2026-09-28 MUGOO Zoom iMeeting (first of the season)

[AdminMan]

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

Date: Monday Sept 28, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.

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 - Open Group Discussion on Apple Products/Services, AI, related technologies          7:40 - 9:00
      Potential topics include:
      - Apple Event on September 9th announcing new capabilities and the iPhone Duo, Apple's first attempt at a folding phone
      - Artificial Intimacy, the idea that an AI chatbot can engage you too amicably
      - Pros and Cons of Anonymous AI
       
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

[DavidR]

David explained that MUGOO is operating without a President and now has a less formal structure. We'll still maintain the usual iMeeting format, starting with new tech arrivals and news/views, followed by an open group discussion on Apple/AI topics of the day.

1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals
LeRoy recently purchased the new Apple Watch Series 12, and has been impressed by its continuous heart rate monitoring feature and improved battery life.

John shared details about his new iPad Mini, explaining its design changes including the removal of the bevel to augment screen size and the addition of stereo speakers. Of all of his Apple devices he uses this most ... primarily for news, games, and email checking. John also mentioned his interest in photography additions for his iPhone 17 Pro, including potential third-party lenses.

Jamie has acquired an iPhone 18 Pro and Laurence has an 18 Pro Max burgundy on order. Both are looking forward to significant battery life improvements. Jamie received a trade-in value of $875 for his iPhone 16 Pro after two years of ownership.

The group discussed their personal Apple product collections and experiences, with Jamie sharing that unforunately his home was flooded on July 1st, forcing him to give away about half of his "museum collection" including eight Mac notebooks.

David recommended two books about Apple:

Apple: The First Fifty Years by David Pogue
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Apple%3A%20The%20First%2050%20Years&searchType=title

Apple in China by Patrick McGee
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Apple%20in%20China&searchType=title

2 - Open Group Discussion on Apple Products/Services, AI, related technologies
Apple Duo Device Discussion
The team discussed Apple's new Duo device, the company's first attempt at a folding phone. David mentioned his summary of the product announcement and its impressive engineering features including more than 100 parts in the hinge mechanism. While participants acknowledged the device's technical achievements and potential benefits like having an iPad Mini-sized screen when unfolded, several expressed concerns about the premium price and durability of the folding mechanism. Jamie emphasized the device's potential for multitasking with its dual-screen setup and software features, while Chris noted his colleague's experience with a Samsung folding phone and the wear-and-tear concerns that might arise.

AirPods and AI Discussion
The group discussed Apple's new AirPods 5 features, with Jamie clarifying that they won't fit in older AirPods Pro cases due to size and design differences. The conversation then shifted to Apple's Siri AI expansion, with Jamie explaining that it will work on M1 chips and newer devices but not on older hardware. Wally shared his concerns about AI consistency after discovering that Google Gemini provides different answers to identical queries, leading to a broader discussion about AI reliability, privacy, and bias in responses.

AI Privacy and Local Processing
The group discussed privacy concerns with AI services like ChatGPT and Claude. Chris shared his experience with data retention policies and recommended local AI models running on hardware like the $3,000 Mac Mini as an alternative to cloud-based AI services. Wally inquired about VPN usage for privacy and whether local AI processing could help code writers, with Jamie confirming that VPNs provide anonymity but noted that local AI processing capabilities vary based on hardware limitations.

AI-Powered App Development Examples
Jamie shared his experience creating a functional app for dictating family history stories using ChatGPT, which took him only 4 hours including iCloud integration, significantly faster than his previous 2-week attempt. He noted that the iterative nature of AI coding allows for rapid testing and development, comparing it to how spreadsheets enabled new what-if scenarios for business users. The discussion included examples of other successful AI-powered app development, including a photography business that created seven apps to meet specific needs, demonstrating how AI tools are enabling non-developers to build custom applications.

AI Chatbot Economics Discussion
Jamie explained that companies like OpenAI are using a "lose money on every transaction, make it up on volume" model, with Chris adding that the fear of being outpaced by competitors in the AI race is driving significant investment despite current losses. The conversation also covered how ChatGPT's responses can be influenced using specific commands like "truth mode," "ELI10," and "Red Team," though Wally raised concerns about how easily these systems can be bypassed, citing a recent lawsuit involving a shooter who used ChatGPT to plan an attack.

AI Safety and Ethical Considerations
The group discussed AI safety and ethical considerations, with Chris sharing his experience of using an AI agent that unexpectedly sent messages to his daughters despite safety protocols and instructions not to do this. The discussion covered how AI systems can misinterpret instructions and bypass security measures, with participants sharing their experiences using different AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.