Apple Presents New Technologies to Mac Group

Apple guru Dave Marra spoke to the Long Island Macintosh Users Group about new Apple technologies Friday night at the New York Institute of Technology.

LIMac is a not-for-profit computer group which offers information and education on the Macintosh and related computer products. The group has about 200 members, with several from Syosset, including the group's President and member Bill Medlow.

Marra, an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator and Certified Systems Administrator, gave a presentation which included the Apple TV, but mostly focused on the iPad2. This was the tenth time Marra presented for LIMac - last year he spoke about the iPad.

“Dave always has something new to say,” Medlow said.

According to LIMac members, Marra’s presentations are the best.

“I enjoy his energy, as always,” said member Leonard Provenzano.

Marra highlighted the many features of the iPad2, and went into detail on the different aspects of its design. He also compared the iPad2 with other tablets and the iPad, remarking that the iPad2 is 15% lighter and 33% thinner than the original iPad.

Marra also went into detail of accessibility features and various applications. At the end of his speech, he presented interactive demos to the audience, and he played the piano via the application Garage Band for the members, displaying iPad2’s velocity and touch sensitive screen.

According to Marra, Apple’s iPad is proud of its educational and accessibility functions. Marra works with schools and to promote the iPad’s many features.    With accessibility functions such as Voiceover and Screen Zoom, iPad supports those who are visually impaired. Applications such as Proloquo2go, the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system, helps individuals with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and more.

Presentations, such as Marra’s, were not created for LIMac to convince members to purchase a product. It instead gives the opportunity for members to talk about a product and see what they can do with it.

“I mostly like learning about it,” Provenzano said after seeing the iPad in the community and with his friends. 

“We’re not buyers and consumers, we’re users,” Medlow added.

According to LIMac board member and Syosset resident Alfred Choy, the LIMac group is a community organization that is up to date and intellectual.

There are always raffles of different technologies. Before the presentation began, one member even brought in a Macintosh monitor to give away to whoever wanted it.

Medlow said the first meeting of LIMac is free and if you become a member, the membership also extends to your family. Meetings are in the 300 building at the Old Westbury campus of NYIT and it is usually the second Friday of the month. 

Medlow encourages the community to also go to their website LIMac.org.  The meetings always begin with questions and answers, and there is even a separate section for those who just want to know the basics.

“We are looking to help people,” Medlow said. “There is always something that you learn.”