2026-10-26 MUGOO Zoom iMeeting

[DavidR]

We are continuing with Zoom iMeetings.

Date: Monday October 26, 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:
      - Ontario to allow over-the-counter hearing aids (AirPods Pro ) for sale in the province
      - HomePod mini 2, compact smart speaker with 360-degree audio
      - Home Hub that enables remote access and automation for your smart home accessories
      - 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!

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[DavidR]

1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals
The group discussed recent Apple product purchases and experiences. Peter purchased a Mac Mini for his wife who is migrating from a PC, and shared positive feedback about his purchase experience ... particularly praising Apple's packaging and setup process. Wally agreed with this assessment and said "I always feel good coming out of an Apple Store."

Neil described trading in his M1 MacBook Air and A8 iPad for an A16 iPad. He noted that the in-store trade-in process uses AI to evaluate photos of device condition and can provide higher dollar value quotes than online estimates. He also mentioned that at the store, you can trade-in multiple items ... credit for first and then gift cards for the balance. There were some difficulties in transferring data from the old iPad to the new one, but these were resolved at the Apple Genius Bar.

Neil then ran into problems with Apple Mail, where deleted emails were still visible on all of his devices. It turns out the "Marked for Deletion" on the server is separate from the email being later "Expunged." CanSpace technical support were competent in identifying a buried Apple Mail setting ... "Expunge Immediately."

The group discussed buying options for Marta's friend who needs a device for FaceTiming with her brother in long-term care, with suggestions to look for used or refurbished iPads through Apple's refurbished section rather than buying new.
   
2 - Open Group Discussion on Apple Products/Services, AI, related technologies
Hearing Aid Options
Ontario recently announced that the province would soon allow sale of over-the-counter hearing aids (such as AirPods Pro). https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1008165/ontario-enabling-access-to-over-the-counter-hearing-aids Note that Ontario's Assistive Devices Program still only covers prescription hearing aids.

Marta and David discussed the limitations of over-the-counter hearing aids, agreeing that they are only suitable for very minimal hearing loss and may damage hearing if used incorrectly. Marta shared her experience with Widex hearing aids, noting their Apple compatibility and the importance of professional adjustments. Wally and others highlighted potential risks of self-diagnosis and self-treatment. The group also compared hearing aids to over-the-counter glasses, emphasizing the benefits of custom-fitted devices and the role of brain function in hearing. "It's not your hearing, it's your slower processing."

Recent Apple Product Announcements
Apple HomeView is a new smart home display hub with a 7-inch touchscreen and speakers, designed for controlling smart home devices and providing personalized experiences for up to six users, under the genral concept of Apple HomeHub, a central device that manages smart home accessories https://www.apple.com/ca/apple-homeview/

HomePod mini 2 is Apple's compact smart speaker with 360 degree room-filling audio, touch controls, and a built-in smart home hub. It also supports multiroom audio, stereo pairing (with another mini 2), and surround sound using Apple TV 4K https://www.apple.com/ca/homepod-mini/

LeRoy is familiar with older HomePod devices, noting mixed results with functionality and sound quality, though he finds them useful for tasks such as setting kitchen timers. He expressed uncertainty about the new products' utility, suggesting they may still be evolving.

Apple Watch
LeRoy shared his experience with the new Apple Watch 12, highlighting improvements in battery life, display, accuracy of the walking pedometer, heart monitoring, and charging efficiency. He noted the watch's enhanced features, including task summaries, GPS tracking for workouts, and sleep monitoring capabilities.

Global Supply Chain Risk
David then discussed a book he read called Apple in China by Patrick McGee which raised concerns about Apple's dependence on China for manufacturing and Taiwan for producing Apple Silicon, emphasizing the potential existential risk to the company if political unrest or war were to affect those regions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_in_China

There are supply chain risks beyond Apple, with Neil sharing a story about a software/hardware flaw in Volvo electric cars manufactured in China that affects charging when exceeding 70% capacity. Wally noted that China is expanding beyond manufacturing into aviation and space industries. The conversation concluded with speculation about China's demographic challenges from the one-child policy.

Folding iPhone Discussion Meeting
The group then moved to the new folding iPhone Duo, with Wally explaining that reported screen issues were due to manufacturing problems in the hinge mechanism rather than design flaws. The participants debated whether the folding phone would be useful, with Neil expressing skepticism about the need for such a device, while Lynda M noted it would be more expensive than buying separate iPad Mini and iPhone Pro devices. The conversation also touched on the new iPad Mini with OLED.

Customer Service
Neil shared frustrations with New York Times subscription management across multiple devices, describing his experience with their chatbot system and the challenges of reaching a human agent. The conversation also touched on Bell's discontinuation of copper service and the difficulties in getting meaningful help from customer service robots.

AI Search and Chatbots
The group covered various aspects of using AI search engines and chatbots, with Neil sharing his experience using DuckDuckGo's AI feature. He outlined its anonymous search capabilities, token limits, and strategies for managing token usage by starting new chats rather than extending long conversations. The discussion also covered privacy concerns raised by Wally about AI chatbots developing user profiles, with Neil explaining that Duck AI passes prompts to backend services anonymously without building user profiles. Next month we're planning to address the Joplin note-taking application, a cross-platform, encrypted alternative to Apple Notes.