Steve Sande

<p><span>On a special episode of the </span><a target="_blank" href="http://backerjack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Backerjack</a><span> Podcast with Ross Rubin and myself, we discuss the most serious competitor to the Apple Watch at this point in time. That's the $199 </span><a target="_blank" href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-time-awesome-smartwatch-no-compromises" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pebble Time smartwatch</a><span>, which is well on the way to breaking all crowdfunding records on Kickstarter. </span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">Sometimes despite your cat's insistence on grabbing the warmest spot in the house -- your lap -- you need to get work done. That's when your cat becomes a convenient laptop stand.</p><p>Kiska is a lovely tabby belonging to Mark Moschell and we venture that this location is probably the best of both worlds for a cat -- warm above <em>and</em> below. </p>

<p>It’s time to save some of your hard-earned money with our <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/?tag=deals"><span>Daily Deals</span></a>, featuring exclusive deals for AWT readers, hardware discounts and our own handpicked iOS and OS X sales. All prices are USD and subject to change. Please check prices before you purchase as some deals may expire quickly.</p>

<p>Here are some of the best free apps, app updates and new apps that have landed in the App Store recently. All app prices are USD and subject to change. Some deals may expire quickly, so grab them while you can.</p>

<p><span>The Apple World Today News Update podcast is now in the iTunes Store. </span><a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/awt-news-update/id970735397" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here to subscribe</a><span>, and be sure to give us a rating and share the address with friends. On today's podcast:</span></p>

<p><span>Pitchers and catchers are already warming up in anticipation of the start of Major League Baseball Spring Training on Tuesday, March 3 2015, which means it's time for another spring tradition -- the update of the </span><a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mlb.com-at-bat/id493619333?mt=8" rel="noopener noreferrer">MLB At Bat app</a><span>.</span></p>

<p>Ahead of the expected Watch announcement next month, Apple CEO Tim Cook <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/watch/11439847/Apple-Watch-will-replace-your-car-keys-says-Tim-Cook.html"><span>talked to the Telegraph’s Allister Heath</span></a> about the Watch and how it will change people’s lives once it is launched.</p>

<p>Apple is beginning to court the fashion world with a two-page spread in the French edition of Vogue magazine, Vogue Paris. Spotted by French site <a href="http://www.mac4ever.com/actu/98712_l-apple-watch-egalement-dans-la-version-francaise-de-vogue-photos">Mac4Ever</a> and then <a href="http://www.pompomcomedy.fr/apple-watch-fait-belle-vogue-mars-2015-edition-francaise/"><span>PomPomComedy</span></a> (Via <a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/02/27/vogue-paris-calls-the-apple-watch-a-small-revolution-in-new-two-page-spread"><span>AppleInsider</span></a>), the article features fashion models wearing the Apple Watch Edition, which the author calls “a small revolution.”</p>

<p>After sending out invites to its March 9th “Spring Forward” event, Apple <a href="http://www.apple.com/live/"><span>updated</span></a> its Events website with details about the live stream for the event. Apple will be streaming the entire presentation starting at 10AM PDT on March 9th. </p>

<p>Apple <a href="http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT6620"><span>launched</span></a> a web-only version of iWork that allows anyone to use Pages, Numbers and Keynote as long as they have an Apple ID. This online-only version is free, comes with 1GB of storage and does not require the user to have an Apple device.</p>

<p>Ericsson today <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-27/ericsson-sues-to-block-apple-iphone-in-u-s-amid-licensing-spat"><span>announced</span></a> that it is suing Apple for patent infringement after the Cupertino company refused Ericsson’s licensing terms. Apple previoulsy paid royalties to Ercisson until its license agreement expired in January. Attempt to re-negotiation the agreement failed, triggering the patent infringement lawsuit.</p>

<p><a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2015/2/19/building-awt-game-videos">Last week I wrote about my desire to make gameplay videos to accompany game app reviews</a>. This time I'll look at the "talking head" videos I've shot, for lack of a better term. Actually, I've only shot <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/blog/2015/2/4/province-the-boardgame-on-ipad?rq=province">one</a>, for reasons I'll soon explain. But first, a bit of Ira Glass.</p>

<p>Here are some of the best free apps, app updates and new apps that have landed in the App Store recently. All app prices are USD and subject to change. Some deals may expire quickly, so grab them while you can.</p>

<p>It’s time to save some of your hard-earned money with our <a href="https://appleworld.dreamhosters.com/?tag=deals"><span>Daily Deals</span></a>, featuring exclusive deals for AWT readers, hardware discounts and our own handpicked iOS and OS X sales. All prices are USD and subject to change. Please check prices before you purchase as some deals may expire quickly.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">On the AWT News Update podcast today: </p><ul><li>Apple announces an event for March 9, which we will be liveblogging</li><li>MacRumors reports that Apple Watches will be moved to US distribution points in the first few days of April, making an early April launch date a distinct possibility</li><li>LA-based Brikk will be selling Apple Watches encrusted with gold or platinum and diamonds... lots of diamonds. Of course, these will be very expensive</li><li>Firehouse Subs began accepting Apple Pay today</li><li>Apple adds some fun animations to the Flyover maps of London, England</li></ul>