Scanning, OCR, Travel Phone Cases, and the Best Portable Computer – Mac Geek Gab 719

Back from their adventures, John and Dave talk through some travel-related tips, including the best iPhone case to use when on the road and the best mobile computer for you. That’s not all, though, as this week’s episode also includes segments about sharing to an older TV, resolving slow computers, and lots of great OCR solutions for both your Mac and your iPhone. Download, press play, and enjoy!

Concept Video Shows Apple Watch Series 4 with Bigger Display, New Complications

Word on the street says a redesigned Apple Watch is coming this fall, leading to speculation on what it will include. Concept Creator made a video showing what the Series 4 model could look like. It’s pretty similar to the Apple Watch we already have, but with a larger display that sports rounded corners, and new complications (including step count). Check out the video and see what you think.

Facebook 'Experimenting' with Low Earth Orbit Satellites for Internet Access

Facebook is “experimenting” with some LEO (low Earth orbit) satellites to connect the huge part of the world that remains without Internet access. After all, there are more than three billion products out there waiting to be sold, and Facebook wants to be the company that taps into all that merchandise those people. Wired did the footwork on this story, tracking down emails between the FCC and a lawyer representing Facebook through subsidiaries, but Facebook owned up to it when directly asked by the magazine. When I said “experimenting,” though, it really is an experiment. Facebook has been looking for ways to get the rest of the world connected for many years. Past experiments have included both a geosynchronous satellite (that blew up) and solar-powered gliders that didn’t work out. A network of up to thousands of LEO satellites, however, could do it.

Get Ready For Planet Mars Close Approach on July 31

On 31 July 2018, the planet Mars will be closer to Earth than it has been in 15 years. Technically, it’s called opposition, and the distance will be 35.7 million miles (57.6 million kilometers.) Look south in the late evening, west of the constellation Sagittarius, to see the dazzling red planet. Even a small telescope will bring out some detail, polar cap, etc. And check with your local planetarium for a special observing event. This NASA doc has the details.