Category Archives: Technology

Episode 144, Apple’s Sept. 14 Keynote announced; RECCO, ‘twICEme’ iPhone App uses technology to bring bike helmets to a digital level of safety



In this episode, we will bypass the speculation nonsense, other than making sure you know about the Tuesday, September 14 Apple Keynote.  It’s at 10 am PDT streaming live, and will be available later.   We are expecting to see several new models of the iPhone, an AppleWatch and other hardware and software announcements.  There are plenty of stories already out there, but I’d rather spend the time on a topic more meaningful.   We will save that coverage for a Tuesday evening special Mac Minutes Podcast when we know the facts.  I’d encourage you to tune into the keynote and come back for our analysis.  This week I want to talk about a major step forward for biking safety, especially for those of us who venture out alone. I purchased this new bike helmet which came out this year, specifically the POC Kortal Race MIPS Bike Helmet. It has tons of structural safety features but the technology is what sold me.

The RECCO Search and Rescue (SAR ) detector can overlarge areas fast. From a height of 100 meters covering a search area of approx. 100 meters wide, the SAR enables rescuers to search 1 square kilometer within 6 minutes.
Mountain-biking wearing the POC Kortal MIPS Race helmet.
Photo of the Kortal Race MIPS helmet equipped with RECCO rescue reflector. The helmet retails for $250.  a 10% discount is available on their website
twICEme is the digital application on the Apple App Store that integrates vital ICE information into equipment, such as an equipped bike helmet.

Episode 143, Apple acquires Primephonic, classical music service; first states to adopt driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet; and new changes coming to the Apple App Store



In this episode we will review Apple’s top stories this week including Apple acquiring Primephonic, the renowned classical music streaming service; Apple announcing the first states signed up to adopt driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet; and App Store improvements, announcing a number of changes coming to the App Store after resolving dispute with developers.

 

The renowned classical music experience is coming to Apple Music.
Apple announced this week the first states including Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah to be among the first states to bring state IDs and driver’s licenses in Wallet to their residents.

 


Episode 142, Apple celebrates National Parks, offering fitness award; Activity Awards creates your achievements into beautiful magnets



In this episode we will discuss Apple celebrating National Parks in the United States by raising funds and an opportunity to earn a beautiful Apple Activity Challenge Fitness award and stickers this Saturday, August 28.  We will tell you how to participate in this noteworthy effort.  In the second half of the podcast we will talk about the Activity Awards company that offers physical representations of the digital fitness awards that Apple provides when Apple Watch owners meet their goals.

The 2021 National Parks Challenge Fitness Award available to those who participate on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Mac Minutes Podcast, Episode 141, UV Light sterilization explained; Review of the versatile Ampere Cell to clean your tech devices



In this episode we will continue our emphasis on health with a review of the versatile Ampere Cell, which uses UV light to clean your tech devices.  We will also explain how UV light appears to kill the deadly COVID virus and other harmful organisms.

When you’re not sanitizing your smartphone, power it up. Ampere Cell’s charging surface contains two 15W wireless charging coils to fast-charge any Qi-enabled device. More information is at their website ampere.shop

Episode 140, HeartWatch App adds features; Student IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch expand to Canada & more US universities



In this episode we will continue our emphasis on health with a review on a health application for the AppleWatch, named the HeartWatch.  It has recently added several new news and diagnostic features, including a partnership with the heart foundation, and personalized heart news.  This is definitely an interesting story for those who are heart conscious.  In the second half of the podcast, we will discuss the tens of thousands of students who will be returning to school this year and will be able to use mobile student IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch to get around campus and make purchases.

If you’re wanting to better understand your health, HeartWatch should be on the top of your list. It takes the information captured by the Apple Watch and gives you actionable way to improve your health.

 

With their student IDs in Wallet, university students and faculty can simply tap their iPhone to access campus buildings and make purchases.

Episode 139, Apple means business, personally and professionally



In this episode we will discuss a dozen reasons why Apple should be the choice of your personal and business interests.

See it all in sharp detail on the immersive 24‑inch 4.5K Retina display. The P3 wide color gamut brings what you’re watching to life in over a billion colors. Images shine with a brilliant 500 nits of brightness. Industry-leading anti‑reflective coating delivers greater comfort and readability. And True Tone technology automatically adjusts the color temperature of your display to the ambient light of your environment, for a more natural viewing experience. 
The thinnest, lightest notebook, completely transformed with an Apple M1 chip. CPU speeds up to 3.5x faster.
M1 has an 16 billion transistors with the Apple computing system on a chip.

 


Episode 137, Using the iMovie App with iPhone to make video magic



In this episode we will have a special guest, Ms. Liana Hanson, who will telling us how she has used the iMovie application with her iPhone to make good quality videos with audio for use on various platforms without expensive programs and support equipment.


Episode 136, AliveCor Kardia receives FDA clearance for personal ECG device for measurement of QTc Interval, a critical marker for heart safety



In this episode we will discuss AliveCor announced Thursday, July 8 it received 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for healthcare professionals to use the KardiaMobile 6L device to calculate patients’ QTc interval.  We will talk about the Kardia device and explain why this new announcement is important to those who have an interest in their heart health. More info on the device is at https://alivecor.com.

Six leads, six times the heart data of its competitors. Record an EKG anytime, anywhere. KardiaMobile 6L is portable and works wherever you are and get results in just 30 seconds. It is FDA-cleared and doctor recommended. The clinically validated 6-lead personal EKG, FDA-cleared to detect AFib, Bradycardia, and Tachycardia. Save your EKGs on your phone or send them to your doctor for review remotely. Compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and tablets.  

Episode 135, Colorful Apple Watch International Collection bands and watch faces show patriotism for upcoming Olympic Games; Apple launches public OS Beta program



In this episode, we will discuss the Apple’s launching this week of New Sport Loop bands and matching downloadable watch faces feature bold designs that represent 22 nations around the world. These bands are just in time to show your support for your summer Olympic teams taking place July 23 through August 8. Additionally, we will briefly talk about Apple launching the public beta operating systems.

Australia, Belgium, and Brazil International Collection Sport Loop bands and matching Stripes watch faces
The US International Collection Sport Loop and Stripes watch face.

Episode 134, Using Spatial Audio on Apple Music; Apple Fitness+ releases new episodes of ‘Time to Walk’ starting Monday, June 28



In this episode, we will discuss the Apple Music launching industry-leading sound quality to subscribers with the addition of spatial audio from some of your favorite artists with support for Dolby Atmos.  Additionally, new episodes of ‘Time to Walk’ are available for Fitness+ users on Apple Watch starting on Monday, June 28, with a whole new group of guests covering a wide spectrum of interesting topics.

New episodes of ‘Time to Walk’ are available for Fitness+ users on Apple Watch starting June 28, with guests including Randall Park, Michaela Jaé “MJ” Rodriguez, Anthony Joshua, and more.
Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio has arrived for Apple Music subscribers. First there was mono, then stereo, and now there’s Spatial Audio. Spatial is an immersive experience with sound moving around you in different directions.