Find my Apple

Yes, indeed, Apple has lost its way. Time for Apple to look to its beginnings when it was so beloved because of its software—not for how big, small, light, thin, beautiful, colorful its hardware was. Time for Apple to forget about integrating its software for its multiple devices at the cost of its software's excellence. Apple should now be looking to improve its software that will rival those of companies like Adobe and Microsoft. At one time, Apple's Pages, Numbers, and Keynote programs appeared to be headed that way but lurched backward when it dumbed them down for the sake of integration.  An iMac is not an iPhone, a MacBook Pro is not an iPad, etc., etc. Individuate; don't integrate. And what about Safari? Time for a more sophisticated, bug-free, crash-proof browser.

Oh, Apple, how you have strayed!

ApplePower Meeting – April 23, 2016

The next ApplePower meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 23, 2016, at our usual meeting place, Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 Elm St., Allentown, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Here's the proposed agenda. (Times are approximate.)

10 a.m. - Sign in and socialize, plus a Q and A session. (Here's your chance to mingle with other Apple enthusiasts and to ask and/or answer questions.)

10:15 a.m. - Announcements and commentary.

10:30 a.m. - "Kindle Reader–iBooks Shootout"  between sharpshooter Dr. David Webb, forensics anthropologist and gunslinger Shirley Hershey, ApplePower Prez. David will show off the marvels of his Kindle Fire (a $49 tablet) and try to convince all spectators that the Kindle e-reader is better than Apple's iBooks. Shirley, a diehard Apple fanatic, will try to prove that David is wrong, wrong, WRONG. All present will referee the battle.

Noon: Raffle. (Free raffle tickets to all in attendance. Your chances of winning are insanely better than your chances of winning the lottery. Bring a friend and receive an extra raffle ticket.)

Meetings are free and open to all interested persons. Reservations are not required. Come visit. 

Meeting Cancellation

I'm sure it's no surprise to any of you that the ApplePower meeting for this coming Saturday, January 23, is cancelled because of the big snow… lots and lots of snow.

At this time, we are planning to re-schedule our monthly meeting for Saturday, January 30, starting at 10 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Active Center, Room 104, 1633 Elm Street, Allentown, PA, depending, of course, on weather and driving conditions.

Here's hoping that we won't be snowed in for too long and that we don't suffer any power outages. Note that, if you need a flashlight, just tap on Flashlight in your iPhone's Control Center. (To get to the Control Center, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone.) 

Try to keep your Apple devices fully charged so that you can keep in touch with the outside world or otherwise keep occupied. Last time there was a prolonged power outage in my home, I managed to keep my iPhone, iMac, and MacBook Pro charged by getting into my car with them and running my car's engine while charging my devices from the car charger. A side benefit was that, while I was waiting for them to charge, I turned on the radio and listened to local and national news or music on my favorite radio stations.

If you're a PPL customer, in case of a power-related emergency, including downed power lines, immediately call 1-800-DIAL-PPL (1-800-342-5775). Press 1 for “Power Problem" when prompted. Also, you can get lots of info about power outages in the Lehigh Valley by logging in to PPL's Outage Center at Outage Center. Here is where you can view an online map of power outages in your area and sign up to receive status alerts or report a power outage in your home or neighborhood via phone, email, or text. 

We look forward to seeing you on January 30. Meanwhile, stay safe and keep warm.