Apple and Earth Day 2018: 100 Percent Renewable Energy

by | Apr 15, 2018 | News & Events

You may think that you are aware of the many innovative products that came from Apple research, but did you know that Apple invented a line of disassembly robots (Liam)? While existing recycling techniques only recover a few kinds of materials and often diminish their quality, these robots can recover 1900 kg of aluminum, 1.3 kg Gold, 7 kg silver, 24 kg rare earth elements, 3.5 kg tungsten, 800 kg copper, 0.4 kg platinum group metals, 55 kg tin, 550 kg cobalt, and 2.5 kg tantalum from every 100,000 iPhone 6 devices that are turned in for recycling. (more…)

User Group Stories: AUSOM

by | Mar 13, 2018 | News & Events, User Group Stories

This is a new series presented by the Apple User Group Advisory Board to spotlight and share the experiences of Apple User Groups around the world. We will take a look at how groups are managing, meeting, growing, networking, and adjusting to the needs of members in the 21st century.

By Rick Ortiz, Chair of the Apple User Group Advisory Board

Visit: ausom.net.au

This month we share the story of Apple Users Society of Melbourne, better know as AUSOM. We traveled (virtually) around the world to find out the story of how AUSOM has been so successful. We had the opportunity to participate in a FaceTime meeting with the group’s members and leaders at their monthly meeting. What is amazing, is this group is in its 40th year, and the group appears to be going strong. In a day and age where social media, texting, and technology has become the mainstream communication method, this group has proven that in-person social interaction, networking and sharing creates true and long lasting friendship. And to that end, the sustainability of AUSOM. As one of their members stated, “It’s not about the computers, but what we do with them.” Let’s take a look at what makes this group so successful.

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LACPUG: Apple FCPX and Motion Presentation

by | Mar 12, 2018 | News & Events

For January’s Los Angeles Creative Pro Users Group (LACPUG) a standing room only crowd of Hollywood editors and filmmakers enjoyed a special presentation on Final Cut Pro.

Apple marketing, with help from Patrick Southern and Sam Mestman from LumaForge, gave attendees a look at 10.4’s latest features. Wow! Thanks to Michael Horton, LAFCPUG founder and leader, and co-producer of Creative Pro SuperMeets for this link!

http://www.fcp.co/final-cut-pro/articles/2048-watch-the-apple-final-cut-pro-10-4-presentation-from-lacpug

Check out LAFCPUG

http://www.fcp.co/

Enjoy videos from LumaForge:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSufttVkYSIBC5UVfxnLScQ

HAAUG’s 25th Anniversary: Woz Presentation

by | Mar 12, 2018 | News & Events

The Houston Area Apple Users Group regularly attracts top speakers, and their 25th Anniversary was no exception. Steve Wozniak, their Keynote speaker, shared memories about his experiences and offered thoughts about Apple today. Rex Covington of the Apple User Group Advisory Board generously posted the Keynote recently so that we could share. (Thanks Rex!)

Enjoy!

KansasFest 2018: 30 Years and Going Strong

by | Mar 5, 2018 | News & Events

KansasFest 2018, the premier annual Apple II convention, is scheduled for July 17 – 22 in Kansas City, Missouri. This year marks the 30th time that this event, an annual convention offering Apple II users and retrocomputing enthusiasts the opportunity to engage in beginner and technical sessions, programming contests, an exhibition hall, and camaraderie, has been held.

KansasFest was originally hosted by Resource Central and has been brought to you by the KFest committee since 1995. Any and all Apple II users, fans, and friends are invited to attend this year’s event. In upcoming weeks, the KansasFest web site will announce registration details, so keep an eye on the site listed below. (more…)

CES 2018: Meeting the Stars

by | Jan 22, 2018 | News & Events

CES 2018: Meeting the Stars

by Tom Piper

 

This year’s January 9-12, 2018, visit to Las Vegas for the 51st edition of the Consumer Electronic Show was once again a dazzling mix of amazing products and puzzling potentials. Like Wonder Woman with her motorcycle, I met many “star” electronics from name brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, Kodak, Panasonic and others, while being introduced to a wide array of new ideas and concepts being featured by broad spectrum of unknowns from many diverse countries. (more…)

Randy B. Singer of MacAttorney: Macintosh Word Processors

by | Jan 22, 2018 | News & Events

Randy Singer, leader of the 9.000+ member strong MacAttorney User Group, co-author of multiple editions of the well-loved Macintosh Bible, author of the ABA’s The Macintosh Software Guide for the Law Office, writer of the MacAttorney Newsletter, and popular presenter, recently commented about word processors for Mac users:

“I’ve found that lots of Macintosh users wish that they had more choices for a word processor.  The thing is…they do.  They just don’t know where to find out about all the available products.”

So, he has created a page covering currently-available offerings and it is both comprehensive and helpful.

Check it out – maybe even contribute to the conversation:

http://www.macattorney.com/wp.html

Visit MacAttorney.

http://www.macattorney.com/

Meeting Idea: HomePod on Apple Support’s YouTube Channel and ASW

by | Jan 20, 2018 | News & Events

Looking for a short presentation on HomePod for your group’s meeting? Apple Support’s YouTube channel and ASW have all the information you need to make a great group presentation.

Apple Support’s YouTube channel offers a series of three videos on HomePod, including how to adjust HomePod settings, how to use Siri to play music on HomePod and How to use touch controls on HomePod.Each video is under 2 minutes, easy to follow and interesting.

ASW offers HomePod – Product Presentation (L574599A-en_US ), HomePod – First Look (L574596A-en_US), HomePod Top Features Demo Guide (L574990A-en_US) and more.

Ambassadors: February is a great month to use Apple resources for your meetings.

Apple YouTube Support Channel’s HomePod Collection

https://asw.apple.com

Meeting Idea and How To: Apple Pay and Apple Pay Cash

by | Jan 15, 2018 | News & Events

Apple Pay and Apple Pay Cash can provide a quick and interesting topic for your next meeting. Apple Pay is easy to use since you can pay for store purchases with the iPhone or Apple Watch you always have with you without needing to open an app, pay within apps or on the web in Safari with iPhone and iPad with no need to enter billing, shipping, or contact information and pay on the web using Safari with Mac. And, you can send and receive money with friends and family right in Messages. Apple Pay is simpler and safer than using your physical card. Instead of using your actual card number, Apple Pay assigns a unique number for each purchase, so your card information is never shared by Apple with merchants.

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Remember to Password Protect Discount Offer Codes

by | Jan 15, 2018 | News & Events

Please be respectful of the vendors who offer user group discounts by password protecting any user group offers that come from the Apple User Group Bulletin or the Apple User Group Resources blog. When a offer becomes public, we often hear from the vendor, either to discontinue the offer or to change their discount code and information. In January we heard from a vendor who forwarded screen shots of their discount on a specific group’s website. The discount code has been changed and the offers page has a new password as well. See the bottom of each month’s Apple User Group Bulletin or check with your group’s ambassador for password information.