appleJAC Users Group

President's Place: April 2015

President’s Place

by Joe Mertzlufft

 

I will start by thanking Peggy Landwehr for running the March meeting. I have seen the video, and George and Tom gave good presentations on iTunes. 

 

Don’t forget that our April meeting is “Bring a Guest Month". All members are encouraged to bring guest(s). We will even give you, the member, an extra slip for the door prize drawings for every guest you bring. Bring two guests and you get to enter three times.

 

The following people won door prizes

Dan Walsh Apple pen

Margie Stevenson $15 iTunes card

Jane Szabados Apple bag

Tom Vaughn CES T-shirt

Shubha Miller iPad case

Mel Kallal iPad case

Jim Stevenson Apple waterbottle

Janet Gallaher Speck iPhone 5 case

Julie Smith Speck iPhone 6 case

Bonnie Friehling (two iPhone 4 cases not accepted)

 

Our upcoming April 7th, 2015, meeting (see agenda below) will feature presentations from George Kopp (who will share ways to manage your Photos) and Julie Smith (giving tips on how to take photos).  We will start the meeting by introducing all our guests -- we are bringing extra snacks so don’t let me down. As always, there will be time for everyone to ask questions and share your tips and tricks to the group. Continue to visit our website for more updates and fresh information.

iClock Pro: Amazing Time Date App Control

a review by Tom Piper

Viewing time on my Mac always seemed like a mundane sight, something I glanced at in the upper-right of my screen. Certainly, it was adjustable to add the date and day of week, analog or digital face, but still pretty unexciting. But, I recently learned from a Hawaiian friend, that a modest investment can open up a whole new world of interesting information. Clearly, I didn’t know what I was missing.

iClock Pro from Plum Amazing is truly “the Essential Mac Menubar Clock” which they advertise. It is described as “a time hub which replaces the Mac OS X clock with many more useful menus, options and applications that everyone can use in day to day life.” That really is a very significant understatement.

After a simple download and install, I was greeted with the opportunity to view time in a variety of ways. First of all, I can activate the Time, Date and/or Application Menu with a simple checkmark. Then, in a sidebar, I can select any of the following: 

• Time Menu, which reveals editable Menu Items (show IP and network information, location names/times, time zones, menu format, color, drop shadow, font, and additional items under the time menu including calendar, floating clocks, stop watch, web info, countdown time and calculator), Alarms (type of menu bar icon, notification times, predefined or editable titles, and Growl support), Chimes (speak the hours with over 65 voices available, play any of a dozen sounds {or get your own} for hour/qtr-hour/half-hour/3qtr-hour, or select a quiet time {like when sleeping}, and change volume), and Stock Portfolio (view any of 16 pre-selected stocks and/or select my own with the option to change the color or font of stock items and changes, plus a host of extras likes highs, lows, trade dates/times and much more)
• Date Menu which enable a Mini-Calendar (shows To Do items, event deletions, hide feature, float window, color text and two-line mode), Set (date/time or date only), and Day-of-Week to start the calendars.
• Application Menu which enables the ASM (application menu extra) which allows quick access to applications that are open, preference, menu extras and recent applications), Activity Information (amount of time each application was active), and Sub-Menus (System Preferences, System Menu Extra and Recent Menu items)

As if that’s not enough, Hot Keys can be set for many functions like the Calculator, Calendar To-Do/Events List and others, plus being able to set my own Time Zone, access a comprehensive Manual, and provide feedback to the software authors (and they do listen for improvements and features). It is truly amazing all of the features included in the program, many of which I didn’t even know that I needed, but now won’t live without!

For only $18, iClock Pro can be purchased and quickly downloaded from plumamazing.com/mac/iclock. This is only one of a large array of interesting, useful and versatile programs available for the MacOS and iOS (and Android and Windows) from Plum Amazing (plumamazing.com). My daily Mac use is now much improved with this addition, well worth this small investment in productivity.

50W 6-Port USB Charger: Desktop Power for Every Device

a review by Tom Piper

Electronic device power charging has become ever more challenging. With several iPhones, three iPads, and bunches of hungry other USB-charged cameras and gadgets, I am constantly switching cables and looking for more power. Thankfully, I found at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show a great new USB charger just entering the market.

The SEENDA 50W 6-port USB Desktop Charger (model ICH-S05) is now available to charge my iPhones, iPads and other USB devices (will also charge Samsung, smartphone, and tablets). It will simultaneously support six USB devices charging at the same time with SI technology and intelligent identification which delivers fastest possible charging speed.

This compact unit has the highest power output (up to 50W, 5V/10A), which makes it easier and quicker to charge. With a Negative Temperature Coefficient Thermostat unit inside, it will never exceed 65° preventing overheating and providing explosion protection. With its small portable ABS design (about 4” x 2.6” x 1”), its great for home, office and travel use. It is compatible with all new iPhones, iPads and other devices.

I keep my Seenda Desktop Charger on my work desk with several Apple Lightening cables, an older Apple 30-pin cable, a USB mini and two USB micro cables plugged into it, ready for immediate use. It couldn’t be easier to use, just unpack, plug it in, and start charging. This is a great unit that charges faster than most of my USB chargers.

For more information, visit seenda.com/charger. In order to purchase your own Seenda Charger for $17.85, go to seendasz.en.alibaba.com where it is available in black, white, red, green or blue (discounts available for multiple units). Seenda makes many other fine products that can be seen at seenda.com.

APPHOME Selfie Stick: Remote Control Photo Extender

a review by Tom Piper

The iPhone is a great camera, but when I want to take a picture of myself (particularly in a group), my are just isn’t long enough. The same is true if I’m trying to shot a video over a crowd, like at a parade. Now, I have a great solution that I saw at CES 2015.

The APPSHOT-M from APPHOME (available from Seenda), is an extendable, rotating “selfie” stick. It has a sturdy aluminum alloy monopod structure, with a remote control Bluetooth 3.0 shutter, which can be strapped onto the stick with the included velcro belt (or held in my hand, pocket, belt or elsewhere). 

This selfie stick can also act as an extension of a tripod, be compatible with a carabineer, and is perfect for traveling, hiking, camping, weddings, parties, concerts, sports events, parades and other venues. It is easy to setup (just pair the Bluetooth shutter with the iPhone), and easy to extend (or collapse) with just a twist of the stick and pull (or push). 

The bottom has a wrist strap attached, and also includes a handy 1/4” hole threaded for a small tripod, carabineer or other attachment. Other features include:

• Adjustable ABS phone holder (large enough for my iPhone 6 plus
• Compact size when folded (less than 9”), and light weight, easy to carry and store
• Rubber pads grip and protect my iPhone or almost any smart phone
• Removable velcro strap combines the shutter and stick when preferred
• Adjustable thumb screw angle which can be locked in the desired position
• Perfect for digital camera, GoPro or other action camera, mini camera, or mobile phone

I found this extension of my arm easy to use, handy to carry, and convenient for those selfie pictures and above-the-crowd videos. To learn more, go to seenda.com/appshot. To purchase for $39.99, go to seendasz.en.alibaba.com. Seenda makes many other fine products that can be seen at seenda.com.

[EXPOSE] Smart: Enhanced iPhone Light

a review by Tom Piper

“The best camera you have is the one with you!” The one with me most of the time is my iPhone 6 plus, which is a superb camera, but the photo flash is only effective for short distances. A great vendor at CES 2015 has a great solution for low-light and longer distance issues.

The (EXPOSE] Smart Video Light for iPhone is beautifully engineered to complement both the iPhone’s aesthetic and its camera's beam angle. It works seamlessly via a custom Bluetooth app, and gives me total control over brightness, flash mode and white balance. This light outputs up to 130 lumens from nine hi-power LEDS, which is 6x more powerful than iPhone’s built-in light. With an integrated USB rechargeable battery, the light takes no power from the iPhone, ensuring that I can film and photograph at night, or anywhere inside that I like. 

Other specifications include a 180 mAh USB rechargeable lithium polymer battery (2.5 hour charge time), red LED low-battery and green charged light, 20-70 minute run-time (high to low setting), adjustable brightness and white balance with free app, compatible with 4s, 5/5s and 6/6+ iPhones, and very portable (while easy to store).

The light can be controlled either by the app via Bluetooth, or manually with a push-switch. The flash will momentarily glow when a photo is taken, or continuously for a video, synchronized with the action of the iPhone app.

This is a very light-weight, compact and handy light that is easily pocketed, or carried in a gadget or photo bag. The included micro USB cable makes it easy to recharge almost anywhere. It comes with four interchangeable attachment clips for use with or without an iPhone case (my only complaint is that these are not long enough for a Ballistic or Otterbox heavy-duty case).

Available in black or white for $59.95 at http://usd.knog.com.au/expose-smart.html, I believe most users (like me) would find this extra light a real bonus for low-light conditions. Knog is already well known for great products from Australia like the Qudos GoPro light and cool Blinder bike lights. This unit brightens my world of iPhone photography!

CES 2015 Gadgets at 03/03/15 appleJAC Meeting

a review by Tom Piper

In discussing Apple-related new products at the March 3, 2015, appleJAC regular meeting, as a follow-up to my CES 2015 Report about the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV, on January 6-9, I presented five more items (including the unmentioned cool keyboard cover).

Due to popular demand, I have also listed these below. A picture, title, MSRP price and internet page is shown for each. As they arrive, more items will be shown at future meetings.

 

Mobile-Catch: Unique Phone Grip . . . $24.99
http://www.mobile-catch.com

  

App Shot-M: Remote Control Photo Extender . . . $16.99
http://www.amazon.com/Jelly-Comb-Telescopic-Professional-Bluetooth/dp/B00Q2NOSTI

 

KB Covers: Protective Keyboard Personality . . . $29.95
http://kbcovers.com/College-Keyboard-Cover

 

Mountie Clip: Innovative iDevice Support . . . $24.95
https://tenonedesign.com/mountie.php

 

Levo Holders: Distinctive iPad mini Whole-Body Protectors . . . $189.99
http://levostore.com/products/levo-g2-deluxe