In this issue:
- November meeting
- Brew & Byte Episode 3
- iPhone 12
- Apple Event on Tuesday
- Beats Flex
- History of Mac OS
- Offers for members
November Meeting
Join us on Monday, November 9 at 7pm in Zoom for our monthly meeting. This month our topic will be HomeKit and wireless audio. We will look at the latest technologies from Apple to control your house and music wirelessly
We will start the meeting with our regular Newsbyte, looking at what happened last month and what might be coming next. The Zoom meeting invite will be in the email that delivered this this Soundbyte!
BREW AND BYTE – EPISODE 3
Episode three of our new Podcast is now available. We’re delighted to have gained an international audience and this week our hosts discuss the new released hardware from the recent Apple ‘High Speed’ event.
Please subscribe and join us fortnightly when we discuss all things Apple: software, hardware and technology. Submit your questions to us on Twitter @londonmacgroup or send us an email at Podcast@lmug.org.uk
You can find Brew and Byte (created by LMUG) on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts.
IPhone 12
The iPhone 12, announced at last month’s specials event, is now on sale or pre-order. There are three models: 12, mini and Pro. Prices start at £699 for the mini and £999 for the Pro. They all have the same new industrial design, a back-to-the-future echo of the iconic iPhone 4, but with thinner bezels around the screen. It has advanced technologies like 5G mobile data and a new type of glass for the screen that is significantly tougher. If you want to dive deeper check, out this ‘tear-down’.
As expected for a new iPhone, Apple has upgraded the cameras, improving low-light capability. There are differences between the cameras depending on which iPhone you buy, with the top-end Pro Max model including a zoom lens and in-body stabilisation of the image sensor to improve the quality of handheld photo and video for professionals
Apple innovation was on show when they unveiled a re-invented MagSafe. You might still have an older MacBook with a MagSafe cord. Now, MagSafe is cordless and for iPhone 12. (Dont mention AirPower! – ED)
The new MagSafe (£39) tackles the biggest issue with wireless chargers. If you don’t put your phone on the charger just-so, the charging coils will misalign and your phone will not charge. A flat iPhone is not what you need first thing in the morning. MagSafe solves this by aligning the phone and charger using magnets. As with the best Apple solutions, this is obvious and you wonder why no one did this before and more may come in future!
Apple Event on Tuesday
Speaking of the future. Apple promised in June that they would release their first computers based on Apple Silicon, rather than Intel chips this year. On-time, Apple has announced a special event this Tuesday at 6pm UK time where we expect Apple to unveil the first one. It is widely expected that this will be a laptop. Other than that, we’re all guessing!
If you look at the Apple invite on an iPhone or iPad, there is an augmented reality easter egg you can access. Click on the Apple invite above and then tap on the Apple logo inside the colour burst. This works best if you are near a table that you can walk around.
Beats Flex
Just in time for Christmas, there is a new affordable option for a headset with the freedom of wireless audio and the simplicity of Apple technology. Apple sub-brand Beats have announced the Beats Flex, costing only £49.99. It comes in four colours: Beats Black, Citrus Yellow, Flame Blue and Smoke Grey. Just like AirPods, it has the Apple W1 chip, which means it syncs automagically when near the iPhone, has a long range if you leave your phone inside when walking around your garden and lasts for 12 hours.
History of Mac OS
How long have you be using a Mac? Do you know what came before macOS Big Sur? There are many echoes of the past in modern Apple products. If it worked before, why change it? Some ideas can fall out of favour and then be re-invented, like MacSafe. Do you need to know about this heritage? No. Instead you could just enjoy the below video, if you wish, as a retrospective.
Offers for members
Find below this month‘s special offers. As usual these discounts are only available with paid memberships and can be accessed via the website in the members area.
- Eve Products: 25% Discount
- TechTool Pro 11: 50% Discount
- AgileBits 1Password 7: 25% Discount
- MacCleanse 8 Software: 20% Discount
- 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!