appleJAC Users Group

Grip&Shoot: the Wireless Wonder

by Tom Piper

Back in April 2014, I posted a review of the terrific Grip&Shoot “versatile photo tool” (applejac/gripshoot) which worked great with my iPhone 5S. But, six months later I replaced it with the much bigger iPhone 6 plus, which no longer fit the nifty snap-on Shooter Case that came with the original Grip. Much to their credit, an updated universal holder is now available.

The GRIP&SHOOT JawZ Adapter has two spring-loaded jaws that extend out to accommodate multiple-sized phones and cases. It is over-molded with durable no-slip rubber to grip my iPhone securely. And, when not in use, JawZ folds flat and can be tossed right in my pocket, or the carrying case that came with the Grip. 

Some users prefer thin and stylish cases, some bulky and protective, and others prefer no case at all. JawZ will fit any phone or case up to the iPhone 6 plus, even with an Otterbox case. It is quick and easy to mount my iPhone now. It works very well with the free downloadable app to one-hand shoot (with the trigger) and zoom in-and-out (with the front buttons). This once again allows me to hold my iPhone high above the crowd for photos and videos.

Not only that, but I also now use my Grip&Shoot with the Stealth iPole available from FastCap (fastcap/ipole) for $19.95-$39.95 (depending on length). By easily detaching the JawZ from its Grip, and attaching it to the iPole using a Grip&Shoot Removable Stand ($5.95), I can extend my iPhone far above for high shots, or more than 3 feet away for a “selfie” or small group picture, all while remotely controlling the iPhone with the Grip . . . very handy indeed! 

The JawZ Adapter is available from Grip&Shoot (gripandshoot.com) for only $14.95. I will soon also be able to get a Cold Shoe Adapter from Grip&Shoot to put on the bottom of the Grip (or any 1/4” hole) to hold a light panel, microphone or other accessories. Other accessories such as the Grip Adapter are also available at this website. Photography with my iPhone is much more fun and versatile again.

NewerTech Numeric Keypad: the Wireless Wonder

by Tom Piper

For many years I’ve used the “full-size” tethered keyboard provided by Apple, but the new wireless versions don’t have a keypad included anymore. Short and nice, which works fine until I’m doing something requiring a lot of input of numbers. Now, I have a great wireless solution.

The NewerTech Wireless Aluminum Keypad complements the Apple Keyboard very nicely, matching it in fit an finish. It has been built to rigorous standards with a precision machined aluminum housing which can become the ultimate easy-to-pair Bluetooth workhorse that's built to last. NewerTech was inspired to work with accounting professionals to get every detail of this keypad just right, including key-throw, feel, design, size, and connectivity. 

The setup of this Keypad was fast and easy (it even has an online setup video, if needed). First, I put in the two AAA batteries which were included. Next, Bluetooth pairing was quick and reliable, and reconnects again automatically when the computer or device is awakened or restarted. 

The comfortable wide-spaced island keys (an exact match to Apple’s keyboard) make the NewerTech Keypad the perfect companion to the Apple wireless keyboard. This is perfect for finance professionals, including accountants and analysts, as well as students, teachers, administrators, programmers, and more. The responsive full-sized keys assist with accuracy and efficiency. I use this keypad with popular apps, such as Pages and Numbers to be more efficient by taking advantage of shortcuts that are not as easily accessible when using the Apple wireless keyboard alone. 

The NewerTech Keypad  is versatile, lightweight, compact, sturdy, and durable, by working both as a stand-alone or with a variety of other keyboards. It's a great companion for working at home or on the go with a full-sized 28-key design (including delete, tab, navigation, and more), long battery life, and compatible with my Bluetooth-enabled MacBook Pro 15” retina, iMac 27” retina, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2 and iPhone 6 plus. They say its also compatible with PCs.

Available with White or Black Keys (to complement a wide range of Apple keyboards), the NewerTech Numeric Keypad can be purchased for only $47 from http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer+Technology/KPA28BTW. This is one of many great product from OWC (Other World Computing). I’ve worked with this company for many years, and have great confidence in the quality and value their products.

53 Pencil: a Delight for the Hand and iPad

by Tom Piper

I’ve been using “touch screens” for many years, and they have worked great with my finger. But, there are times when a concise control is needed (such as for drawing or painting) and a stylus is needed instead.

Pencil by FiftyThree is the most natural and expressive way to create on any iPad. Its advanced technology includes a beautiful design which meets my stylus needs without needing to switch tools. They have said that “great tools inspire great ideas”, which is certainly the case with this Pencil. 

This handy device integrates Surface Pressure, Erase, Blend, and adaptive Palm Rejection, thus putting creative possibility into my hands. Expressive from any angle, Pencil's unique tip is shaped to create lines of all sizes without any settings. Enabled with iOS 8, Pencil’s unique built-in eraser lets me try anything knowing an eraser is only a flip away. This stylus takes care of the lines so I can use my finger to smooth rough edges and blend colors directly on the page.

The shape strongly resembles a carpenter’s pencil, and is extremely comfortable in my hand (I wish my ballpoint pens were shaped like this). The weight is just right, the balance is true, and the rechargeable insert (tip) can be easily extracted and plugged into my computer or other USB power supply. When used with the free iPad app called “Paper” (www.fiftythree.com/paper), the Pencil becomes an extremely versatile and satisfying tool on any iPad. Paper by FiftyThree received Apple’s 2012 Design Award for excellent concept and execution on the iPad, and the magical feeling people get when they draw with it for the first time.

I understand that the Pencil will also take advantage of many of the features of Procreate and Noteshelf. I've used it frequently with Apple's iWork 2014 Pages and Numbers. It is particularly useful in the spreadsheet and charting features where items are close together and my finger gets too big for effective control.

The 53 Pencil is available online (www.shop.fiftythree.com) for only $49.95 (graphite) or $59.95 (walnut), and includes a money-back guarantee with free return shipping, if not satisfied. In addition to this "30-day Satisfaction Guarantee," Pencil is covered by a Limited Warranty. This is a terrific stylus, and a work of art!

Presentations from 11/04/14 20 Gadgets in 40 Minutes

The following information is a brief recap of the "gadgets" presented during the second half of our appleJAC meeting, in the order of their presentation by the person who showed it (it turned out to be 16 Gadgets in 30 Minutes):

Peggy Landwehr . . . 

Transcend JetDrive Lite 330 64GB Storage Expansion Card . . . $39.99

for more info, click on this link: amazon.com/Transcend-JetDrive

  Monster MP Outlets To Go Power Strip . . . $11.12

for more info, click on this link: amazon.com/monster+power+outlet+to+go

 

Joe Mertzlufft  . . .

Wintec FileMate 16GB Micro Card-It-All HC Memory Card . . . $17.41

for more info, click on this link: amazon.com/Wintec-Filemate-Class-microSD

OWC Express Black 0GB USB 2.0 2.5" Hard Drive Kit . . . $15.99

for more info, click on this link: eshop.macsales.com/expresskit

NewerTech NuScribe 2-in-1 touch screen stylus . . . $19.95

                    for more info, click on this link: newertech.com/products/nuscribe

 

Sue Snell . . .

Universal European power cord adapter . . . $13.21

for more info, click on this link: cablesandkits.com/european-universal-power-plug-adapter

 

 Larry Garvin . . . 

Poweradd Pilot 2GS Portable Dual USB Charger Power Bank . . . $21.99

for more info, click on this link: amazon.com/Poweradd-Pilot-2GS-10000mAh-Smartphones

 

 

Greg Breuer . . .

Elgato Video Capture - VHS tapes to DVDs . . . $99.95

for more info, click on this link: elgato.com/video   elgato.com/capture

 

Tom Piper . . .

53 Pencil & Paper . . . $59.95 & free

                      for more info, click on this link: shop.fiftythree.com  www.fiftythree.com/paper

1U Facial Security . . .$29.99/year

for more info, click on this link: www.1uapps.com

OWC Wireless Keypad . . . $49.00

for more info, click on this link: eshop.macsales.com/wirelesskeypad

4TB Seagate Hard Drive . . . $249.00

for more info, click on this link: www.seagate.com/backup-plus-fast-hdd

Grip&Shoot iPhone photo accessory (and iPole) . . . $99.95

for more info, click on this link: www.gripandshoot.com   www.amazon.com/ipoleoptions

 

 Winifred Krause . . . 

iOgrapher Mobile Media Case for iPad minis . . . $65.00

for more info, click on this link: www.iographer.com/mini-mobile-media-case

 

President's Place: Dec 2014

by Tom Piper

President's Place: December 2014

Winter seems to have arrived, with freezing temperatures, early snow, and Christmas decorations. I'm preparing for Thanksgiving (and Black Friday sales) and doing my best to stay warm and cozy.

Our last meeting featured Yosemite 10.10 and 20 Gadgets in 40 Minutes, with presentations from George Kopp, Peggy Landwehr, Joe Mertzlufft, Sue Snell, Larry Garvin, Greg Breuer, Winifred Krause, and me. See a recap of their information by clicking on presentations. The evening's door prizes were won by:

• Bonnie Friehling      $10 iTunes gift card
• Tom Vaughn            "iPad at Work" book
• Peggy Landwehr      computer bag
• Todd McCluskey       water bottle
• Terry Larkin             computer bag
• Jim Springs              iPad keyboard
• Margie Stevenson      iPhone 5 case
• Jim Mayor                homemade bread
• Alice Kopp                silver stylus
• Larry Garvin             carabiner

The next meeting will be the Annual Membership Meeting, Elections, and All I Want for Christmas, with some out-takes for MacOS and iOS Tips and Tricks, and various annual reports. This meeting is particularly important since we will be electing officers for 2015, with the following nominees so far:

• President                Joe Mertzlufft
• Vice-President         Peggy Landwehr
• Secretary                Tom Piper
• Treasurer                 Sue Snell
• Webmaster              Greg Breuer
• Member at Large      George Kopp
• Member at Large      Ann Lane
• Member at Large      Shubba Miller
• Member at Large      Larry Garvin
• Member at Large      (none)
• Member at Large      (none)

These are the first nominations (most are incumbents willing to serve again). We are also hopeful that more members will step forward to add new blood, ideas and energy to our efforts. You may also know someone who would be a good addition, so talk to them and submit their names. 

 

 

How to Add Widgets to iOS 8's Notification Centre

Here is  another useful tip (submitted by Marian Petrides).

You read the article, just click on the link below . . .

http://m.gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/features/how-to-add-widgets-to-ios-8s-notification-centre-597680