Steve Sande

<p>Happy Pi Day! We're hoping that you do something irrational today, like subscribe to the AWT News Update podcast or even become a Team AWT member:</p><ul><li>Samsung plays catch-up to Apple in terms of smartphone security updates</li><li>Russia rules that Apple engaged in price fixing for iPhones</li><li>You've heard of Apple Park, but what about Apple Campus 3 at Central & Wolfe in Sunnyvale, CA?</li><li>A working Apple-1 computer will be up for auction in May</li></ul>

<p>Every once in a while it's fun to post a review of something that is tech-related but doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Apple. That's the case with the <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVP1O7U/appwortod01-20/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grillbot</a></strong> grill-cleaning robot (from $74.17 - this is an affiliate link benefitting Apple World Today; if you buy one, we'll be reimbursed). I first heard about Grillbot during CES 2017 where it received more attention than most of the "real" tech items, and since I do a lot of grilling, I thought I'd try one out on my surprisingly dirty old gas grill.</p>

<p>The week starts off with a bang in Apple news, with the sixth betas of iOS 10.3 and macOS 10.12.4 arriving and possibly pointing to...</p><ul><li>A release of new iPad models that could happen as early as next week</li><li>Apple releases a playful new ad featuring iMessages stickers</li><li>As noted by Apple World Today on Saturday, Apple could be funding development of a Boeing internet satellite constellation</li><li>Apple updates its web page listing compatible HomeKit accessories</li></ul>

<p>Have a Mac and an iPhone? <a href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/icarefone-for-mac?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=icarefone-for-mac_031317&utm_term=scsf-221808"><strong>iCareFone for Mac</strong></a> is an iPhone utility from TenorShare that's designed to protect, repair, clean, optimize and speed up your favorite phone. This lifetime license gives you all minor and major upgrades for just $19.95. </p>

<p>An interesting piece of speculation arrived at Apple World Today this morning via a reader who pointed us to <a target="_blank" href="http://tmfassociates.com/blog/2017/03/10/eccentric-orbits/" rel="noopener noreferrer">a blog post by Tim Farrar of TMF Associates</a>, a consulting firm providing technical and financial analysis regarding the telecom and satellite industries. Farrar, referring to last week's Satellite 2017 conference, says that "I heard from a number of sources at Satellite 2017 that Boeing's V-band development work is being funded by Apple, which is clearly trying to find the next big thing and has been exploring cars, TVs and other large market opportunities."</p>

<p>We get an unexpected visit from Alexa during today's podcast, which is rather short due to a paucity of interesting Apple-related news:</p><ul><li>The Microsoft Cortana app for iPhone gets a significant upgrade</li><li>The Japanese government may step in and block some Apple suppliers from South Korea and Taiwan from the auction of Toshiba's memory unit</li><li>Familiar with the Apple Store app? It received an update today, but we just want to remind you that the app exists...</li></ul>

<p>The iPhone is the world's most popular camera in terms of the number of photos taken, and it's no wonder -- iPhone owners always have the camera with them, and the photo quality is usually quite good. But the iPhone isn't the easiest device to take photos with. There's no built-in tripod mount for getting long-exposure pictures, sometimes pressing the on-screen shutter button can be a pain, and holding the iPhone one-handed to take a shot is an invitation to dropping it. That's where the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR00ZW4/appwortod01-20/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bitplay SNAP! 7 iPhone camera case</a> (affiliate link) and accessory lenses come into play, and today we're giving it a full workout.</p>

<p>Apple provides a way to encrypt your Mac data with FileVault, but what if your data or company information needs even more protection. That's where Espionage 3 for Mac comes in, adding the ability to add multiple master passwords protecting isolated sets of folders while still featuring AES-256 + scrypt security. Our deal is this: <a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/espionage-3-lifetime-license?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=espionage-3-lifetime-license_031017&utm_term=scsf-221815" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get a lifetime license (which gives you access to all major updates in the future) to Espionage for $19.99</a> (60% off!). </p>

<p>We have news from around the world of Apple today, including how a nearby neighbor has scaled back headquarters building plans and more:</p><ul><li>Google's grandiose plans for a huge, glass-enclosed "city" as a corporate campus have been drastically scaled back</li><li>Apple retail stores in Jacksonville, FL, Nanjing, China, and Grand Rapids, Michigan are either opening soon or are in the planning loop for expansion</li><li>Apple Genius Bar employees will no longer get the opportunity to travel to the "mothership" for hands-on training</li></ul>

<p>Those who live the "connected selves" life like to keep track of many data points, including blood pressure. One of the finest connected blood pressure monitors available today is the <a target="_blank" href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2015/12/14/qardioarm-blood-pressure-monitor-an-apple-world-today-top-pick" rel="noopener noreferrer">QardioArm Blood Pressure Monitor</a> (Apple World Today review link), which has been available in Apple's online store since December of 2015. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJJJ2V/A/qardioarm-wireless-blood-pressure-monitor?fnode=7d" rel="noopener noreferrer">Now you'll be able to find the $99.95 QardioArm at your local Apple retail store</a>. </p>

<p>The Apple World Today news podcast runs the gamut today from sending money with Siri to taking piano lessons with an iPad:</p><ul><li>Honda announced that two new vehicles to be show next month at the New York International Auto Show will support Apple CarPlay</li><li>RBC customers can make money transfers with Siri after an app update</li><li>More betas arrived today, including those for iOS 10.3, watchOS 3.2 and tvOS 10.2...and Xcode 8.3 as well</li><li>A new iPad app called Skoove can interactively teach you piano, and it even listens to your progress</li></ul>

<p>iPhone 7 owners who still have a lot of earphones/earbuds/headphones with 3.5mm jacks are fortunate that they get a little adapter from Apple for free, but while that adapter is plugged in, you can't charge your iPhone! Apple World Today has a deal on an adapter that lets you charge your iPhone 7 and listen to music through your legacy headphones at the same time. The <a target="_blank" href="https://deals.appleworld.today/sales/2-in-1-lightning-to-headphone-jack-charge-cable-3-pack?utm_source=appleworld.today&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2-in-1-lightning-to-headphone-jack-charge-cable-3-pack_030817&utm_term=scsf-221811" rel="noopener noreferrer">2-in-1 Lightning to Headphone Jack Charging Cable 3-Pack</a> from Sky Innovations is available for only $21.99 -- that's 56% off the regular price of $49.99.</p>

<p>We have some fascinating Apple news bits for you today, including our very own rumor about the next Apple event!</p><ul><li>Apple released the fifth developer beta of macOS 10.12.4 today, so expect to see the final version released in the relatively near future</li><li>Some rumors swirling around forced us to create our own rumor - that the iPad event we're expecting will be held on April 4, 2017</li><li>WikiLeaks dumps a new bunch of files, this time stating that the CIA has a team that's dedicated to iPhone penetration and that they've "lost control" of the tools they have</li></ul>

<p>If you've been looking for a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, you've probably noticed on the Apple online store  -- and read on most Apple-related websites -- that the device is currently showing a 2-3 week shipping time. What's <em>really</em> interesting is that clicking on the "Check availability" link for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro shows an April 4, 2017 availability date for any color, storage size, or connectivity choice (see image below). </p>

<p>Here's the accessory you've always wanted for your iPhone -- a sports car! Today car manufacturers Honda and Porsche both announced new models that feature Apple CarPlay compatibility, so it's time to talk your significant other into letting you buy one of these to go along with that nice iPhone 7 Plus you own...</p>