Apple news

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Apple Stops Development of Aperture, Dropping iPhoto

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        "Apple introduced a new Photos app during its Worldwide Developer Conference . . . " is how the article dated 6-27-14 from the Loop begins.  Ward Stanke sends this article that goes on with some details mentioning iPhoto, and is followed with 256 posted comments. Take a look.   
        Here John Carter jumps in with his observations.  "I am very happy to see this coming. The iPhoto app has not been as powerful as I would like it to be. Aperture also misses the mark. I fully expect that the new Photos app will be at least as good as Elements (layers, etc). A much better search feature also has to be included for iOS. Slideshow need to be available across all devices with a view only capability for sharing. Same for photo Books. We shall see." 

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MacWorld Has Podcasts

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        "You may already be aware of this," begins Jim Hamm,  "but, if not, MacWorld publishes a weekly podcast covering various aspects of the Apple and Mac world. Here is one example, and you also can link to other podcasts from this website. Normally Chris Breen and Serenity Caldwell host the podcasts, but on this particular episode Chris has two other guests.
        "Just something for you to possibly listen to as you work away on your Mac," comments Jim. 

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Clip Art, Photos, Recent Discoveries

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         What a clever picture.  It grabbed my attention and I just had to read what the article said.  Ever said that?
    Google to the rescue.  Well, first I emailed John Carter to ask where he’d found the photo he posted to the pmug.us website.  

         So, I followed his directions and now I can show it to you.
         Google makes it easy to bring up lots of illustrations, clip art, photos.  Here’s a screen shot of the entry I made:  (Click to enlarge this; click again to get back to this page)
    In the search box I had typed “street sign, confused, lost, unclear” not knowing any more descriptive terms for what I wanted.  The first search page allowed me to select “Images.”  
        A huge selection came up, and I could click Show More Results at the bottom of the page.  Click on any illustration and see what the information says.  Some will be stock photos with an embedded watermark.  That means you’ll need to read about licensing, extended license, additional multi-seat License.  Copyright info is on that company’s page.  Click to view Photos, Vectors, Footage, Audio, Mobile, Pricing.  See the company’s phone number, live help number.
      One photo I looked at had a tiny icon in the upper right hand of the page.  Here’s a screen shot of the list that came up. 
      It was fun, clicking to see how the various languages came up in the illustrations. 
        Try it out on some of your blogging or emails.  Your family will be impressed with your knowledge of other languages.

         Looking up “shepherd and sheep”  I scrolled down and when I’d gotten to the 64th picture I found a photo of my son Peter, holding his sheep on his shoulder.  I had posted it to my blog, www.EncouragingU.blogspot.com months ago and  they’ve put it up for anyone to help themselves to the picture.  Clicking on it brings up that page in my blog, with the verses I posted with it.  And on the Google Image page a person can click, bringing it up as JPG 800x533 pixels. 
         We hadn’t thought that it would be automatically available to anyone else.  Hopefully, if someone wanted a copy they’d write and ask for permission.  Maybe that’s wishful thinking, on my part.

Other Recent Discoveries: 
        Planning on selling that nice, older Mac and upping to something new?  You might get some helpful info here:  http://www.mactip.net/how-to-securely-wipe-your-mac-hard-drive-before-selling-it/
        We did decide to go for a new iMac to replace the G4 laptop that Don’s been using.
What do do with a 10 year-old that’s still running, but is before Intel?  We saw the PC column in Courier about recycling or donating.  Asked for info from Prez Art Gorski and John Carter.  John was first to reply, suggesting we donate it to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) in Prescott. A very knowledgeable man there was happy to take it, and we’re delighted to be able to help someone that way. 
        Curious about all those nifty computers from Apple before you took the plunge and bought yours?  http://apple-history.com/pg4   lists highlights from 1976 to 2012. 
        Wondering about the security of your Contact list, alias Address Book?  http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/10/how-apples-address-book-app-could-allow-the-nsa-to-harvest-your-contacts/
        Keeping up with the latest info posted to our PMUG newsblog?  Look into NetNewsWire  https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/10350/netnewswire  I didn’t see a date on this page. 
        With schools and businesses using iPhones and iPads here’s what’s new with features to help the IT shops lock iOS down and make it easier to manage.  http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/02/apples-new-management-features-help-locked-down-ipads-stay-locked-down/
IT’S ALMOST TIME  for nominating PMUG officers for the May election. Give it some thought.  Your experience could mean some encouraging help for others.  You know how much we appreciate your time and your willingness to step up to this challenge.  You help make PMUG a success! 
        Have a chat with Prez Art Gorski, or Vice Prez Dave Rothgery, or Secretary Bobbie Pastor, or Treasurer David Passell.  Or talk to one of the appointed Chairs: John Carter, Ward Stanke, or a Past Prez: Jim Hamm or Howard LaPittus. Each of them has survived as they served our friendly organization!     * * * 

This was today's handout from Elaine Hardt at the PMUG meeting.  See you next time! 
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Here Comes CarPlay

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        Prez Art Gorski is the first in PMUG to bring this alert, "Apple just announced iOS integration with various brands of automobiles. It’s called CarPlay, and basically it lets you use Siri, Apple Maps, Messages, and other iOS services on the screen in your car. Of course, you need a wireless data connection for most of this to work, otherwise you’ll experience CarPlay Tunnel Syndrome."
        Here's Apple's announcement.  Look at all the nifty features, then scroll down to see the car models where CarPlay will be available in 2014 , and then the list of future models from “these committed partners.”    http://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/ 

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Apple is a Worldwide Leader

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        "Here is an article which graphically summarizes what an impact the iPad -- and other tablets -- have had on the computer industry," is how Jim Hamm begins.  "I can remember when the iPad first came out and reading about all the snickering of the name, the cost, the lack of being a 'real' computer, etc, of a tablet. But people sure buy tablets -- to the detriment of PC shipments."
       Jim goes on to comment, "I can also recall Microsoft's Ballmer's derision of the iPhone when it first came out. Now just look how smart phones have taken off. I bet a high % of the population in the U.S. owns one."

       And here's Jim's conclusion, "Like it or not -- technology moves on and leaders of successful companies need to recognize that or fade away. The Blackberry phone comes to mind as I type this statement. Then I look at the stagnation in growth of HP and Dell and think hmmmm?"

Happy Birthday, Mac

     Go to www.apple.com  and see the "Happy Birthday, Mac" and a video of celebration.  Maybe you saw ABC World News tonight with David Muir interviewing Tim Cook.  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2014/01/exclusive-apples-tim-cook-on-nsa-whats-next-as-mac-turns-30/  And following that there was a look at the Mavericks Invitational in Half Moon Bay, California.  http://abcnews.go.com/US/slideshow/mavericks-invitational-surfs-giant-wave-competition-21659953

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Apple In-App Purchases

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          Jim Hamm finds some interesting info.  "Here is an article summarizing the recent FTC ruling on children being able to make in-app purchases and perhaps ringing up a big $ cost. And here is an article by Consumer Reports wherein Google's Play Store allows the same thing, but no FTC involvement there. One wonders why?
        "If, say, you log in to Apple or Google to purchase an app or two, and enter your password, you want the password to remain open for a period of time so you can browse and make purchases without having to constantly reentering your password.

         When you're done, log out so your children -- or anyone else -- can't pick up your device and start making purchases. However, it seems the password remained in cache for a period of time after logging out, and would be available to anyone."
        Jim concludes with, "It seems to me Apple should have corrected this cache problem much quicker, and that the FTC should also look into Google Play store as well, and not just Apple."

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Failure Rate of Laptops

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        "Here is an article listing the failure rates of laptops during the first three years of usage," Jim Hamm writes.  " I was surprised at how high the percentage failures were. I would have guessed a low, one-digit percent. Apple laptops are about in the middle which, again, surprised me. If one buys, for example, a HP laptop you're got a one in four chance of a failure during the first three years. Way too high, in my opinion — as all the percentages are."

        Jim concludes, "From a tech support rating, though, Apple is way ahead of all other computer manufacturers. When support is needed, it's so nice to talk to a person in this country. Fortunately, I haven't needed to do so for quite some time — but I still purchase Apple Care, just in case."  
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Exploding Batteries

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        This article on exploding computer batteries grabbed David Passell's attention.  The writer claims, "Apple is approaching its tenth year of exploding laptop batteries …"      http://www.zdnet.com/apple-macbook-battery-exploded-7000023425/  The article is dated today, and is followed by 97 comments on this serious issue.  If you find any more information let us know.  We need to be informed. 

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Read About the Genius

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        Jim Hamm informs us, "You may be aware of a new book that is now available: Jony Ive - The Genius Behind Apple's Products by Leander Kahney. I asked the Scottsdale Library System if they would consider purchasing the book. They agreed, and it is on order. You can now place a hold on it if you're interested in reading it.

        "I don't know if libraries in the Valley have inter-library loan agreements if you're not a member of the Scottsdale Library, but you could check if interested in the book. 
         "I know the Prescott Library is a member of an inter-library loan arrangement. Recently I was interested in reading an older book they didn't have. The library placed an order for me and one day it showed up at the library, and the book was from the library in San Antonio, Texas! I was amazed, and didn't realize the Prescott Library even had this type of arrangement."
        Jim closes with, "Anyway, it will be interesting to read about Jony's contributions to Apple's success." 

Look Inside Apple's Spaceship Headquarters

        See 24 all-new renderings of Apple's "spaceship" headquarters.  "Here is an article with drawings of Apple's new headquarters," says Jim Hamm, and then he comments, " It's amazing what $5 billion can buy.  I must admit, that seems like a lot of money for a corporate headquarters."  http://www.wired.com/design/2013/11/a-glimpse-into-apples-crazy-new-spaceship-headquarters/