Dear Friend,
It's hard to believe but this newsletter has been published every month - rain, shine or snow - for six years and remember technology years are like dog years - that's over forty years for mere mortals. After you stop celebrating - and I know you are - you can check last month's issue if you missed the most popular items - the Internet of Things (new video), iPad Tips and Tricks and the serious threat of Ransomeware.

"I have one but I don't use it much" - something I hear every day about the latest gadgets - particularly tablets like the iPad. Individuals and businesses have purchased these devices that on the surface are easy to use - anyone can make a simple app work - email, a game or Facebook. This is likely the reason interest in my iPad 102 class has increased dramatically. We're talking about expensive real computers and people are realizing they need training to use them effectively and get their money's worth. Businesses, associations and individuals know they haven't begun to tap the power of their newest computers. To buy powerful technology and not invest in training is a big mistake.

This was the month the hammer started to drop - albeit slowly - on credit card transactions. I've written and spoken frequently on this topic and now the gradual change to chip and signature, then chip and pin, and finally mobile payments is underway. The latest Samsung Galaxy smartphone has a leg up in the latter instance since it can mimic the signal from a card swipe transaction so new point of sale hardware is not necessary. The important thing to remember is traditional mag stripe credit cards are the most insecure payment devices you can imagine and the faster they disappear the better. If you have a recent model smartphone of any type, give mobile payments a try - it can't hurt. Just Google "how do I use Samsung Pay, Android Pay or Apple Pay. 
         - Gary

Freezing your credit scores - one step you can take to fight ID theft
My recent newsletters have described ways to avoid online fraud and here's something you can do to stop someone from really wrecking your life. If someone gets enough of your personal information the first thing they are likely to do is apply for a credit card in your name and go on a major shopping spree. Before the card can be issued, however, the bank will need to check your credit rating to make sure you are a good risk. You can prevent this credit check from happening if you freeze your credit and the card will not be issued. This link tells you how to go about it - well worth reading.

Apple fall update
In its semiannual product rollout Apple made several significant announcements. Here's a short list and you can read a more detailed description on my blog here.
          • A 13" iPad
          • iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
          • A long overdue version of Apple TV
          • iOS 9 with split screen
          • 3D Touch
          • A Smart back button

PICTURE THIS - think small
We often try to photograph the grandeur of a breath taking scene and usually fail. "It doesn't look like it did when we were there" you mumble apologetically. It shouldn't take a genius to know you can't show the Grand Canyon on a 4x6 print. So why not go small - you can really capture the wonder of smaller objects in a simple photo - either zoom in, get close or crop drastically.

These images show examples of small, up close photography. In the case of the stone arch, it was one of a dozen in the full bridge picture.

Click on the images to see larger versions. In terms of picture quality, there's not much difference between iPhone and dSLR versions, right?