Monthly Main Meeting Highlights
Welcome to our April 2015 Main Meeting.
Tonight Alex introduced us to the new MacBook. We have all seen the MacBook Air demonstrated at the main meeting. I would dub this the ”Thinner than Air” but it’s not a replacement for the MacBook Air, it’s Apples latest MacBook.
We started with a video from Apple's site explaining the engineering that went into building it.
The touch pad which has been re-engineered with a force touch which delivers a “responsive, uniform click no matter where you press the surface”.
The battery has been re worked. Rather than a conventional “clip in” battery it has been engineered as a ”terraced, contoured battery design to fit the internal space”.
Notice the smaller size motherboard. The design makes it about two thirds smaller and eliminates the need for bulky vents or fans.
It has a retina display in a twelve inch screen, but only has one port which is used for everything, “recharging, video output and data transfer”. Alex showed how you can connect a USB port to the connection and then add both the power and other devices to the machine together.
Although there has been much criticism of the lack of connections, Alex believes it is the way of the future with most connections going wireless.
It uses the new Intel core M chip which bridges the gap between the Atom and the core i5 series.
Alex commented on the basic use of this machine by saying that if you were a power user it may not suit your needs. Its main market would be as a solid performer for light portable computing. It will run Office and he recommended using Safari, the Mac browser, as you would get upwards of three more hours of battery life, even watching movies on download servers like Netflix.
Next up had a look at the new Samsung 7. Probably the world’s thinnest physical hard drive. This is not a SSD.
The drive has been slimmed down to 7 mm. It has 500gb storage and comes with a braided USB 3 cable connection.
Here is a video about the drive.
We then had a look at the new deals from Amaysim and Boost.
Amaysim is now offering 4G coverage and increased their data allowances. They now have three unlimited packages. They introduced an unlimited text package with 2GB of data, 500 minutes of standard calls and two unlimited packages with data limits of either 5GB at $44.90 and 7GB at $54.90. Both have unlimited standard calls and unlimited text. All plans have unlimited Amaysim to Amaysim calls and on the 4G or 3G network depending on reception.
Boost, who we saw in January have also increased their data level from 2.5 to 3GB with an extra 1 GB every Sunday, so you can relax and binge out on your favourite videos or download those new apps you need. Details
We then had a look at the latest beta release of Windows 10.
First up Alex looked at the Start Button. Unlike the one they re-introduced in Window 8.1 you can see now all the programs you have installed. The start button has both text and tiles.
If you click on “all apps”, you can see all the programs.
The titles area is customizable. You can add “live titles” to have your favourite apps available on the start button.
Settings has been revamped.
Alex commented on how the uninstall programs feature appears to be missing, so He showed us how to find the older control panel under files.
Cortana is the new Windows speech assistant. You can see the question “Ask me anything” next to the start button.
Alex tried to show us how she works.
Unfortunately, while we tried to “ask me anything” Cortana wouldn’t play. This is the problem with beta software, sometimes it won’t play ball.
We did however, have a look at Cortana’s controls. Starting at the home page, Alex showed us the tools Cortana has and how you can have note books and reminders. You can use Home to change the Cortana’s settings.
We did however, have a look at Cortana’s controls. Starting at the home page, Alex showed us the tools Cortana has and how you can have note books and reminders. You can use Home to change the Cortana’s settings.
We finished with a look at how Windows 10 can have multiple desktops with different titles or icons on each. As an example you can have one for your web site apps and one for the book you are writing.
It should launch around June or July and will be free to those who have either Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1.
You can download a complete iso preview from Microsoft.here
The Raffle
Tonight Alex brought a great array of goodies for the raffle.
Which included a Google Chromecast, a Toshiba backpack, thermal cups and loads of other prizes. Find out more about the Chromecast.
Some of our winners, and our Door Prize winner
