iOS Today (Audio)

In this episode of iOS Today, hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive deep into the world of HomePod and HomePod mini, revealing a treasure trove of tips and tricks. From setting alarms and using intercom features to leveraging built-in sensors and personal requests, the duo explores the full potential of Apple's smart speakers. The episode concludes with a Shortcuts Corner segment, addressing a viewer's question about customizing shortcut menu appearances. HomePod Tips and Tricks: Setting alarms: Using voice commands or the Home app to set and manage alarms on HomePod Shazam integration: HomePod can identify songs playing nearby, though it doesn't save the results Temperature and humidity sensors: Newer HomePods can measure room conditions Intercom feature: Send voice messages to specific rooms or the entire house Ambient sounds: Apple's remastered soundscapes for relaxation and focus Personal requests: Access messages, reminders, calendars, and more through voice commands "What's my update?" feature: Get a personalized morning briefing including weather, reminders, and news Troubleshooting: Rosemary shares her experience with Siri weather responses and offers tips for resolving issues Feedback: A listener wants to know how to omit BBEdit from constantly showing up as a "Recent" file Shortcuts Corner: Custom menu images: A viewer asks how to add custom images to shortcut menus Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

In this episode of iOS Today, hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard unveil a treasure trove of hidden features and advanced tips for iOS and iPadOS devices. From transforming your on-screen keyboard into a precision text-editing tool to customizing contact notifications, the hosts cover many practical tips to enhance your Apple device experience. They also explore photo editing tricks, Wi-Fi password sharing, live captions in FaceTime, and creating shortcuts for health management. Keyboard tricks: Using the spacebar as a trackpad for precise text editing Quick-switching between letters, numbers, and symbols without changing keyboards Contact customization: Setting personalized vibrations and ringtones for important contacts Managing emergency bypass settings to prioritize notifications Photo management: Copying text from screenshots when apps don't allow selection Applying consistent edits across multiple photos iOS 17 features: Streamlined two-factor authentication with automatic code-filling Customizable home screen layouts and focus modes Communication enhancements: Live captions in FaceTime calls Replying to specific messages in iMessage threads Feedback: Discussion on authentication for the new iPhone mirroring feature Shortcuts Corner: Medication reminders: Creating a shortcut to set alarms for medication schedules Nutritional tracking: Developing a custom shortcut to log dietary information in the Health app Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

In this episode of iOS Today, hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive into the second half of the 2024 Apple Design Award winners, covering the categories of Social Impact, Visuals and Graphics, and the new Spatial Computing category. They discuss standout apps and games that push the boundaries of design and functionality across Apple's platforms, including innovative uses of Apple Vision Pro technology. Social Impact category winners: Gentler Streak: A fitness app that takes a more compassionate approach to fitness tracking The Wreck: A narrative game exploring themes of grief and sisterhood Visuals and Graphics category winners: Rooms: An 8-bit style room design app with social features Lies of P: A Pinocchio-inspired action game with stunning visuals Spatial Computing category winners: djay: A DJ app that creates an immersive turntable experience in Apple Vision Pro Blackbox: A puzzle game that cleverly uses device sensors and features Shortcuts Corner: Discussion of how to add custom app icons to shortcuts in iOS 17 and 18 Rosemary and Mikah also addressed a listener question about the potential of AI-enhanced Siri to provide personalized recommendations based on user data, discussing the possibilities and limitations of such features. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard check out the first set of winners and finalists of the Apple Design Awards 2024. They discuss apps and games that stood out in the categories of Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, and Interaction, highlighting how these apps and games make the most of Apple's technologies and deliver exceptional experiences. Later in the Shortcuts Corner segment, Rosemary tackles a listener question about creating a medication reminder shortcut. Main Topic: Apple Design Award Winners - Part 1 Bears Gratitude (winner, Delight and Fun): A cute and colorful journaling app that encourages daily gratitude entries and self-care. NYT Games (winner, Delight and Fun): A comprehensive collection of games from the New York Times, including crosswords, Spelling Bee, Wordle, and more. Crayola Adventures (winner, Inclusivity): An adventure game for children that sets a new standard for inclusive character creation options. oko (winner, Inclusivity): An accessible navigation app that uses AI to provide detailed instructions and assistance for visually impaired users. Lost in Play (winner, Innovation): A beautifully drawn adventure game that feels like an interactive graphic novel. Procreate Dreams (winner, Innovation): A powerful drawing and illustration app that takes full advantage of the Apple Pencil and its features. Crouton (winner, Interaction): A feature-rich recipe manager and meal planner with unique interactions, such as using facial gestures to navigate recipes on iPhone and iPad. Rytmos (winner, Interaction): A clever puzzle game where solving mazes creates layered audio loops, resulting in a full musical composition. Shortcuts Corner: Listener Alex asks for help creating a shortcut to remind his father-in-law to take medication every five hours, without disturbing him during the night. Rosemary explains that while it's not possible to directly log medication in the Health app, a close solution can be achieved. She suggests adding an icon to the home screen that, when tapped, logs the medication as taken and sets a reminder for the next dose. The shortcut should also disable any existing medication reminders and avoid setting reminders during the father-in-law's sleeping hours. Rosemary walks through the process of creating the shortcut using actions like Find Alarms, Adjust Date, and If statements. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

In this episode of iOS Today, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard explore the additional features coming in iOS and iPadOS 18 that weren't covered in their initial WWDC recap. They discuss the exciting potential of Apple's new AI capabilities with Apple Intelligence, fascinating updates to the Notes app with enhanced handwriting recognition, and much more. The show concludes with an insightful Shortcuts Corner segment exploring automation improvements tied to AirPods and the Home app. Main Topic: iOS 18 Additional Features - Apple Intelligence: Apple's take on generative AI with a focus on privacy and on-device processing. Woven into many new iOS 18 features. - Writing tools: Enhancements to make text more friendly/professional, summarize, proofread, and more. Smart reply improvements in Mail. - Image generation: An "image playground" to create custom images based on context. Unique "Genmoji" to make your own emoji. - Photos: Improved search, memory movies, and the ability to clean up unwanted elements in pictures. - Siri: ChatGPT integration and potential for other large language models in the future. - Notes app: Auto-refine and straighten handwriting, copy handwriting as text, audio recording, and more updates coming post-release. - Calculator app and Math Notes: A new place for handwritten equations, graphing, and dynamic calculation. - Maps: Integrated hiking trail maps and topographic maps, potentially replacing third-party apps. - Passwords app: A dedicated place to manage passwords across devices, similar to third-party password managers. - SharePlay: Shared playback controls on HomePods and screen sharing with device control in FaceTime. - Wallet app and Apple Pay: "Tap to Cash" for easy money transfer, rewards/points balances, and installment financing options. - Journal app: Search functionality, widgets for writing prompts and streaks, and integration with Health app. - Apple TV app: "Insight" feature to identify on-screen people and music, plus enhanced dialogue options on more devices. - Home app: Granular controls for guest access, HomeKey improvements for hands-free unlocking. Shortcuts Corner - AirPods: Head nodding/shaking detection for automation prompts and enhanced voice isolation for better audio in windy conditions. - Home app: Robot vacuum integration to run cleaning automations when everyone leaves home. - Energy monitoring: Ability to add utility providers to track energy usage and work towards more eco-friendly automations. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive deep into the core features of the highly anticipated iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, fresh off the heels of Apple's WWDC keynote. The duo explores the major changes and improvements users can expect, from the redesigned Messages and Photos apps to the enhanced customization options for the home screen and Control Center. Rosemary also shares her insights on the upcoming changes to the Shortcuts app in the Shortcuts Corner segment. iOS 18 and iPadOS 18: Messages app improvements: scheduled messages, text formatting, animated effects, and RCS support Phone app updates: T9 search and the ability to record and transcribe calls Home screen customization: large icons, free placement of apps, and tinted icons Control Center enhancements: widget-like functionality and customizable pages Photos app redesign: new carousel view, collections, memories, and AI-powered features Mail app updates: categorization, grouping emails, and design changes (coming later) Siri improvements: seamless switching between typing and talking, and enhanced understanding Privacy and security updates: limiting app access to contacts, local networks, and Bluetooth devices Minor updates to the Health, Fitness, Reminders, and Calendar apps Shortcuts Corner: App Intents: the magic behind Shortcuts, driving many of the new features Redesigned Shortcuts app UI: improved organization and faster loading times Enhanced scripting actions: checking device type and adding multiple conditions to an "if" action Shortcuts in Control Center and on the lock screen for quick access Simplified Home app actions for controlling accessories New Reminders actions: opening specific lists, pinning/unpinning lists Books app actions: navigating pages, opening specific views, and controlling page scrolling Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Your iPhone and iPad can be powerhouse devices — especially when you have the right tools for the job. In this episode of iOS Today, Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some great tools and utilities to help you take your iPhone and iPad to the next level of productivity. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

If you've been rocking the standard, default, first-party widgets from Apple, your widget game needs an upgrade! Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of the best widgets to stay updated, informed, and in control on your iPhone and iPad. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

In this episode of iOS Today, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard discuss their experiences with Apple's newly released M4 iPad Pros and accessories. They cover the new features and improvements, including the OLED display, updated design, Magic Keyboard with function keys, and the new Apple Pencil Pro. Rosemary also addresses a listener's question about creating a shortcut to quickly access downtime settings on a Mac. M4 iPad Pros: • The new iPad Pros have an OLED display, offering improved contrast and color reproduction • Storage options include 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB, with higher-tier models having more RAM and an extra performance core. • The Magic Keyboard has been updated with a function row, haptic trackpad, and all-new hardware design. • The Apple Pencil Pro introduces haptic feedback, a programmable squeeze gesture, and a "barrel roll" feature for adjusting brush/tool shape based on pencil orientation • Apps like Freeform and GoodNotes are being updated to support the new Apple Pencil Pro capabilities • Availability varies by model, and waiting for refurbished units or discounts may be beneficial Shortcuts Corner: • A listener asks for a way to quickly access downtime settings on their children's Macs • Rosemary creates a shortcut using the Mac's System Preferences URL scheme to open the downtime settings directly • She recommends adding the shortcut to the Mac's menu bar for easy access • While it's not possible to toggle downtime automatically with a shortcut due to security concerns, this method still streamlines the process of adjusting the settings Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

In this episode of iOS Today, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive into the world of Safari extensions, discussing a variety of handy tools that can enhance your browsing experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. From content blockers to custom search engines, the duo explores the benefits and potential drawbacks of these powerful add-ons. Additionally, Rosemary tackles a Shortcuts Corner question about switching Apple Watch faces using Siri. Safari Extensions: Browser Note: A simple extension that allows you to stick virtual post-it notes on websites, reminding you of important information when you revisit the page. Keyword Search: An extension that enables custom search engines for various websites, allowing you to quickly search Amazon, DuckDuckGo, and even TWiT.tv right from Safari's address bar. 1Blocker: A powerful content blocker that prevents ads and trackers from loading on web pages, potentially speeding up your browsing experience and protecting your privacy. Redirect Web for Safari: An extension that lets you create custom redirect rules for websites, ensuring you always end up on the correct version of a site (e.g., old.reddit.com instead of www.reddit.com). PayPal Honey: A controversial but money-saving extension that automatically finds and applies coupons and deals as you shop online. Vinegar and Baking Soda: Two extensions that work together to improve your video watching experience by replacing the native video player controls on YouTube and other video sites with iOS's native controls. Opener: While not technically a Safari extension, this app allows you to choose which app opens when you click on a link, giving you more control over your browsing experience. Shortcuts Corner: Doug asks how to switch Apple Watch faces using Siri without having to confirm the action on his watch when his iPhone is locked. Rosemary walks through the process of ensuring the shortcut has the necessary permissions to run when the device is locked and troubleshoots potential issues Doug may be facing. If the "Allow Running When Locked" option is missing, Rosemary suggests resetting the shortcut's privacy settings or recreating the shortcut from scratch. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

In this episode of iOS Today, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard discuss the announcements from Apple's May 2024 iPad event. They cover the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models, the Apple Pencil Pro, and updates to Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad. New iPad Air features the M2 chip, updated colors (though the new "purple" color is underwhelming), and landscape front camera, now available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes Apple Pencil Pro introduced with pressure-sensitive barrel sensor, gyroscope for "barrel roll" feature, and haptic feedback New 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models are thinner, featuring tandem OLED displays for improved brightness and contrast and debuts the M4 chip, offering performance improvements Magic Keyboard updated with function row and haptic trackpad Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 adds Live Multicam feature using new Final Cut Camera app, faster rendering, and support for external and cloud-based projects Logic Pro for iPad 2 includes AI-powered features like ChromaGlow for analog warmth, Session Players, and Stem Splitter for isolating track elements Shortcuts Corner: iOS 17 added Transcribe Audio action for transcribing audio files, Show Passwords action for quick access to passwords in Settings, and actions for managing mobile hotspot settings iOS 17.4 introduced Get Orientation action to detect device orientation (useful for Action button automations), Get Activities action to determine user activity (walking, running, cycling, in car), and Shut Down/Restart actions for device power management Show Definition action provides quick access to word definitions without using the Dictionary app Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

We use our iPhones & iPads for serious business, but sometimes it's nice to take a break. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some fun and silly games for the times when you just need to zone out. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent guide viewers through the ins and outs of the Apple News app on iOS devices. They explore the differences between the free version and the subscription-based Apple News Plus, offering insights on how to tailor the news feed to suit one's preferences. Plus, useful tips on managing content, understanding editorial curation, and utilizing the 'More' button to enhance the reading experience. And if you're an Apple Music fan curious about connecting with Spotify users, stick around as Rosemary crafts a shortcut to convert and share song links seamlessly between platforms. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

In this exciting episode of iOS Today, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard embark on a thrilling adventure, exploring a range of iOS apps and features designed to enhance your outdoor experiences. From hiking trails and pollen forecasts to offline maps and home security, they cover it all. Join them as they share their top picks and dive into the world of iOS shortcuts to help you make the most of your devices. AllTrails: A popular app for finding nearby trails, with filters for distance, difficulty, and attractions. It offers trail information, photos, and offline downloads for Plus subscribers. OS Maps by Ordnance Survey: Great Britain's official mapping app, providing offline access to maps, routes, and public transport information. It also integrates with CarPlay for easy navigation. First Aid by American Red Cross: A free app offering a comprehensive guide to administering first aid in various situations, with quizzes and training classes available. Guru Maps & Navigation Offline: An offline map app that allows users to download maps for cities and regions worldwide, ensuring access to navigation even without an internet connection. My Pollen Forecast Pro: An app that provides local pollen forecasts, helping users track allergens and potential triggers. It offers a companion Apple Watch app for on-the-go information. National Trust - Days Out App: A UK-specific app that helps users discover events and historical sites managed by the National Trust organization. Shortcuts Corner: Ron's request for a shortcut to adjust alarm volume or output based on whether he's wearing earbuds. Rosemary suggests using the sleep alarm feature or creating an automation to play a song on a HomePod when the alarm goes off. Steve's request for a way to manage notifications from home sensors during bedtime to monitor an elderly family member with dementia. Rosemary advises setting up activity notifications for specific sensors within the Home app. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

What do you do when you don't have WiFi or cellular service? Mikah Sargent and guest host Dan Moren share some tips, tricks, and apps that will work when you're using your iPhone offline. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Spring has fully sprung and that means it's time for Spring Cleaning! Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of their favorite tips, tricks, and apps to help you clean up your Apple devices and make room for new photos, music, files, and more! Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Apple's operating systems are filled to the brim with accessibility affordances, features, and technology. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of the accessibility features you can use on your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

If you're looking to take a trip, these apps for iPhone and iPad can help you plan and complete your trip with ease. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of their favorite apps for travel management, flight tracking, packing, and more. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Want a better way to organize and track the videos you watch? Want to keep up with all the latest streaming shows? Need a way to organize and mark off your grocery list? Worried you'll forget to pack something when you travel? Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of the best apps for keeping track of everything you do with list apps. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Rosemary is joined once again by developer James Thomson to discuss developing apps for Apple's new Vision Pro mixed reality headset. James provides insights from his experiences creating 3D interfaces and porting his apps like PCalc to Vision Pro. They explore the device's potential, current app ecosystem, and challenges around personalizing the headset for multiple users. James shares the backstory of the silly 3D "Easter egg" he created years ago in the PCalc About screen Porting the 2D PCalc app to Vision Pro vs. bringing his 3D dice app experience to the new platform using RealityKit Potential challenges if the Vision Pro fails to gain a critical mass of users and developers Comparisons to the iPhone and Watch launches - will a lower cost "Vision SE" be needed? The personal customizability of Vision Pro hardware to each user's eyes/face and subsequent challenges for device sharing Discussion of early rental services popping up in China to allow people to try before buying Excitement for the evolution of visuals and "holodeck" experiences Feedback Bill asks if there's a suitable mount for holding iPhones on top of flat TVs Shortcuts Corner Dickie asks Rosemary how he can downsize batches of images into a new standardized folder without resizing already-small files. Host: Rosemary Orchard Guest: James Thomson Want access to the video version and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.