appleJAC Users Group

March 2024 Meeting Presentations

    

The March 5, 2024, meeting videos about Getting the Most Use Out of Your iOS Devices  can be viewed by seeing the video of the first half of the meeting (Apple Announcements, Apple Vision Pro presentation, Q&A) is available at https://www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/videos/1660203728117654; and for the second half (apps), click on https://www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/videos/252554077922605 (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

For Tom's slides, just click on AJ slideshow 03-05-24 (the blue links will also go to interesting websites). For Julie's slide, click on View this photo, for Peggy's slide, click on IOS Tips, and for George's information, click on 10 MacOS lesser known features.

The next appleJAC meeting will be April 2, 2024.

October 2023 appleJAC Presentations

 

The October 3, 2023, meeting videos about new Apple Products including hardware and operating systems presented by Tom Piper, George Kopp, Joe Mertzlufft, Alice Kopp and Peggy Landwehr can be viewed by seeing the video of the first half of the meeting (Tips & Tricks by Joe Mertzlufft, Q&A, Apple Hardware and iOS17) is available at facebook.com/appleJAC.org/634497265469542; and for the second half (iPadOS17, WatchOS10, AppleTVOS10), click on facebook.com/appleJAC.org/724183772874553 (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

PDF versions of the presentations can be downloaded by clicking on Tom's video link (macrumors.com/apple-announced), George's slideshow (Whats New in iOS 17), Joe's video link (youtube.com/iPadOS17), Alice's slideshow (Apple WatchOS 10), and Peggy's slideshow (Apple WatchOS 10).

The next appleJAC meeting will be November 7, 2023, about 15 Gadgets in 60 Minutes at Kennedy Hall in IC Schools.

 

appleJAC on the Radio

KWOS Open Air Saturday with Hal Dulle at 8:00am on December 3, 2022, hosted an interview with appleJAC President Tom Piper. The topic was technology with lots of discussion about iPhones and Apple-related products, along with electric cars and predictions of future technology.

In order to listen to this 46-minute session (advertisements removed), just click on:

Open Air Saturday 12-03-22

Any observations, reactions or comments may be sent to Tom at [email protected].

 

Omni-Electronics Power Chargers: Fast & Durable

a review by Tom Piper

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard established in 1996 for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply for many electronic devices. New technology has produced devices that are super-fast speed, small size and very sturdy construction with USB-C 3.1 units leading the field. 

At CES 2022, I acquired the OMNI CHARGER MINI for cell phone and tablet. It is very small (W 1.2” x H 1.2” x D 1.5”, about a 1/4” larger than Apple’s iPhone charger) with high power density and low heat (due to Gallium nitride (GaN) application). Its Fast Charge Mode (30W max) supports my latest iPhone 12 and 13 models, as well as my new iPad mini, and other Android models. Input supports the Largest Global Voltage Range (90V~264Vac) with Output of USB-C of 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A at Level VI efficiency.

For more power, I also acquired the OMNI CHARGER MAX for phone, tablet, notebooks and big gaming laptops. It too is small (W 1.1” x H 2.1” x D 2.1”, about a 1/4” larger than Apple’s iPad charger), also with even higher power density and low heat (due to Gallium nitride (GaN) application). Its Fast Charge Mode (65W max) supports everything the MINI does with both a USB-A (18W) and a USB-C (45-65W) port to charge two devices at once. The 65W adaptor has a surge protector that automatically resets itself once a power surge is detected, protecting my Mac. iPhone and iPad. This internal reset makes the adaptor usable again, while other 65W chargers do not reset and are rendered useless. Supported protocols for both chargers include Apple Mode, macOS, iOS, PPS (Omni Operating System Compatibility), Windows, Android, and Chrome OS.

In order to charge my iPhone 13 Pro Max, the OMNI USB-C TO 90° LIGHTNING CABLE completed my acquisitions. At 48” long, this white and silver braided micro-chipped cable will handle fast charging and connectivity speed of 480Mbps. I also really like the 90° reinforced jack which is great for gaming and movies while charging and transferring data. It is the perfect compliment to the Omni chargers.

These combination of devices are wonderful for home, work and travel, not only because of their small size and cool operation, but also due to their extra power and duality of charging. This can shorten the time to recharge our valuable devices, and lengthen our productivity and enjoyment time!

To learn more about these devices, go to https://omni-electronics.com where the chargers are available in black or white, and the cable in tiffany green, rose gold, pacific blue, white and black. These products will be available for consumer purchase at the end of April with the adaptors starting at USD30 and cables from USD15 for respective specifications. Visit their website for pre-orders or ask your local stores to carry Omni products. This is a wonderful solution for charging our iPhones, iPads and Macs from a company with a long and dependable history of quality and effective digital products.

 

November 2021 Meeting Resources

The November 2, 2021, 7:00pm CDST, monthly meeting of appleJAC User Group about 30 Gadgets in 60 Minutes and macOS 12.01 Monterey had 25 people in attendance. The videos of this meeting before and after the break can be viewed by clicking on facebook.com/appleJAC.part1 and facebook.com/appleJAC.part2.

In order to view the PDF slideshow of George's macOS Monterey, Joe's Tips and Tricks, Jason's Apple announcement and all the gadgets at this meeting, just click on this link: applejac-november-2021-topics.

 

Dan's Tutorials for FREE

from Tom Piper, appleJAC President

Dan's Tutorials Apple Training video sessions are now offered for FREE to Apple user group members until the end of October, 2021. In order to access a video, just click on one of the links below (the contents are described at the end of each link).

• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-send-a-group-email-on-the-iphone/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-translate-a-website-from-one-language-to-another-in-safari-on-the-mac/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-reply-to-messages-within-a-group-message-on-the-iphone/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-set-what-happens-when-you-tap-the-back-of-the-iphone-twice-or-three-times-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-go-back-through-an-apps-history-stack-on-the-iphone-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-the-fundamentals-of-the-mac-have-not-changed-with-macos-big-sur-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-save-an-entire-webpage-as-a-pdf-in-safari-on-the-iphone-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-easily-easily-navigate-between-your-different-home-screens-on-the-iphone-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/hpxxxxx-framework-will-damage-your-computer-message-in-macos-mojave-or-catalina/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-close-all-your-open-tabs-in-safari-on-the-iphone-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-send-a-group-email-on-the-iphone/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-translate-a-website-from-one-language-to-another-in-safari-on-the-mac/
• Learn how to view the size of your folders within a Finder window on the Mac
• Register for my AMA Webinar being held on Thursday, March 25 at 3pm EST.
• Learn how to favorite your mailboxes for quick access within the Mail app on the Mac
• Stop Apple Watch Timer Alerts with a Press of the Digital Crown
• The Future of Apple Retail
• It’s Time to Consider Upgrading to macOS 11 Big Sur
• Learn a few tips on troubleshooting your bluetooth connects on your Mac.
• Origin of macOS Poof Animation

A screenshot of the lessons above is provided below for a visual reference (don't click on them, the are not active links) . . . 

appleJAC Oct. 6 presentations

New OSs & Other Apple Announcements

A video of the entire October 6, 2020, online Virtual Meeting using Zoom about New OSs & Other Apple Announcements, just click on this link: https://youtu.be/0PkaJtF_BLA.

If you would like to download and view Jason Piper's slides from his presentation about "iPadOS 14 & iOS 14", then click on: Download appleJAC-2020-10-iOS.

In order to download and view Alice Kopp's keynote presentation about "watchOS 7 & tvOS 14", just click on: Download Watchos 7 and TVos 14.key.

A copy of Tom Piper's slides from his presentation about "Other Sept. 15 Apple Event announcements" is available for download and viewing by clicking on: Download Apple OTHER pres.

 

Eve Water Guard: Great Leak Protection

a review by Tom Piper

Have you (or anyone you know) come home from a trip to find your floor flooded due to a washer malfunction, or a leaky water heater, or faulty pipe? Water damage can be extensive to flooring, carpet, electronics, storage and so much more. It negatively affects our quality of life, results in expensive repair bills, and is something that happens very frequently. If only you had some early way of knowing that your floor just got wet . . . now there is!

The Eve Water Guard is a simple device that detects water leaks and alerts me the moment they occur both visually and audibly, using an app on my iPhone 11 Pro Max. As stated on the Eve website, according to industry statistics, about one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. The causes are innumerable, with many leaks going undetected for long periods. They can range from burst pipes, a leaky dishwater outlet, a loose connection under the sink, a broken washing machine, a downpour that floods the basement to an overflowing bathtub – and practically anything else in between. 

When water leaks out, I need to act swiftly to prevent worse damage. Eve Water Guard will alert me immediately with its loud 100 dB siren and bright red flashing warning light. It will also notify me by iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Since I also have several home hubs (an Apple TV and HomePod), I also get notifications when I’m away from home. This innovative device monitors large areas of any room thanks to its supplied 6.5 ft sensing cable that serves as a full-length sensor (if more length is needed, I can extend it up to an incredible 490 ft). Thus, every part of my room is monitored, leaving nowhere for water to leak out or pool undetected.

My Eve Water Guard is located in the basement, with the sensor cable running under my water heater and softener, which is directly under my clothes washer on the floor above. I also plan to place another unit under our kitchen sink since the dishwasher is right next to it. Installation took less than 10 minutes with simple instructions to link the device to my network via my iPhone. The control icon now appears in my Home app, and notifies me that it is ready (after running an initial water test). It is very comforting to have this protection.

Another advantage is that the Eve app reminds me at regular intervals to check that Eve Water Guard is working correctly by using a soft alarm that’s gentle on the ears. And, if the siren is triggered, I can mute Eve Water Guard via my iPhone, even if I’m away from home, because of my home hub.

Because I already have a number of HomeKit accessories, in case of an alarm, they all work in concert with this device. I can create a “scene” in which my Eve Energy (see separate review) switches off my washing machine to stop even more water flooding out. I can also use AirPlay 2 to sound an additional alarm another part of my multi-story condo. It doesn’t matter where I am at any time since my Apple TV (and HomePod) makes all this possible. It’s easy to set scenes quickly using Siri, my Control Center, or Apple Watch. 

I can engage accessories using the Home app on my iPhone, iPads, or iPod touch. Not only that, but I can see concise records, gain insights, and enjoy full control of my connected home, all with the free Eve app. And, all data is end-to-end encrypted and stored on my iPhone or iPad. It is comforting to know that, equipped with Bluetooth low energy technology, Eve accessories ensure reliable operation independently of bridges. In every case, setup is quick and easy, and energy consumption is minimal.

More information about the Eve Water Guard is available at https://www.evehome.com/en-us/eve-water-guard. The regular purchase price is $79.95 (USD), and a 25% discount is available if you are an Apple user group member. Like all Eve devices, this is a dependable, high-quality, durable product at a reasonable price that will bring you great satisfaction, just as it has for me!

 

PHONUM Speakerphone: Wireless Wonder

a review by Tom Piper

The first speakerphone was designed by Ericcson in the 1930s. In the 1940s, a hard-wired model was introduced with a separately-powered amplifier, a microphone and speaker (placed separately), and a special telephone with extra buttons for switching between talking on the loudspeaker and microphone or speaking through the handset. This equipment was primarily intended for managers in an office environment. Now, over 80 years later, anyone with a smartphone has speakerphone features, all of which are limited in their quality, functionality and proximity. More advanced professional speakerphones are now available for modern phone use.

The Phonum from beyerdynamic is a true wireless bluetooth speakerphone which easily connects to smartphones or computers for phone calls via Bluetooth and USB-connection. It was specifically developed using Gecko 360° technology with innovative Fix & Follow Voice-Tracking using a special design of three capsules in the microphone array ensuring clear 360° voice transmission. With its downfire premium speaker, this unit has phenomenal surround-sound when it comes to communication.

The grille on top implies that the loudspeaker is overhead, but that is actually where the microphones are located. The speaker is not visible because it is directed downward to allow sound to be radiated completely around the room. This speakerphone adapts fully to the people in the meeting room, depending on where they are sitting or moving about at the time. The perception of sound is uniform, understandable and distinct due to its echo and noise cancellation features. It is rather small at 5.4” across by 2.5” thick, and weighing in at less than a pound, yet having a very solid well-built feel. 

The Phonum has a wide variety of uses including speaking freely on one-to-one calls or moving about the room freely with groups and audiences. I can hold Skype conferences, standard conference calls or simple calls to make presentations, talks and discussions of all types. Meetings can be conducted quickly and easily via videoconference apps like Skype for Business, Cisco WebEx Meetings, Cisco WebEx Teams, Google Hangouts and Zoom as audio and video calls. Distance is not a problem anymore because communication is usually variable and dynamic. It has the best speech intelligibility without distracting effects like echo, noise or interruptions. This results in a convenient discussion atmosphere and a focus on essential information.

This speakerphone is packaged in a very attractive and durable thick-sleeved box that contains the unit, an excellent zippered case, power adapter, USB charging cable and useful instructions. Initial setup was simple and straight-forward as I paired it via Bluetooth to my iPhone 11 Pro Max (alternately, I could have used NFC). I also was able to connect it to my 16” MacBook Pro with its USB  cable. Once I turned it on with the button pressed on the side, operation thereafter was just like a regular phone call or Skype call (Webex worked great too). The intuitive touch panel on top allowed me to accept or end a call, increase or decrease speaker volume, or change microphone settings (mute, beamforming mode which follows the speaker, cardioid mode for selectable fixed direction, or omnidirectional for input all around). Battery status is announced when power is turned on, or when the Li-Ion battery is very low (operating time is over 12 hours). It charges while plugged into a computer (even while in use), or using a USB charger (recharge in 3 hours). Status lights kept me well informed about Bluetooth, volume, power, battery and microphone conditions. It even includes instructions on how to update the firmware to assure the operation of the speakerphone.

The Phonum is available at https://north-america.beyerdynamic.com/phonum.html $249.00 (USD), with free shipping. Beyerdynamic is a robust company of high quality consumer and professional products including microphone systems, speakers, headphones and headsets located in New York, with headquarters in Germany. With almost 100 years of experience in audio and headset products, they are characterized by the company’s desire to innovate and continuously develop technology. I strongly recommend this and any of the products from beyerdynamic.

 

Macstock V

by Tom Piper

Macstock V was held July 27-28, 2019, in Woodstock, IL, with over 200 devoted Apple enthusiasts in attendance. 

This two-event provided a wide variety of educational presentations, excellent exhibits by Other World Computing (OWC), and fun-filled evenings with many others with this common interest. For more information about the details, click on: macstockconferenceandexpo.com.

For pictures of this fifth annual meeting of Apple devotees, just click on: www.icloud.com/MacstockV.

Shuttercase: Ingenious Battery Case & Photo Tool

a review by Tom Piper

The visual quality and clarity of smart phone images has now become so good that they are frequently used more as cameras, than as communication devices. I have used many different iPhone holders, grips, selfie-sticks, and handles over the years, but have now found a battery case that truly improves my photography skills.

The new Shuttercase is a slender black easy-to-mount case with a 3000mAH battery inside a detachable leather-surface Camera Handle articulated with a special shutter button and thumb rest. It almost feels like my Sony DSLR mirrorless camera with this handy grip. It  also provides a convenient way to sit my iPhone on my desk for easy viewing, or to take a picture remotely using my Apple Watch as the shutter button.

As the creators of the Shuttercase say, it is “. . . made out of love by photo-hobbyists who are engineers, for photo-hobbyists who shoot smartphones. It takes us 20 months of research and design, 8 versions of making and remaking prototypes, days and nights of discussions and brain-storms, to finally bring a faint sparkle in the mind to a solid tool now in your hand. We care what we create.” 

Since they designed it to mimic the shape and feel of classic dedicated cameras, they added a camera handle with a battery inside which doubles the camera’s power while shooting. Thus, taking photos with the iPhone becomes like an old-style camera, but more convenient, more comfortable to control, and free to create. It has a solid feel with durable and reliable design that can be used with any camera app on the last four generations of iPhones. If I were to suggest adding anything, it would be a 1/4” mount for a tripod (but I have brackets with this mount that fit the case just fine).

Installing the iPhone into the case is simple and straight-forward, as is its extraction, when not needed. The battery requires separate insertion of the battery cable (which is securely nested in the handle), but it can be easily replaced with the included flat cover when the battery is not needed. The case has an embedded mechanical button on the top (when in horizontal position) for very convenient shutter use. The unit is designed for right-handed use, so lefties must adapt.

A rubber thumb-rest is quick to install which provides an excellent way to grip the case for one-handed shooting (a second is also thoughtfully included, should the first be damaged or lost). I was pleased that an 8” tether was included that attaches to the case corner below the battery to protect against accidental drops. A detachable mount for add-on lenses (available in black or white) is also included, compatible with the SiRui and Moment V2 lens for the first iPhone lens (Shuttercase plans to release its own lens soon). A video about this lens can be seen at https://vimeo.com/283858341. 

The unit ships in a very attractive box and includes one Shuttercase, a 3000mAH battery camera handle, one micro USB-USB charging cable, one grey pouch for camera handle, one black nylon tether rope, one leather-surface effect hand grip to replace the camera handle, and two thumb buttons (no add-on lens or leather strap is included). It measures 3” x 5.8” x 0.2” (0.9” at the camera handle), and weighs in at 2.3 oz for the case plus 2.4 oz for the battery grip, together less than 0.3 lb. This is lighter than the iPhone XS Max (7.4 oz) or the iPhone X (6.2 oz) . . . when the full unit is added, the total weight is still about 2/3 of a pound, which is considerably lighter and more manageable than most cameras I’ve ever had.

Shuttercase for iPhone Xs/X and XS Max (I have tested both) are regularly priced at $79.99 (USD), but has been sale priced at $59.00 (USD) for a limited time (go to https://www.shuttercase.com/collections/iphone). Shipping is free worldwide by USPS, and it includes a one-year warranty and 30-day free return if not satisfied. The iPhone 8Plus/7Plus version is available for $49.00 (USD), an additional camera handle battery grip is available for $28.00 (USD), and a separate lens mount is $1.50 (USD). More information is available at https://www.shuttercase.com/products/shuttercase-xs-for-iphone-xs.

 

Apple Tech on KWOS Open Air 08-04-18

Apple Technology of past, present and future was discussed on Open Air Saturday, hosted by Hal Dulle, with guests Peggy Landwehr, George Kopp, and Tom Piper.

To listen to this 26 minute segment on your computer, just click on OpenAirSat KWOS 080418

 

 
 

HookUpz Amazing Smartphone Optic Adapter

a review by Tom Piper

There were many fascinating and innovative devices shown at the 2017 Consumer Electronic Show (CES). Here is another which really grabbed my attention. I’ve had a number of devices that would hold my phone close to an eyepiece, but this one really does the job well.

The HookUPz 2.0 Smartphone Optic Adapter from Carson Optical, Inc. may be the best lightweight device that I have ever used. i can connect my iPhone 7 plus to any of optical tools, including binoculars, monoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, microscopes, borescopes, slit lamps, night vision and more that have a similar eyepiece (not for rifle scopes, though). This allows me to digitally record and capture everything I see through my optical device, then immediately share it by text, email or even social media.

According to Carson’s website, this patented HookUpz 2.0 has been designed to accommodate all the popular smartphones on the market, including the larger-sized phones and phablets — even with their cases on, like mine. It is super-compact, lightweight and offers a user-friendly design. It fits a wide range of optics with an outer eyepiece diameter of 25-58mm. It weighs about half a pound, and measures about 5.8” x 2.5” x5 .8” in size. It even comes with a special “lens spacer” especially for optics with small eyepieces (microscope, telescopes, others) or eyepieces with long eye relief, which is a way for the image to fill the screen of the smartphone, rather than viewing it within a smaller circle on the screen. As an added bonus, when not in use, the adapter stores nicely in the included hard-foam carrying case.

When I first connected my iPhone to my 10x25 monocular, it was quick and easy. The exclusive, adjustable clamp and optic cam lock ensured a snug grip to both my phone and optic. I’ve not been able to achieve a “full frame” telephoto shot, rather an “image circle”, which is predictable, but crystal clear and most impressive. When mounted to my telescope, the lens spacer was needed, which then delivered a startlingly crisp image. Using it on a spotting scope provided a similar experience. My only suggestions are that the green “grippers” be longer when used with the spacer, and that an optional tripod mount be made available, particularly for monoculars.

I was very impressed by the demonstration video (showing many of the exciting ways to use this adapter with various optical devices), as well as the videos and pictures for proper mounting and adjustment, use with different types of phones, sizing guides, and online instruction manual. Their Q&A section covers virtually every topic I could think of, and many that hadn’t occurrd to me.

The HookUpz 2.0 is available at http://www.carson.com for a very reasonable $89.00. Carson Optic, Inc. also has a wide variety of other high-quality products like binoculars, magnifiers, spotting and rifle scopes, and much, much more.

 

GumDrop Cases: Portable Protection at Its Best

a review by Tom Piper

Protection for our portable iDevices has become a big and very important industry, because shielding our investments from harm is vital to our future enjoyment. Gumdrop is a California-based company founded by a pair of innovative and progressive developers who simply wanted to design stylish heavy-duty cases for people on-the-go. I have extensively used their DropTech iPhone 6 plus and 7 plus cases, as well as their DropTech iPad Pro 12.9” and iPad Air 2 cases, plus their Hideaway iPad Pro 12.9” case. 

The Gumdrop DropTech Series delivers ultimate protection for all of my devices. These feature a built-in screen protector (on the iPhones), a Polycarbonate snap frame, built-in hide-away stand, and a rugged silicone case. Dual-material construction provides multiple layers of shock absorption, yet still allowing for easy accessibility, and full access to mic, speaker and charging port with full protection.

The snug fit of these cases allows for complete protection along with delightful comfort. DropTech cases are ready to take on just about any job, adventure and environment. Their rugged technology benefits most all industries such as farmers in the Midwest, to high-volume restaurants, to over 2,500+ K-12 schools nationwide. This is a case you can depend on, no matter where you are, or how you use it.

The Gumdrop Hideaway Series takes protection to the max for the iPad (and Samsung) tablets with its rugged design, protective case and built-in stand. It features a built-in screen protector, a Polycarbonate snap frame, built-in hide-away stand, and a rugged silicone case. With a variety of color schemes, its a handsome case to show off too.

The Hideaway is the first choice of educators and industry professionals when it comes to providing ultimate protection for iPads. In the classroom, the Hideaway protects a school's technology, makes education more tech friendly, and helps kids with Autism get more out of their learning experience. In radically different settings elsewhere, it helps corn farmers utilize technology in rugged terrain; or, like the New Sous Chef, high-volume restaurants have a safe and convenient way to blend technology into their kitchens.

I have have been using these cases for over month, and find them rugged and durable. The added weight is well worth it to ensure maximum defense against falls, bumps, spills, and other unfortunate accidents. The back-pattern of the cases initially looks like off-road tire tread, but actually feels great during regular carrying, handling and laptop use. These have now become part of my regular use. 

The DropTech case for the new iPhone 7 plus has a strong rubberized edge bumper with a clear protective back (showing my JetBlack unit), plus an excellent easy-to-mount screen on the front. It is easy to grip, but won’t slid on a table, seat cover or other surface (no longer a worry when driving or on slick surfaces).

You can learn more about all of these products at gumdropcases.com. The Droptech iPad Pro 12.9 case is available in Black, Red, and Royal Blue, while the Droptech iPad Pro Air 2 case is available in Red/Black, Black, White/Grey, Black/Red, Army Green/Black, Black/Orange, Light Blue/Royal Blue, and Royal Blue/Lime, both costing $59.95.

The Droptech iPhone 6 plus case is available in Red/Black, Red/Gray, Black/Gray, White/Black, Pink/White, Purple/Lavender, Royal Blue/Lime, Black/Orange, White/Pink, and Light Blue/Royal Blue for $39.95, while the Droptech iPhone 7 plus case is available in White/Blue, and Black/Clear for $34.95. The Hideaway iPad Pro 12.9 is available in Black, Royal Blue/Lime, White/Grey, and Black/Red for $69.95.

Gumdrop products include much more than iDevice cases. They also have protective cases for most Android devices, plus laptop computers (like the MacBook). Also included are the Sleeve Series, Bounce Skin, FoamTech, Softshell, and more. This company’s focus is to provide the best protection possible, in most challenging environments . . . and they are very successful at achieving this at most reasonable prices.

 

Mac/iOS Combo Apps: Maximize Wi-Fi Productivity

a review by Tom Piper (an update to a 2012 posting, see bottom for more info)

For the last two years, I’ve wanted (but have not been able) to record my iPad or iPhone screen to do training videos without using a video camera to capture it. It also seemed to me that we should be able to live broadcast my video camera to my iPad. And, when will I be able to touch-control my Mac screen (without using a Wacom tablet)? The power of AirPlay has helped to now make all of this possible.

AirPlay wireless streaming (originally called AirTunes 2004-2010) was designed to make it easy to tap into your iTunes library through Apple TV. You just open iTunes on your laptop or Apple portable device, and select Apple TV in the AirPlay menu. You can then control the volume remotely, and even stream the music simultaneously to additional AirPlay-compatible components. You can also send music or video from your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad (even play games on your TV using your iPhone as the controller, hearing the soundtrack through your audio system). I have found that I can also play Internet radio stations through iTunes, or sound from my iPhone or iPad apps — including music services such as Pandora Internet radio, Rhapsody, and Last.fm. 

Apple TV gives you a virtually unlimited selection of high-definition movies, TV shows, video, and photos to explore. This wireless digital media receiver can play music from your computer, show photos from your iPhone, even access your media collection stored online in the iCloud. The newest Apple TV can stream full 1080p high-definition video and audio. You'll enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies and even photo slideshows in breath-taking 1080p resolution. And, with the ability to deliver Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, your movies and shows will sound as good as they look, all for only $99.99.

But, if you have an iPad 2, the new iPad or iPhone 4S, you're not just limited to audio. Your device also has AirPlay Mirroring functionality (introduced in 2011 as part of iOS 5) which means you can wirelessly stream what's on its screen to your TV screen through the Apple TV. Show everyone what's on your device, even when you zoom in or change from portrait to landscape. This concept has been adapted into some really cool apps, four of which I’m describing here because they are cutting-edge innovative multi-device approaches that expand utility and functionally in unique ways that enhance the thrill and excitement of our Mac and iOS device investments.

AirBeam turns your iPhones, iPod touchs or iPads into a realtime audio and video surveillance system. It streams live video and audio from the cameras and microphones of any number of iPhones, iPod touchs or iPads. You can watch the stream on any other iDevice, Mac or Web browser, even on multiple screens simultaneously. Use your iDevices as luxury baby monitors, for serious surveillance, to keep an eye on your pets, a FPV cam in your remote control toys, and hundreds of useful (and not so useful) things you can do with it. Even if you have just a single device, AirBeam is an awesome tool for motion-controlled video recording. This universal app is available on the iTunes Store for $3.99.

Air Display can satisfy your wish for an extra display for your Mac (or Windows) computer. You can use your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch as a wireless display, to extend your computer desktop. Air Display works in both landscape and portrait configurations (you just rotate your screen, and it automatically reconfigures). This makes a laptop much more useful by adding the iPad's 1024x768 display which nearly doubles the screen area of a laptop (except the 2009 15” /17” MacBook Pros) or netbook. Air Display not only gives you a wireless computer screen extender, but also works as a tablet input device. You can use your finger to draw directly on the screen's surface such as with a calculator, painting tool, music control surface, iWorks Inspector, email location, and more (simple gestures allow you to operate the right mouse button and scroll wheel too). This program is available at the Mac App Store for $9.99.

Reflector 2 allows you to use AirPlay to mirror your iPhone 4S, iPad 2 or new iPad to any Mac running OS X 10.6+, wirelessly. I can now easily demo iOS apps on any Mac running OS X Lion using AirPlay Mirroring on iOS 5, and record it using QuickTime, ScreenFlow or other screen recorders. I can now enable/disable an iPhone or iPad “wrapper” (this preserves the look of the device around the screen), change the color, record the screen, and more. Amazingly, I can also display any iOS game on either my 27” iMac or 17” MacBook Pro screen, even show my iPad  2 and iPhone 4S on the screen at the same time (no, you can’t “touch” them, is display). A free trial version (fully-function for 10 minutes) is available at airsquirrels.com/reflector, and the full purchase price is $14.99.

AirParrot will place our Mac's screen on your Apple TV. You can choose the display the AirPlay device will mirror to in order to enjoy your video and audio. Also adjustable is the quality versus speed performance, show the mouse cursor, and adjust that nasty overscan. This program is built from the ground up to support the great things in OS X Lion while also supporting OS X Snow Leopard. A free trial version (fully-function for 10 minutes) is available at www.airparrot.com, and the full purchase price is $9.99.

These are amazing Mac and iOS apps which fully utilize the power of Wi-Fi through Airplay and Apple TV to achieve a new level of productivity. And, they are FUN to boot!

I've also been recently informed of another comparative review of ways to record screen videos by JP Zhang which can be found at softwarehow.com/ios-screen-recorder-guide. Its just amazing what you can do with these great apps!

 

Elgato Avea Flare: Wireless Portable Glow

a review by Tom Piper

 HomeKit technology now provides wonderful lighting controlled by a variety of related devices and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. At CES 2016, I reconnected with Elgato who has a nice range of such excellent devices.

The Avea Flare from Elgato just brought dynamic light moods into many locations in my life. It is a battery-powered, wirelessly-charged LED lamp which illuminates any place I put it for more than 8 hours on a single charge (the charging base is innovative, just set the unit on it in any direction). With IP65 water resistance, my home atmosphere can now extend to the outside and many portable locations (like restaurants and events).

With this light, I control my ambience from my iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. It is truly amazing to easily select any of the carefully crafted settings with subtly changing light which include Magic Hour, Northern Glow, Cherry Blossom, Mountain Breeze, Cozy Flames, Sunny Field, Fairy Woods, Caribbean Sea, Candy Land, or Calm Provence.

Avea connects directly to my iDevices (or someone else’s Android phone) using Bluetooth Smart technology, without requiring additional gateways or bridges. But it doesn't stop there because, once I have chosen a light scene, the smart LED lightbulb will take care of the rest, not requiring a constant connection to your phone or iPad. Only two controls on the bottom: Power and Mode.

Now, I can also connect to more than one Avea (like my Avea Bulb), and they will automatically coordinate their lighting to create an even more immersive atmosphere. What’s more is that my Apple Watch makes it easier than ever to pick the perfect lighting for my changing mood. I can raise my wrist to view the current status of Avea at a glance, and effortlessly transform my home with a simple tap. 

After a relaxing evening, I can even set my alarm using the built-in wake-up light scene. With Avea, I can wake up to a natural sunrise, right in my bedroom. Adjustable brightness and vividness are also just a slider away on (on either Flare or Bulb, or both combined). My favorite is Candy Land that slowly shifts from among all the colors (very relaxing). I can’t say enough great things about this unique enhancement to my life. You can learn more about it at elgato.com/avea.

This unit is a great buy at only $99.95, available from Elgato at elgato/flare, or from Amazon for $79.95 at amazon/flare. Avea Flare is part of a growing family of products including Avea Bulb (mood bulb, $39.95), and Avea Sphere (only available in Europe). I’ve used Elgato products for decades, and find them delightful, economical, reliable and very useful.

Scanners: July 5 presentations

"Scanners: Flat-Top, Feeder, iPhone, iPad" was the topic of the July 5, 2016, appleJAC meeting.

Tom Piper delivered a presentation about several portable and innovative scanners that work with desktop computers, iPhones and iPads. His slideshow can be downloaded at Scanner Presentation.

Elgato Eve Energy: Wireless Sensor/Switch

a review by Tom Piper

HomeKit technology now provides advanced security with end-to-end encryption and authentication between a variety of related devices and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. At CES 2016 I reconnected with Elgato who has a nice range of such excellent devices.

Eve Energy from Elgato is an electrical switch and power meter that helps me to live smarter by knowing more about my home power consumption. It allows me to switch my devices on or off using Siri or with a simple tap, and instantly see how much energy my devices are using. I use my iPhone 6s plus to see my energy consumption at a glance.

Setup is so easy ... after opening the box, the simple instructions describe how the Elgato Eve app should first be downloaded from the Apple App Store, then plug the Eve Energy unit in a wall socket. Using the new Eve app, just select Add Accessory which will “see” the new unit, after which I was able to customize the titling for future reference. Eve connects directly to any iDevice using Bluetooth 4.0 Smart technology, without complicated WiFi setup or the need for a hub, gateway or bridge. 

Once operational, I can use Siri on my iPhone (or iPad, or iPod touch) to control the devices connected to Eve Energy with just my voice. I was able to give custom names to my devices, combine them into groups, and create scenes to control multiple home settings in just one step (if I had multiple units). There is also a button on the unit to manually turn a device on/off. Even better, I can now control Eve Energy when I’m away away from home. Since I already have an Apple TV, my iPhone now can remotely turn devices on and off, launch my favorite scene, or check the status of my home at a glance.

Not only is it nice to be able to see my energy consumption at a glance, but I can also view beautiful graphs by day, month or year. This allows me to gain insights that help me improve my comfort, and make my home a smarter place. It is a great companion to my Eve Room (see more below) and Avea mood lamp.

Eve requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 9.1 or later. HomeKit requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 8.1 or later. Controlling HomeKit-enabled accessories away from home requires an Apple TV (3rd generation or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later and an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 8.1 or later (iPad 2 is not supported).

This unit is a great buy at only $49.95, available at elgato.com/eve-energy. Eve Energy is part of a growing family of products including Eve Room (wireless indoor air quality, temperature and humidity sensor, $79.95), Eve Door & Window (wireless contact sensor, $39.95), and Eve Thermo (thermostatic radiator valve, not currently available in US). I’ve used Elgato products for decades, and find them economical, reliable and very useful.

 

DoorBird Video doorbell: Door Answering from Anywhere

a review by Tom Piper

I’ve been a video doorbell user for several years with a SkyBell. At CES 2016, I was introduced to another competing vendor with a very robust product.

The DoorBird Video Door Station D101 with a white polycarbonate housing has been my test model for the past few weeks. It allows me to speak with my visitors and open my door (if I had an electric lock) by my iPhone (or iPad) from anywhere in the world. It can actually be paired with up to 8 devices (like iPhones, iPads, and Androids). With this unit, I will not need to miss any more deliveries or visitors since I will be informed right away when the person rings.  

It really has a broad field of vision. Thanks to the integrated high-end motion sensor, I can know what happens in front of my home with the 180° camera lens and infrared motion sensor can which has the ability to set off an alarm without ever touching the doorbell unit. 

It has a durable all-weather case with temperature-resistant from just below 0° F to over 100°F, and rain water protection (in accordance with IP54 industry standard), all packaged in a stylish product design (high quality stainless steel models also available). This smart solution is of the highest quality and made in Germany. It has many features which are summarized at below.

Installation was relatively easy, in spite of a multi-language instruction book with tiny print. Thankfully, an easier-to-read online version was conveniently available online. It initially seemed complex only because of the international power unit with adapters, wide variety of connections, wire assemblies, and mounting screws included in the package. A few minutes of reading clarified that it really was easy to install. Downloading and installing the DoorBird app was also simple.

At about 1.5” x 3” x 6”, this unit is rather large for external mounting to replace the doorbell button, but the quality of the speaker, microphone, video camera, and motion detector certainly justify this size. I was amazed at how quickly I was notified of a visitor when the doorbell button was pushed, even when I was out of town. The very wide field of view allowed me to see the visitor plainly, even when they stood close to the door (the infra-red feature is also nice for night vision). I also like the ability to turn on the camera remotely just to view the area in front of the house using my iPhone (cannot yet be viewed from my computer screen, probably later). 

If I had an electric front door lock or garage door opener, with the indoor and outdoor add-on of BirdGuard, I could even see what the visitor is doing after I had opened the door. To go even further, I could send potential burglars packing with a siren of 100dB or a loud announcement using their external speaker. Unfortunately, the DoorBird is not HomeKit compatible.

The DoorBird Video Door Station D101 can be viewed and purchased for $349.00 at doorbird.com (available colors are black, grey, white and yellow). This innovative idea was developed by the Bird Home Automation Group located in Berlin and San Francisco. The also have nine other models and four accessories to enhance the functionality of this innovative unit. This is a very nice, well-made unit.

 

Dacuda Pocketscan: Incredible Mini-scanner

a review by Tom Piper

Document scanning has been my passion for over 30 years, going as far back as the ThunderScan ribbon cartridge replacement on the early Apple ImageWriter, and ThunderWare handheld scanner. I’ve had sheetfed, flatscreen, pencil-type, bar-type, overhead, portable and tabletop versions (as well as the iPhone apps). My newest scanner discovery is truly awesome!

Dacuda describes its PocketScan as “The World‘s Smallest Wireless Scanner” which is obvious accurate, but a real understatement. I certainly believe that it can be the perfect companion for home, education, work and travel because it can scan almost anything of any size at virtually any time while connected wirelessly to most iOS and Android phones and tablets, as well as Mac and Windows computers. 

Setup is remarkably easy and quick. The box includes the scanner unit, a micro-USB charge cable, a soft cloth pouch, a cleaning cloth, a plastic ScanPad sheet, and Quick Guide instruction sheet (in 8 languages). Since it has a rechargeable battery, it should be plugged in for a few hours first (until the red light turns off). Once fully charged, it needs to be paired to the host device or computer (I started with my iPhone 6s Plus, then used my iPad Pro 12.9”, then my MacBook Pro 15” retina, then my iMac 27” retina . . . each of which had to be paired separately), which connects quickly in each case. There are only two buttons, a small square grey on the bottom (a short press for power, or a long press for pairing), and the large white “S” button on the top (press once to start scan, and again to stop scan).

Once setup is complete, scanning is very intuitive and forgiving. The PocketScan scans using overlapping side-to-side swipes which stitches these images into files of all popular formats such as letter, A4, photos and much more at high-quality output (400 dpi) while recognizing text and tables. It then translates and reads these out to text which can be edited locally. Thanks to the clever built-in illumination, it works under any lighting condition to create a consistently clear scan with bright colors. 

It is amazing simple to use while I watch my scanned image appear on my devise or computer screen during my scanning progress. It is important to do the overlapping scans in a slow steady S-shaped sweeping motion; some practice is needed to get the technique done correctly. An inquiry to Dacuda tech support provided comprehensive and adequate responses to my questions.

Much to my amazement, the integrated text recognition software allows me to directly edit scanned text and tables in Word and Excel. It even works great with applications like Apple iWorks (Pages and Numbers), Evernote or Microsoft Office suite. Tables are transformed into spreadsheets and accurate OCR allows instant text-editing. When the unit’s firmware is updated by Dacuda, it happens automatically via the host that it is connected to (takes about 3 minutes).

PocketScan instantly recognizes text in over 60 different languages, and translates back to English using Google Translate, which in itself is incredible. Since text recognition runs locally on the device, it works great even with poor Internet connectivity. The interactive scan technique allows me to scan things that don't fit in a regular scanner which means unlimited scanning from as small as a business card or receipt (it even comes with a transparent ScanPad to overlay and stabilize small objects), up to a A3 document, picture or drawing (11.7” x 16.5”). 

This scanner is really small (3.7” x 1.9” x 1.0”, 3 oz) and fits perfectly in my pocket so that I can take it wherever I go. It can handle up to 400 scans on a single charge. It communicates with Bluetooth 2.1 or higher, and works with all of my Apple products (compatible with iPhone 5 and above, iPad mini 2nd gen and iPad air and above, Mac OS X 10.10 and above). More compatibility specifications are available on their website.

The Dacuda PocketScan is available for $149 from shop.dacuda.com (also found it for as little as $107.61 at amazon.com/Pocket-Scan). The unit is designed and engineered in Switzerland. Dacuda is a Swiss software company offering a unique content capturing technology based on real-time image processing. Dacuda's patented, proprietary SLAM Scan technology enables fast data entry of text and images, instant editing, as well as easy sharing of contents. It also offers 3D scanning (by iPhone) and 3D printable selfies (for more information, visit dacuda.com).