At last month’s PPUG meeting I presented Using technology to be healthy and live longer. If you missed the meeting you can download my presentation (.key, or .pdf).

The products I demonstrated included:

• Jawbone UP ($129.99) – Wristband that tracks how you sleep, move and eat. Also includes cool additional features like smart alarm, power nap and idle alert. This is the band that I replaced my Nike+ FuelBand with because of the sleep monitoring.
• BodyMedia FIT LINK ($149.99) – Armband that monitors your calories, activity and sleep. It’s a FDA-registered medical device that’s the most accurate at calorie burn (based on clinical trials). It includes sensors for skin temperature, galvanic skin response and heat flux. It integrates with the new Withings WS-50 Wi-Fi scale. Requires a subscription to use beyond the trial period: $6.95/month, $59/1 year, $89/2 years.
• Withings Smart Body Analyzer ($149.95) – This killer, next-generation Wi-Fi scale measures weight, body composition, heart rate, indoor air quality and features in-app coaching. It also syncs with the BodyFit system and the Withings Health Mate app for iOS (free, App Store).

The Philadelphia PowerBook Users Group (PPUG) will hold its Welcome to Springtime Festival meeting from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Manayunk Brewing Company. We usually have lunch (and a brew) while we talk mobile computing.

PPUG founders Jason O’Grady (PowerPage.org), Rob Parker, Bob Snow, as well as Youngmoo Kim will be on hand to talk about latest developments in mobile computing, new Macs, iPad, iPod, iPhones, and the latest Apple developments.  Come hear special presentations from our panel and some demos as well.

Jason will begin his lively presentation with an update on the latest Apple hardware rumors (iPhone 5S, iPad 5, Retina iPad mini, Apple watch) and some of his favorite Kickstarter projects, including the Pebble watch.

Jason’s feature presentation will be on the latest in wearable/fitness computers, including the Jawbone Up, Nike FuelBand, FitBit Zip and the upcoming FitBit Flex. He will also be covering the related hardware (like the FitBit Aria and Withings WS-50 Wi-Fi scales) and the iPhone apps that pull it all together.

Of course we’ll have a healthy serving of Q&A.

Join us for a great meeting, it’s free and open to you and your guests.
—->Feel free to bring items to sell or swap as well.

For directions and information to the conclave:

Manayunk Brewing Company
4120 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215.482.8220

http://www.manayunkbrewery.com

PPUG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR AUGUST 20, 2011 MEETING

The countdown begins for our Summer Spectacular Festive PPUG Meeting.

The Philadelphia PowerBook Users Group (PPUG) will hold its summer festival meeting on Saturday, 20 August 2011. The meeting will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Manayunk Brewing Company. We usually have lunch (or a brew) while we talk mobile computing.

PPUG founders Jason O’Grady (PowerPage.org), Rob Parker, Bob Snow, as well as Youngmoo Kim will be on hand to talk about latest developments in mobile computing. There is so much to talk about: the new OS 10.7 Lion — Jason will discuss preinstallation issues, what is new, gained, and lost, with a lively demo as well.  There are new hardware developments to talk about: MacBook Air Mini, and Thunderbolt.  Join us as we will be the first local user group to discuss the new developments. The meeting will help you decide whether it’s time to upgrade.  Of course we’ll have a healthy serving of Q&A.

Join us for a great meeting, it’s free and open to you and your guests.
Feel free to bring items to sell or swap as well.

Manayunk Brewing Company
4120 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215.482.8220

http://www.manayunkbrewery.com

PPUG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FEBRUARY 26, 2011 MEETING

The Philadelphia PowerBook Users Group (PPUG) will hold its winter holiday festival meeting on Saturday, 26 February 2011. The meeting will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Manayunk Brewing Company. We usually have lunch (or a brew) while we talk mobile computing.

PPUG founders Jason O’Grady (PowerPage.org), Rob Parker, Bob Snow, as well as Youngmoo Kim will be on hand to talk about latest developments in mobile computing. Hear the news about the new Verizon iPhone announcement, the Mac App store, and all the speculation about iPad 2 — and that’s just the start.  Be on hand as Jason relates all the news from this year’s MacWorld Expo 2011, and of course we’ll have a healthy serving of Q&A.

Join us for a great meeting, it’s free and open to you and your guests.
Feel free to bring items to sell or swap as well.

Manayunk Brewing Company
4120 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215.482.8220

http://www.manayunkbrewery.com

PPUG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR November 6, 2010 MEETING

Philadelphia PowerBook Users Group (PPUG, http://www.ppug.net) will hold its Autumn 2010 meeting on Saturday, 6 November  2010.

The meeting will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Manayunk Brewing Company.  We usually have lunch (and a brew) while we talk mobile computing.

PPUG founders Jason O‚Grady (PowerPage.org), Rob Parker, Bob Snow, as well as Youngmoo Kim will be on hand to talk about latest from Apple.

Jason will be bringing in his brand new MacBook Air to demo the latest in mobile computing.    Jason wonders, “could it be the ultimate blogging machine?”  (See his ZDNET BLOG:  http://tinyurl.com/2f838c9 )

Additionally we will take [pride in discussing the upcoming new system, Mac OS 10.7, Lion, it’s new features and what we can expect.  What does the new system promise?  For one, the Mac Apps store for sure and what this means for the road warrior.

We will discuss all that’s new in Apple’s announcements from both September and the latest from October.

So be on hand for the festival of new Apple developments

This plans to really be an extravaganza:

New MacBook Air

Mac OS 10.7  Lion

iOS 4.X

New iPods, iPhones, and iPad Developments

You won’t find all of this under one roof unless you go to San Francisco.

So be on hand for our Mini Manayunk MacWorld.

Bring your new toys to show them off and help with the demos.

Feel free to bring items to sell or swap as well.

Join us for a great meeting, it‚s free and open to you and your guests.

So much in so little time: so be on time we will get started.

Manayunk Brewing Company

4120 Main Street

Philadelphia, PA 19127

215.482.8220

http://www.manayunkbrewery.com

PPUG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR JULY 31, 2010 MEETING

Philadelphia PowerBook Users Group (PPUG, http://www.ppug.net) will hold its Summer 2010 meeting on Saturday, 31 July 2010.  The meeting will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Manayunk Brewing Company.  We usually have lunch (and a brew) while we talk mobile computing.

PPUG founders Jason O’Grady (PowerPage.org), Rob Parker, Bob Snow, as well as Youngmoo Kim will be on hand to talk about latest developments from Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC): iPhone 4G, iOS 4.0, the iPad, the App Store, and and the latest in mobile computing.

Our panel will give live demos of the new iPhone 4, iPad and discuss the very best apps for work and play and iPad accessories.  We will discuss all the news & announcements from June’s WWDC.  Additionally we will have a Q&A session.

This plans to really be an extravaganza:

iPhone 4
iPad
iPad accessories that won’t break the bank
iOS4
Apps
Demos

Bring your new toys to show them off and help with the demos.

Feel free to bring items to sell or swap as well.

Join us for a great meeting, it’s free and open to you and your guests.
So much in so little time:  so be on time we will get started.
Manayunk Brewing Company
4120 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215.482.8220

http://www.manayunkbrewery.com

This is a video that Rob Parker shot and edited in about 20 minutes during the Philadelphia PowerBook User Group (PPUG) meeting in Manayunk. Have you ever seen such a cast of characters?

Speaking on the iPad and other mobile-centric gadgetry were Jason O’Grady, Youngmoo Kim and Bob Snow.

This video was shot on the Canon 7D using an old fully manual Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens. A real beauty. Parker shot on a custom neutral video setting with no correction of any kind done to the final video. What you see is what he saw.

Music is Computerwelt by Kraftwerk

The Philadelphia PowerBook Users Group (PPUG) will hold its Winter 2010 meeting on Saturday, 20 March 2010.  The meeting will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Manayunk Brewing Company. We usually have lunch (or a brew) while we talk mobile computing.

PPUG founders Jason O’Grady (PowerPage.org), Rob Parker, Bob Snow, as well as Youngmoo Kim will be on hand to talk about latest developments and the latest in mobile technology.  We’ll talk about all the news and announcements from Macworld 2010 with a healthy serving of Q&A.

Now that Apple has announced the iPad, where does it fit in the mobile technology landscape? Does it overlap with the iPhone and the MacBook? Or does it fit exactly in-between the two?  At PPUG’s March 2010 meeting, Jason will dissect the pros and cons of Apple’s new “tablet” Mac and will discuss its advantages and disadvantages over a netbook.  If you’re thinking about the iPad, come to the March meeting and we’ll set your straight.

Join us for a great meeting, it’s free and open to you and your guests.
Feel free to bring items to sell or swap as well.

Manayunk Brewing Company
4120 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215.482.8220

http://www.manayunkbrewery.com

The Philadelphia PowerBook Users Group (PPUG) will hold its autumn 2009 meeting on Saturday, 21 November 2009.  The meeting will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Manayunk Brewing Company. We usually have lunch (or a brew) while we talk mobile computing.

PPUG founders Jason O’Grady (PowerPage.org), Rob Parker, Bob Snow, as well as Youngmoo Kim will be on hand to talk about latest developments from Apple, including Snow Leopard (10.6.1), iPhone OS 3.1.2, the best iPhone apps for productivity, rumors about the next  Macbooks (plastic perhaps) and Tablet, and the latest in mobile technology.  We’ll talk about all the news and announcements about the upcoming MacWorld 2010 as well as a healthy serving of Q&A.

Join us for a great meeting, it’s free and open to you and your guests.
Feel free to bring items to sell or swap as well.

Manayunk Brewing Company

4120 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215.482.8220

http://www.manayunkbrewery.com