Dennis Sellers

<p class="">Twelve South has released the US$49.99 <a href="https://www.twelvesouth.com/products/airbag-for-airpods?utm_campaign=AirBag%20(2020-04-01)&utm_medium=campaign-email&utm_source=email&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJkZW5uaXMuc2VsbGVyc0BhcHBsZXdvcmxkLnRvZGF5IiwgImtsX2NvbXBhbnlfaWQiOiAiTVdqMmJOIn0=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AirBag</a>, a “micro-mini bag,” for Apple's AirPods and AirPods Pro.</p>

<p class="">Apple has updated iMovie update for iOS and iPadOS, adding trackpad and mouse support, new keyboard shortcuts, and more. It’s available at the Apple App Store.</p>

<p class="">After <a href="https://appleworld.today/blog/2020/3/31/apple-updates-pages-numbers-keynote-for-the-mac"><span style="text-decoration:underline">updating its iWork apps for macOS</span></a>, Apple has now done the same for the iOS/iPadOS versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. All can be obtained at the Apple App Store.</p>

<p class="">Apple more than doubled its donation to China’s efforts to fight COVID-19 to over 50 million yuan ($7 million), according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-apple/apple-doubles-china-donations-for-covid-19-recovery-efforts-idUSKBN21J45L" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters.</a></p>

<p class="">A required update is available for <a href="https://itunespartner.apple.com/books/tools" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iTunes Producer</a>, Apple’s free utility for authors to submit Bookstore book details, pricing, and files in one shot.</p>

<p class="">The makers of Dark Sky <a href="https://blog.darksky.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">say </a>the app has been acquired by Apple, though there’s no info about the purchase price or details. It’s a source of hyperlocal weather info with down-to-the-minute forecasts.</p>

<p class="">The <em>Wall Street Journal</em> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-commits-to-paying-contractors-after-some-were-told-theyd-lose-work-11585667276" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reports</a> hundreds of contract workers were informed over the weekend by firms contracted by Apple that their jobs were suspended without pay and health-care benefits. However, that’s not the case, which should <a href="https://appleworld.today/blog/2020/3/31/teamsters-call-on-apple-tesla-to-stand-by-workers-during-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">allay concerns</a> of Teamsters Joint Council 7.</p>

<p class="">The Publix supermarket chain is rolling out support for contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay, reports <a href="https://appleosophy.com/2020/03/30/publix-is-finally-getting-apple-pay/"><em>Appleosophy</em></a>.</p>

<p class="">Nomad — best know for making accessories for Apple products such as cases and charging accessories — is attempting to reach medical professionals, first responders, and those designated as essential workers.</p>

<p class="">Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus has spent most of his career working from home, so what is new to many us is his normal.</p>

<p class="">Apple is generally perceived as doing a good job in helping others during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not everyone agrees, it seems.</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,609,485) for a “system and method for performing panning for an arbitrary loudspeaker set-up” that's designed to make it easier to pair HomePods, as well as create an addition “virtual loudspeaker.”</p>

<p class="">Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,606,418) for “ultrasonic touch detection" in future Apple Pencils that would allow the device to detect hover events and transfer data.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-display-apple/apple-supplier-japan-display-finalises-deal-to-raise-200-million-from-customer-idUSKBN21I188?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtechnologyNews+%28Reuters+Technology+News%29" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a> reports that Japan Display has finalized a deal to raise $200 million from “an overseas customer,” which sources have said is Apple.</p>

<p class=""><a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/03/31/russia-ban-on-iphones-computers-without-government-mandated-apps-postponed" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppleInsider </a>says that new legislation in Russia that will mandates all smartphones, computers and smart televisions to have Russian-made software pre-installed has been postponed, with provisions not kicking in until January 2021. he delay may be technical, but is more likely related to the COVID-19 outbreak that is complicating device production and development at the moment, the article adds.</p>