Soundbyte 303 – May 2020

ChristopherNews, SoundByte

Welcome to Soundbyte 303. In this issue:

  • May Meeting
  • New MacBook Pro 13-inch
  • The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
  • New iPhone SE
  • New Cyber Threats
  • Protecting your Apple Watch
  • Members-Only Special Offers

May Meeting – AGM

Join us this Monday at 7pm, May 11 on Zoom for our members-only AGM.

Find the invite in the email you received this Soundbyte in.

Agenda

  1. Apologies for absence
  2. Minutes of 2019 AGM (tabled)
  3. Chairman’s Report
  4. Treasurer’s Report
  5. Election of Committee Members.
    • Secretary: Tina Jacobs
    • Chair: Christopher Mahon
    • Treasurer: Pietro Falcone
    • Membership: Pietro Falcone
    • Webmaster: Craig Jobbins
    • Technical: Alastair Whitehouse
    • Committee Member: Martin Kelly
    • Newsletter: Vacant

New MacBook Pro 13-inch

New MacBook Pro 13-inch

Apple announced a number of new products in the past month and one of the most anticipated was a new MacBook Pro 13-inch. This updated model completes Apple’s transition from reportedly unreliable Butterfly keyboards to a much improved Scissor keyboard. This is a change you feel rather than see.

Prices start at £1300, but if you want the newest 10th generation Intel processors you will need to spend at least £1800. Think carefully about what you need the extra power for, before you buy. For the extra money, you also get 16GB memory rather than 8GB, more powerful graphics and four Thunderbolt 3 ports rather than two.

This isn’t the only 13-inch laptop Apple makes, however, and the MacBook Air is a sleeker design. Watch the video below for a review of the differences:

These aren’t however, the only 13-inch computers that Apple make however, and the iPad Pro is a sleeker design. Watch the video below for a review of the differences!

The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro

Speaking of the iPad. Apple’s new Magic Keyboard (case) for the iPad Pro is now on sale (£299 for the 11-inch model and £349 for the 13-inch model). It looks great but is it form over function? Have a look at this review:

If you buy one, make you know the tips and tricks. At the same time, Logitech has also introduced a new keyboard case, which also has a trackpad built in, for the 2017 iPad Pro 10.5-inch, the iPad Air 3rd Generation and the iPad 7th generation. All are priced at £120.

New iPhone SE. –

IPhone SE (2020)

Apple has released a replacement for the iPhone SE. The new iPhone has the body of the iPhone 8 with the power of the iPhone 11. And it costs only £420! This isn’t the first time Apple has made such a combination. The fast processor means better photos and more years of software updates compared to cheaper Android phones.

Which iPhone to buy now then? At just over £400 it is going to be a great phone for anyone not interested in having the latest fashion but wants a good familiar iPhone. If you think that might be you, see this review from the Verge. Watch this video to see the differences between the current better value iPhones:

New Cyber threats

If you’re not upgrading your iPhone, make sure you keep it up-to-date. A new flaw has been found in the email app. Apple will be fixing it in a software update.

In the same vein, please be aware of an increased threat of cyber fraud related to the coronavirus. Be very sceptical of any email, messages or texts that you didn’t ask for. Fraudsters are asking people to click a link to get WHO (health) advice, buy hand sanitiser, claim back tax or something else related to the coronavirus. Their aim is to get you to send them your money for nothing. Learn what’s going on here.

Protecting your Apple Watch

I don’t own an Apple Watch. I can’t justify the expense at the moment. But I know when I do eventually get one, I will want to protect my investment. But how can you protect the Apple Watch? It seems the answer is, with some difficulty. Watch this review to see some of the best options. If you have any favourite protectors, please let us know so I can share them here.

Members-Only Special Offers

Here are the current special offers for LMUG members:

  • Silver Matias Keyboard Special: 50% Discount
  • Koingo Software: 20/50% Discount
  • Dan’s Tutorials: 50% Discount and 30 Day Free Membership
  • Eve Products: 25% Discount
  • TechTool Pro 11: 50% Discount
  • AgileBits 1Password 7: 25% Discount
  • MacCleanse 8 Software: 20% Discount
  • Eltima Software: Up to 60% Off OS X Apps
  • EverWeb by RAGE Software: 50% Discount 
  • Opus ][ Complete Collection: 25% Discount
  • Que Publishing Products: 35-45% Discount
  • Take Control Books: 30% Discount on All eBooks
  • Teams ID, a Password Manager for Teams: 33% Discount
  • TidBITS Content Network for Apple professionals: Get a free month of tips and articles!