Maccast Members 195 - Adaptation

Introduction

• I’ve been thinking lately about adaptation.
• Not the 2002 movie starring Nicholas Cage, but the need or ability to change in response to the imposed conditions.
• There are many reasons I’ve been pondering this and I thought it could mark a good starting point for us to have a conversation today, so that’s what i’m going to do.

Adapting your technology

• A recent trip to Las Vegas started me thinking about adaptation and how often times we adapt out of necessity of a situation and often do it without even recognizing it.
• Specifically we do this with technology all the time.
• Technology becomes the imposed condition that forces you to adapt.
• A few specific examples that happened to me on my trip
  • Network Connectivity
    • We got to our hotel and the free wi-fi sucked, 1Mbps
    • We had 7 devices with us
      • 3 iPhones, 2 iPads, and 2 Macs
    • We could buy extra access, but it was per device at $15/wk.
    • So the imposed condition. I wanted access for all my devices, but did not want to pay $105.00
    • So I had to adapt
      • Luckily I remembered that the Mac has Internet Sharing
      • I connected and purchased access for one Mac on Ethernet
      • Settings > Sharing > Internet Sharing
      • Share connection from ‘Ethernet’
      • To computers using ‘Wi-Fi’
      • In WiFi options set a Network Name and Password
    • Wish I had remembered to pack my Airport Express as this would have also allowed me to share the hotel Ethernet Connection
  • Apple TV
    • I had brought out Apple TV with us to watch movies
    • The hotel TV had the typical issues though. Luckily it did have and HDMI port, but when we attached the Apple TV it worked except when we tried play movie content.
    • No sound. No matter what I did, no audio.
    • I had the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter for my Macbook Pro
    • Connected via that and played movies directly from iTunes
  • VNC to Mac on iPad Pro
    • This is another recent example that I covered in the show
    • I can use Screens to run OS X apps on my iPad Pro remotely
    • Let’s me adapt to get functionality on my iPad Pro that I would not have otherwise
    • It’s not as good as working locally, but works fairly well.

Adapting Apple

• Apple has been taking a beating from Wallstreet and analysts recently
• Concerns over slowing iPad sales for a while and now a slowing in iPhone sales
• Apple is in a period of adaptation
  • The iPad and iPhone product lines have matured
  • Market saturation
  • Product feature enhancement is limited
• That’s why in the short term they are diversifying
  • Enhancing service offerings, like Apple Music
  • Enhancing/expanding secondary product lines like Apple Watch, Apple TV, Beats & accessories (battery case anyone?)
• Long term are exploring new revolutionary opportunities
  • Apple Car
  • VR and augmented reality
  • Artificial intelligence
• What replaces the current tech
  • What’s next in computers, smartphones, tablets?
  • As my friend Ken Ray would say, think Star Trek

Adapting Maccast

• Still struggling to find my way with Maccast Members
• Really want to offer more content and exclusives.
  • Don’t forget to take advantage of our Slack
  • Send me an email to member@maccast.com with the email you want to use and I’ll get you in
• Have always wanted a bit more “behind the scenes” and personal content
  • You represent the best supporters of the show and I can’t thank you enough for your support.
  • It’s you support that covers a lot of the foundations of the show. Servers, hosting, equipment, travel, etc.
• After 11 years I sort of feel like it’s time to up the game for the show
  • Not sure how or what will fit into my already busy schedule
  • I’m fairly sure what will be needed is help for other people
  • Been solo for too long
• I’m open to ideas and feedback.
• Will be at Macstock 2016
  • July 16th and 17th
  • If you want to go, I have a special deal for the first five members that email me. I can get you tickets for $79.00. Almost half price. This offer exclusive to Maccast Members.
  • If you’re there and a Maccast Member let me know and I’ll buy you the drink of your choice.

Closing

• As always send in your comments, feedback, and questions
• member@maccast.com - exclusive to Maccast Members