2023-10-23 MUGOO Zoom iMeeting

[AdminMan]

We may not be able to have in-person meetings at the library. If so, we will use Zoom.

Date: Monday October 23, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89547846998?pwd=czJKYTlTSXdDOFlhVHBudURSemx6Zz09

Meeting ID:    895 4784 6998
Passcode:     192298

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 to chat about                       7:30 - 7:40

2 - Fjorden grip for iPhone                - with Laurence Head                                 7:40 - 8:15

3 - iOS 17 and iPadOS 17                  - with David Rhynas                                    8:15 - 9:00       
           
4 - Presidential Sign Off                    - with Wally Kuzmicz                                   25 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

[DavidR]

1 - News and Views
David got an iPhone 15 Pro this week, primarily for the enhanced camera capabilities.  It's all set up as his primary phone but he has not yet had a chance to try out the new features.  He prefers the smaller format over the Pro Max version because it fits in his pocket.

Wally recently restored his iPhone 14 Pro Max to factory settings, which resolved a problem with cell phone reception at home.  He has been gradually restoring his apps one by one.  He wondered if anyone has come across a "CleanMyMac" sort of app for the iPhone.  Several participants agreed that the manual one by one restoration was probably the best approach.

Keith mentioned that he has been quite happy with his iPhone 14 Pro Max.  Against his better judgment, he used the digital zoom for a distant subject.  While producing a usable image, it was noisier than you would want.  David observed that digital zoom is essentially cropping the image so that it becomes more pixelated.  Laurence recommended using a tripod or something steady to lean on to improve the image quality.  Graham also suggested switching to RAW format.  But there will always be limitations with digital zoom.

2 - Fjorden grip for iPhone - with Laurence Head
Both Ross and Laurence have received their Fjorden Grips.  This product and associated app was launched as a Kickstarter project in Norway and gives you a better hold on your iPhone, as well as physical controls for shutter, zoom, and exposure, making it feel more like a DSLR camera.  It works with Moment lenses, which so far are among the best for iPhones. https://shop.fjorden.co/en-ca

Ross had prepared a presentation deck for this evening, but because of logistic challenges with his annual move from Italy to Australia, was unable to join us.  Instead, Laurence gave the presentation and shared his own experience in using the product.

Fjorden offers a variety of cases, depending on your model of iPhone, and the grip attachment is then locked in place.  There are also fairly inexpensive lens mounts which will accommodate Moment lenses: wide angle, fish eye, telephoto (perhaps less necessary with the iPhone 15 Pro Max).  The software has been updated to also support video and zoom with the dial.  The app continues to improve.

Laurence uses his Fjorden case for everyday use and really likes the form factor of the grip.  He had been concerned that the app was not taking advantage of some of the Apple capabilities such as image stabilization, but this seems to be getting better.  You can view the presentation deck at  https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2023-10-23_Fjorden.pdf

The presentation includes other photographic products that attach to an iPhone such as an earlier SLR lens from Sony and an alternate grip from Pictarworld.

Charles has a compact camera from Canon, with decent wide angle and telephoto lenses.  He will stay with what he has.  In his opinion, the iPhone is not quite there.

3 - iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 - with David Rhynas
David gave a high level overview of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, which were released last month.  There are a number of compelling features and there is consensus that you should upgrade to this latest release, if indeed your device is still capable.  You can view David's presentation deck and associated remarks at https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2023-10-23_iOS_17.pdf

Apple has also published a comprehensive list of the new features, which is included at https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2023-10-23_iOS_All_New_Features.pdf