We still cannot have in-person meetings at the library. So we will use Zoom.

Date: Monday November 25, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/expired

Meeting ID:      expired
Passcode:         expired

Although Zoom works in many browsers we STRONGLY recommend using the dedicated app on your device with the largest screen for the best experience.
You do NOT need a Zoom account to join a meeting!
If you need instructions, go here: https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/UsingZOOM

Agenda:

0 - Group chin-wag during log on                                                                          7:20 - 7:30
                                                                         
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals                                                  7:30 - 7:40

2 - Brave Browser                                           -  with Graham Fawcett                    7:40 -  8:15

3 - Apple Intelligence meets photography    -   group discussion                          8:15 - 9:00
                 

Unfortunately, no after meeting wings or desserts at the Royal Oak, but feel free to prepare your own snacks and share them with us on screen!

Did you miss a meeting?
Sign up for emailed meeting notices! https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/MeetingReminders

Don't forget the Ottawa Public Library!
Even though we are unable to meet in person at the library, the OPL still offers a wealth of services you can access online. Go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en

1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals
LeRoy just purchased a new iPad Mini with the A17 Pro chip.  The AI Clean Up function in Photos is fascinating, like magic.  It will remove distracting objects and matches the features of some paid retouch programs but is now built in.

Ross has a 2nd gen iPad Pro which no longer supports the latest version of iOS.  He is considering whether to purchase another iPad Pro, an iPad Mini or iPad Air.  He also showed us his ColorWare Apple Pencil No. 2 which looks just like an HB pencil for a retro look https://www.colorware.com/p-1466-colorware-apple-number-2-pencil.aspx?c=variant-15y.  Ross also mentioned that he likes the new iPhone mirroring feature in Sequoia.

Laurence purchased an iPhone 16 Pro Max https://www.apple.com/ca/iphone-16-pro/.  He was wowed by the photo text lookup feature while at a gallery in Toronto.  He enjoys the 5x optical zoom and even 25x digital zoom is quite sharp.  The iPhone camera capabilities are now so good that he might sell his Sony camera gear.  AIso, it was less expensive for him to lease the new 16 Pro from Bell than to stay with his former 15 Pro plan.

Ross observed that the image quality of the 15 Pro and Canon R5 are quite close.  The 16 Pro supports a new jpeg format, with a smaller file size for 48 mp images.  Images can also be saved in Raw format.  Portrait mode can now be used with none-facial subjects.

2 - Duck Duck Go Browser update - with Graham Fawcett
At the September meeting Graham had provided an overview alternate web browsers to Safari, including DuckDuckGo the browser app which has a number of privacy features https://duckduckgo.com/app.  He indicated that he would use DuckDuckGo for the next month and share his experience.

Graham reported that it did perform as expected and was effective at intercepting and removing email trackers.  However, he found it difficult to change habits and would fall back to Safari for banking.  You can create any number of distinct email addresses for use with different services, as a security precaution.  Depending on your preferred habits, it may or may not be appropriate.  It does not have the same depth of Search as Google.  He is now using DDD for independent searches or when requiring a unique address for an online forum.  Graham is also looking at the Brave browser https://brave.com/download/

3 - UPDF app - with Ross Slade
Ross has been using various Adobe products since 1983.  These include Photoshop, Acrobat, Illustrator, Lightroom and the bundled subscription pricing has become increasingly expensive.  A number of products in the suite he does not use so Ross has been seeking less costly alternatives.

He is still very pleased with ON1 for his photo editing which has been the topic of several MUGOO presentations.  UPDF https://updf.com is a possible replacement for Adobe Acrobat and is part of the International PDF Consortium.  It's a Chinese product which may be a security concern for some but otherwise has an attractive feature set and pricing.

The product is is available across different OS platforms, with up to 4 devices and an associated cloud service.  UPDF Pro is $40 US/year, $70 (one time) and $79/year with AI assistant and up to 6 devices.  The Artificial Intelligence is powered by GPT-4.

PDF editing tools include extract, sort, split, crop, scan a page, editing watermark, text, image, header/footer, signatures, Excel to pdf, Powerpoint to pdf (PP is less used now than it used to be), export, redact, some functions by batch, Bates numbering for legal work.

Ross gave a PDF demo to illustrate some of the capabilities ... sticky note, highlight, strikethrough, text comment, squiggly, text box (wraps within the box), callout is handy if you are sharing a document with someone else, pencil, erase, copy, shapes, measurement tool, attach a file to a file, stickers, signature.

Prepare a Form was taken out Acrobat and is in UPDF.  You can also organize pages to rearrange the order.  Batch features allow you to apply a watermark or background to a number of pages.  Graphic text can be OCR'd.

What was truly amazing is that UPDF can provide an AI summary of the PDF document and identify candidate questions.  An associated Mind Map capability follows the thought streams within the document.  Even with an Italian PDF, the AI summary is in English.  As another example, Ross was able to make detailed callout notes on an architectural drawing.

Any non-protected pdf can be later edited, unless it has been significantly compressed.  These documents will open in any PDF program because of the open source consortium standards.  This can totally change your interaction with documentation that someone else has sent you.

There are other PDF products out there, but probably not as full featured.  This does everything Ross wants at a good price point.  You can view his presentation deck at https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2024-10-28_UPDF_Presentation.pdf
       
4- Group chat - Apple's latest technology enhancements
Due to the time, this topic was deferred to a subsequent meeting.

5 - In-Person Gathering on November 19th
Our Zoom iMeetings have been good during the pandemic and many of us like that we don't have to drive at night and can include participants outside of Ottawa.  However, we have been missing the in-person social element.  As a remedy, we are scheduling a get-together at the Royal Oak across the parking lot from Centrepoint Library on Tuesday November 19th from 1:00 to 3:00.  This is separate from the iMeetings with no agenda, just an opportunity to hang out.                         

We still cannot have in-person meetings at the library. So we will use Zoom.

Date: Monday Oct 28, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/expired

Meeting ID:   expired
Passcode:      expired

Although Zoom works in many browsers we STRONGLY recommend using the dedicated app on your device with the largest screen for the best experience.
You do NOT need a Zoom account to join a meeting!
If you need instructions, go here: https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/UsingZOOM

Agenda:

0 - Group chin-wag during log on                                                                           7:20 - 7:30
                                                                           
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals                                                  7:30 - 7:40

2 - Duck Duck Go Browser update                               with Graham Fawcett          7:40 -  7:50

3 - UPDF app -                                                              with Ross Slade                   7:50  - 8:30

4- Group chat - Apple's latest technology enhancements                                        8:30 - 9:00                               

Unfortunately, no after meeting wings or desserts at the Royal Oak, but feel free to prepare your own snacks and share them with us on screen!

Did you miss a meeting?
Sign up for emailed meeting notices! https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/MeetingReminders

Don't forget the Ottawa Public Library!
Even though we are unable to meet in person at the library, the OPL still offers a wealth of services you can access online. Go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en

0 - Group chin-wag during log on                           
The early arrivers discussed some of their recent travel experiences.  John spent three weeks in Iceland, focusing on the West Fjords and the Snæfellnes Peninsula.  David went on an Adventure Canada expedition cruise to Atlantic Canada, which included Newfoundland, Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, the Magdalen Islands and St. Pierre.  Peter and Ferris each recently returned from Australia and were still feeling the effects of jet lag.  Graham enjoyed extensive cycling trips this summer in the Ottawa area.  Stephen is currently planning an RV trip to Newfoundland for next Spring.
                                                                         
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals
Peter mentioned that he had recently acquired a 24-inch iMac https://www.apple.com/ca/imac/, which he has found to be "lightning fast" and a significant improvement over his previous 2015 computer.

For the Iceland trip, John and his wife purchased AirPods Pro 2.  He shared his positive experiences using these with QuietVox https://www.quietvox.com and an AirFly transmitter https://www.twelvesouth.com/products/airfly so they could wirelessly follow what their tour guide was saying.  They could also use the AirPods AirFly setup on the plane. 

Laurence and his wife have upgraded their Bell mobile two-year service plans to swap in the new iPhone 16 Pro models, and the monthly charge is less than what they were previously paying.  Graham did a similar move with Bell but instead swapped in iPhone 15 Pro models, with a discount of essentially two phones for the price of one.

2 - DuckDuckGo and Alternative Browsers - with Graham Fawcett
A number of us have been using DuckDuckGo the search engine, on both macOS and iOS,  because it is way better than Google in terms of privacy, including its ability to perform searches without tracking.  Remember if a service is "free" then "you" are the product that is being sold.  Charles mentioned how to set DDD as the default search engine in Safari.

Graham provided an overview of DuckDuckGo the browser app that not only allows private searching but also blocks trackers.  The app was designed for Mac desktops and is similar to the search engine interface.  He compared the features of DuckDuckGo and Safari to outline their differences; DDD is more transparent about what it blocks.  Other browser apps were also mentioned.

Graham then explored the advertising and analytics on the CBC News site, way more than most of us had realized.  DDD has a unique flame feature for clearing data and all agreed on the satisfaction of using the fire feature to clear analytics.  The conversation also touched on Apple's business relationship with Google and the potential for an antitrust suit against Google.

You can view Graham's presentation deck at https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2024-09-23_DuckDuckGo_App.pdf.

Graham indicated he would try using DuckDuckGo browser app for the next month and report back.  He invited others to consider giving this a try as well.

3 - September 9th Apple "Glowtime" Event: What's New With iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods - with David Rhynas
David provided an overview of products introduced at Apple's September 9th "Glowtime" event, including the new lineup of iPhone 16 devices, Apple Watch and AirPods.  You can view David's presentation deck and remarks at https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2024-09-23_Apple_Glowtime.pdf.

During the discussion it came up that iPhone 16 and 16 Pro still have a physical SIM card, unlike what has happened south of the border.  A physical SIM is often more convenient for international travel. 

Lynda shared her experience proving a heart attack to medical professionals using her Apple Watch.  Graham clarified the ECG feature detects arrhythmia, not heart attacks.  Lynda also discussed managing cholesterol levels and medication allergies.

AirPods Pro 2nd Generation were introduced in September 2022; there is now a new firmware release that supports the enhanced features.  David discussed a new capability, a clinical hearing test and an FDA approved over-the-counter hearing aid, offering an affordable alternative to traditional hearing aids.  The group discussed the potential for insurance coverage in Canada, with uncertainty about government approval.  Steve mentioned using the Mimi app to track his hearing https://mimi.io/mimi-hearing-test-app , while John suggested coverage could depend on private insurers.

We still cannot have in-person meetings at the library. So we will use Zoom.

Date: Monday Sept 23, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/expired

Meeting ID:    expired
Passcode:      expired

Although Zoom works in many browsers we STRONGLY recommend using the dedicated app on your device with the largest screen for the best experience.
You do NOT need a Zoom account to join a meeting!
If you need instructions, go here: https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/UsingZOOM

Agenda:

0 - Group chin-wag during log on                                                                            7:20 - 7:30
                                                                           
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals                                                  7:30 - 7:40

2 - DuckDuckGo and Alternative Browsers                   with Graham Fawcett        7:40 -  8:10

3 - September 9th Apple "Glowtime" Event:
     What's New With iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods     with David Rhynas             8:10 - 9:00

Unfortunately, no after meeting wings or desserts at the Royal Oak, but feel free to prepare your own snacks and share them with us on screen!

Did you miss a meeting?
Sign up for emailed meeting notices! https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/MeetingReminders

Don't forget the Ottawa Public Library!
Even though we are unable to meet in person at the library, the OPL still offers a wealth of services you can access online. Go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en

1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals
Ross shared his experience with a new piece of hardware - a camera called Alice - that connects to a smartphone and uses its screen and software interface. The camera has a Micro 4/3 sensor which is 300% larger than that of an iPhone 15 Pro, essentially providing a professional mirrorless camera with a wide choice of lenses. It can store up to 60 frames per second at 1080p and 30 frames per second at 4K. Ross also mentioned the camera's open-source software, allowing for potential upgrades and new features. https://www.alice.camera

There was also some discussion about country-specific restrictions on Apple IDs, with Ross expressing frustration about potential issues for EU compliance. Marc suggested that one could switch between Apple IDs without losing data and shared his own experience of having multiple Apple IDs for different countries.

2 - WWDC 2024 - the hot topic ... Apple Intelligence - with David Rhynas
David provided a comprehensive overview of the big announcement at WWDC24 (Worldwide Developers Conference) two weeks ago. Apple Intelligence is Apple's unique branding for its suite of AI (Artificial Intelligence) features. It's a game changer and will likely impact everything we know and do. You can view David's presentation deck and remarks at https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2024-06-24_Apple_Intelligence.pdf

This was followed by a lively discussion. The group considered the far-reaching impact of AI on daily life and its potential consequences.  David stated that AI is rapidly becoming a part of everyday living, while Ian pointed out its growing use among university students and the possible devaluation of degrees. Marc suggested that AI is highlighting existing problems rather than creating new ones, and Graham expressed concerns about individual control and potential manipulation. Ross highlighted the complexity of AI models and shared personal experiences with the system's challenging situations. Wally discussed Apple's strategy of improving features instead of introducing new ones and shared his worries about becoming a victim of scams.
 
Wally voiced his confidence in Apple's dedication to security and problem-solving, despite occasional hurdles. The group discussed the functionality of various Apple devices, confirming that many features could be used without a camera, and a microphone would only be necessary for specific features like Siri. The group also talked about the upcoming release of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, with features expected to roll out throughout 2024/25. Marc raised concerns about the development of powerful AI and large language models, citing potential dangers, inconsistencies, and energy consumption, with Chris noting the likelihood of continued development of low-end models for on-device processing.
 
Ross and Marc discussed the high energy consumption and environmental impact of location-based models like Google Maps and Apple Maps, emphasizing the need for a sustainable energy source. They also explored the potential for an 'opt out' point in engagement with AI, the need for safeguards and corrections in AI, and the role of government in regulating AI. The team engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about the influence of AI on decision-making, particularly in politics. The conversation ended with a reflection on the value of these sessions and an appreciation for David's skillful facilitation.

Because it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the group decided to wind up a bit early.  Other announcements at WWDC24 will be reviewed at the September meeting, after our summer break.

We still cannot have in-person meetings at the library. So we will use Zoom.

Date: Monday June 24, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/expired

Meeting ID:   expired
Passcode:     expired

Although Zoom works in many browsers we STRONGLY recommend using the dedicated app on your device with the largest screen for the best experience.
You do NOT need a Zoom account to join a meeting!
If you need instructions, go here: https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/UsingZOOM

Agenda:

0 - Group chin-wag during log on                                                                             7:20 - 7:30
                                                                             
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals                                                     7:30 - 7:40
 
2 - WWDC 2024 - the hot topic ... Apple Intelligence       with David Rhynas            7:40 -  8:45

3 - WWDC 2024 - other news                                            group discussion              8:45 -> onward

4 - Presidential Sign Off                                                  with Wally Kuzmicz              25.1  seconds                                                                                         

Unfortunately, no after meeting wings or desserts at the Royal Oak, but feel free to prepare your own snacks and share them with us on screen!

Did you miss a meeting?
Sign up for emailed meeting notices! https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/MeetingReminders

Don't forget the Ottawa Public Library!
Even though we are unable to meet in person at the library, the OPL still offers a wealth of services you can access online. Go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en

1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals
Charles recently purchased a high-end Eizo Colour Calibrated Monitor.  Participants discussed the importance of monitor calibration for accurate colour representation.  Charles explained that calibration tracks the colours and ensures even light distribution across the screen.  Marc further emphasized that the calibration should be consistent throughout the entire workflow, from camera to monitor to printer, to ensure a faithful representation of colours.  Participants also discussed the use of calibration tools like the Spyder from Datacolor  https://www.datacolor.com/spyder/products/

2 - Apple's "Find My" is better than ever - with David Rhynas
David gave an overview of Apple's Find My app, detailing its features and uses, such as locating online and offline devices, tracking friends and family, and finding third-party accessories.  He discussed new related features of the iPhone 14 and later models, including satellite communication and ultra-precise location tracking.  He outlined options for securing a lost Apple device, and highlighted the potential misuse of tracking devices for stalking purposes, mentioning a joint initiative by Apple and Google to combat this issue.  You can view David's presentation deck and comments at https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2024-05-25_Find_My_App.pdf

In the discussion that followed, Graham shared his experience of having his wallet stolen and the limitations in finding a wallet.  An AirTag can be discovered by a thief and discarded.  The company Ekster manufactures a credit card sized tracking device that would be less apparent.  However, RFID-shielded wallets that prevent card scanning also block the Bluetooth signal from trackers.

Wally shared a personal anecdote about how it helped him locate his lost phone.  Participants discussed the battery life impact of the feature, with Marc explaining that it uses very little power.  There are increasing numbers of non-Apple devices that also support the Find My capability https://www.gearpatrol.com/tech/g36063168/apple-find-my-compatible-gadgets/

3 - The impressive new iPads - Roundtable discussion
There was a group discussion on the impressive new iPads https://www.apple.com/ca/ipad-pro/, with Marc and Ross sharing their experiences and limitations they have encountered when using them as laptop replacements.  Marc had tried a six-month experiment in using an iPad for work but found it difficult to accomplish certain tasks due to its limited capabilities.  Ron suggested that the iPad was never intended to be a Mac replacement but is good for media consumption and can also be used as a secondary screen with a Mac or MacBook for a more efficient setup.

Wally asked how many attendees used an iPad daily, with David, Gillian, and Wally confirming they use it frequently, especially when travelling.

Ross, Wally, Marc, and Ian discussed iPadOS, its limitations, and potential improvements, including the possibility of an open-source approach.  They also addressed concerns about the durability of the newest "thin" iPad Air, with Marc explaining its redesigned internal frame is actually more durable than previous models.  The group further discussed Apple's approach to technological advancements, including their focus on thinness, machine learning integration, and artificial intelligence.

The conversation then segued to a more light-hearted discussion about personal technology usage.  Charles expressed his preference for mechanical keyboards over the flat ones found on tablets and phones.  Participants also humorously debated the speed and accuracy of typing on these devices.

We then discussed the evolution of transcription methods, with a focus on the convenience and accessibility of text-to-audio reading for those with physical limitations. The team also reminisced about their experiences with typing and the decline of cursive writing, as well as the use of speech-to-text software.  The conversation wrapped up with our collective use of early Apple devices and the nostalgia surrounding them.















   

We still cannot have in-person meetings at the library. So we will use Zoom.

Date: Monday May 27, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/expired

Meeting ID:     expired
Passcode:       expired

Although Zoom works in many browsers we STRONGLY recommend using the dedicated app on your device with the largest screen for the best experience.
You do NOT need a Zoom account to join a meeting!
If you need instructions, go here: https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/UsingZOOM

Agenda:

0 - Group chin-wag during log on                                                                           7:20 - 7:30
                                                                             
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals                                                   7:30 - 7:45

2 - Apple's "Find My" is better than ever                    with David Rhynas                 7:45 -  8:30

3 - The impressive new iPads                               Roundtable discussion                  8:30 - 9:00

4 - Presidential Sign Off                                            with Wally Kuzmicz                  25.1  seconds                                                                                         

Unfortunately, no after meeting wings or desserts at the Royal Oak, but feel free to prepare your own snacks and share them with us on screen!

Did you miss a meeting?
Sign up for emailed meeting notices! https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/MeetingReminders

Don't forget the Ottawa Public Library!
Even though we are unable to meet in person at the library, the OPL still offers a wealth of services you can access online. Go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en

1 - News and Views
Mark has been running a model for 48 hours on his Mac Mini M2 Pro.  The job is now almost complete, temperature stable at below 90 degrees, and apart from several Finder crashes, has been going well.  Hydro rates were kept at the low tier during Covid;  the rates are now three times as much during the day, something he now has to be aware of.  Marc also mentioned that there is rumour that Apple may be introducing a Mac Mini M4 Pro this fall, skipping the M3 generation ... stay tuned. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/04/report-mac-mini-could-skip-the-apple-m3-jump-right-to-the-m4-in-2024-or-2025/

Lynda D is considering an iPad Air with the laminated screen, which has better readability for musical scores.  Rumour is that there will be 12.5 inch iPad Air in the Fall, with mini-LED Technology.  The iPad Pros may be going OLED.

Graham is still very pleased with his Fujifilm X-T5 mirrorless camera, more powerful and flexible than it's predecessors with the ability to focus on the eye of a distant bird.  He is also impressed that the Mac Photos app offers searching for attributes in pictures, whether they are objects, things, people, animals, birds, descriptions of locations, places or places.  It can now find a bird and identify it!

Ross mentioned that Affinity Photo https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/ has a good alternative to Adobe Photoshop, with a reasonable one-time purchase cost and no annual subscription fee.

He also recommends Downie 4 https://software.charliemonroe.net/downie/ , a YouTube or other source video downloader, which offers more flexibility than Wondershare.  His other new program, Lossless Cut https://medevel.com/losslesscut/#google_vignette, does not re-encode video when you edit such files and is exceedingly fast in comparison to tools that transcode or re-render.

2 - Apple's Recent Legal Woes - with Wally Kuzmicz
Wally stepped through his presentation deck on Apple's recent legal and tax woes (prepared with just one hand since he is recovering from rotator cuff surgery!) You can view his presentation deck in the attachment below.  For further reference, the links within the presentation are active.

To set the context, he started off with a brief rant of "things that bug me": elimination of the headphone jack, MacBook ports reduced to USB-C only, lightening charge cords often don't work, can't buy Apple OEM parts to do a repair myself, bait and switch with iPhone 6 and 7 that reduced performance, green bubble issue with Android users (and associated functional limitations), Apple now uses proprietary 5-star screws on MacBooks.  Even though there are many benefits to the Apple Ecosystem, Wally feels that he is being controlled more than he wants. 

Apple is accused of using Ireland as a tax haven that artificially reduced its tax burden.  Apple appealed and won the appeal, but the case is being appealed again by the EU.  $14B has been but aside in escrow.

Battery life was an issue with iPhones 6 and 7; surreptitiously resolved by throttling the speed.  People instead upgraded to a newer iPhone.  Without admitting any guilt, users of these older devices can get a $150 cheque if they still have the serial number.  "People are tied to the Apple ecosystem ... like a bad marriage.  Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."

The sleeping giant is the recent U.S. Department of Justice anti-trust case which is similar in many respects to the Microsoft anti-trust case in the late 1990s, where it turned out that Apple was a significant beneficiary.  The DOJ claims that Apple blocks super apps and that their anti-competitive behaviour discourages developers.  They are going after exclusionary content and also balking at the 30% commission.  The case may take years to resolve.

Ross pointed out that Google (Alphabet) could be sued for the same issues.  Because of legislation in the EU he can now download apps in Italy directly to his iPhone, even though he does not.  The other stores in Europe are charging the same 30% or more commission.  The DOJ complaints are not valid anywhere other than the United States.  He believes they are not being honest with the public.

The Android texting green bubble is only an issue in North America.  Marc believes that Google initiated this case because of Apple's security/privacy stance.  Messaging in Europe is 20 years ahead of North America.  WeChat has 50% of the market worldwide.  People in North America are generally lazy, why change what generally works.

A super app is a combo of mini apps e.g. Door Dash.  Twitter may become a super app.  We Chat is a super app.  Uber is a super app.  Such micro apps are outside of the Apple ecosystem.  If the App Store commission structure is altered, there may be unintended consequencses ... Apple will get their money one way or another.

3 - AirTag Blue in the Tooth - with Lynda Matsumoto
Lynda provided an overview of Apple's popular AirTag technology and associated Find My app.  To locate lost items, AirTags use Apple's crowdsourced Find My network, estimated in early 2021 to consist of approximately one billion devices worldwide that detect and anonymously report emitted Bluetooth signals.  You can view her presentation deck and associated remarks in the attachments below.

There was some interesting post discussion.  In Apple Maps you can designate your home location where air tag alerts will not be initiated.

Nomad sells a credit card tracker that will fit in your wallet.

Hiding two AirTags in your vehicle is a good idea since thieves may stop looking after finding one.

Find My will notify you of an anonymous AirTag if one is detected for 30 minutes, to prevent stalking.