Head to Seattle's Living Computers Museum + Labs, where you can actually use one of the few remaining Apple I computers</li></ul>

<p>A while back we took a look at the <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/12/13/bright-idea-olloclip-core-lens-set-for-iphone-7-and-7-plus">olloclip Core Lens Set</a> (fisheye, super-wide, and macro 15x lenses) with the new Connect interchangeable lens system. This lens set simply clips onto an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, but I hadn’t really used the lenses because I don’t like carrying an unprotected iPhone. Today we’re looking at the <strong><a href="https://www.olloclip.com/shop/shop/iphone7plus-ollo-case/">ollo Case for iPhone 7 Plus</a></strong> (US29.95) to see how it works with the Connect Lenses (purchased separately).</p>

<p>As usual on Monday nights, we're giving our readers an alternative to watching reruns -- <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVONM6G3hHZgDRX7VgZDDJdqr6pyRPVdk" rel="noopener noreferrer">AWT TV</a>. <strong>Join us for AWT TV Episode 4 tonight at 6:30 PM PDT/9:30 PM EDT</strong> when we'll have a discussion revolving around what products Apple should create for the future and what new markets the company can enter.</p>

<p>AWT readers who have been paying attention to our deals have noticed that we're pushing a lot of VPN (virtual private network) deals these days. Why? Because there's never been a more important time for individuals to take control of their personal Internet privacy, and that is something that a VPN can provide. Today's deal is an incredible bargain -- <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/vpn-unlimited-lifetime-subscription?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=vpn-unlimited-lifetime-subscription_041717&utm_term=scsf-227123" rel="noopener noreferrer">a lifetime license for VPN Unlimited for just US$39 or a 3-year license for $19.</a> </strong></p>

<p>We have a short AWT News Update for you on this Good Friday 2017:</p><ul><li>Voice actress Susan Bennett, the voice of Siri, talks about her voice recording work for the AI that started back in 2005</li><li>Apple is cornering the market on high-quality trees</li></ul>

<p>Whether you're planning on spending a lot of time outdoors this summer or want to be prepared for emergencies, a new solar generator briefcase from Renogy called the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K60N1DQ/appwortod01-20/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Phoenix</a> (US$574.99) can provide plenty of clean energy. </p>

<p>Last October we were amazed by a Mac app called <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2016/10/12/photolemur-beta-for-mac-coming-next-week-ai-photo-enhancement-that-will-amaze-you" rel="noopener noreferrer">Photolemur</a></strong>. To quote the Photolemur development team, "The software is powered by a self-learning AI image processing technology and instantly enhances photos based on its previous “experience”. Photolemur does almost everything by itself, the users only need to load the photos and save the best images afterwards." Now, the app has been optimized and runs much faster than before, the image enhancements are (in my opinion) better, and even the user interface has been streamlined. Let's take a look at what's new in <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://a.paddle.com/click?said=91&aaid=516&link_id=220&chk=561b842a9a90427ddcc29ad3c47f5fc8&redir=aHR0cHM6Ly9waG90b2xlbXVyLmNvbQ==" rel="noopener noreferrer">Photolemur 2</a></strong> ($2.99/month subscription during the first 30 days, Apple World Today receives compensation). </p>

<p>Scanning paper documents to PDF files has literally become a snap with many iOS apps able to convert photos of bills, receipts and other paperwork to Adobe's Portable Document Format. But what if you need to search for specific information contained in those documents or edit them? That's where Optical Character Recognition (OCR) comes into play, translating PDF files into editable documents. One of the best OCR tools for Mac is <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/pdfconverterocr-4-lifetime-license?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pdfconverterocr-4-lifetime-license_041417&utm_term=scsf-227130" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cisdem's PDFConverterOCR 4</a></strong>, and today only we're offering a lifetime license to this app for just $19.99. </p>

<p>The staff of Apple World Today would like to extend holiday greetings to our readers. Tomorrow is <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday" rel="noopener noreferrer">Good Friday</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter" rel="noopener noreferrer">Easter</a> is on Sunday, and our Jewish friends are right in the middle of <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover" rel="noopener noreferrer">Passover</a>. During the next three days (April 14 - 16) we will be running on a holiday schedule with fewer planned posts, and we invite you to spend more time with your families.</p><p>We'll be back to a full schedule on Monday, April 17. </p>

<p>Friday the 13th is on a Thursday this month, so it's a lucky day for Apple news:</p><ul><li>Apple is powering 96% of its facilities worldwide with renewable energy, and some suppliers sign on to make it 100% as soon as possible</li><li>Fitbit's planned smartwatch is not only delayed until fall, but it won't even have an App Store to start out with</li><li>iTunes Podcasts is now...Apple Podcasts</li><li>Workflow won't be getting any updates, and that's not surprising</li><li>NHL Teams are getting iPad Pros and Macs to help out during the Stanley Cup Playoffs</li></ul>

<p>Have you ever wanted your own personal camera drone, but found that the devices on the market were too expensive and/or had a difficult learning curve? Last fall, the <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://gethover.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hover Camera Passport</a></strong> (US$499) was introduced and it changed the world of photography forever with a small, lightweight, flying high-definition camera that is primarily self-flying. Today Zero Zero Robotics, the company behind Passport, announced that the flying travel-friendly camera is available exclusively on Apple.com and in Apple retail outlets. Apple employees will demonstrate the Hover Camera Passport in stores starting today, showing off the facial recognition and gesture control features. </p>