Dave took one for the team and got himself a HomePod, so we dig deep and discuss why it should or should not be your personal assistant. We discuss apps for managing podcasts, third-party keyboards, spam caller blocking, and camera tweaks. We also cover apps that repurpose your devices in fun ways. Full show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com 

Direct Link to Audio

Apple Releases iOS 11.2.6 With Fix for Telugu Character Bug That Causes iOS Devices to Crash — MacRumors

Apple Releases Minor watchOS 4.2.3 Update With Bug Fixes — MacRumors

Apple Releases Minor tvOS 11.2.6 Update — MacRumors

Repurpose Your Old Phone into a Security Camera - The Digital Story

Dave concludes that HomePod is great for those who live fairly exclusively in the Apple ecosystem. If you are an Apple user with a discerning taste for sound, and this will be your first speaker, then go for it! The sound is amazing and the internal microphone recognition is uncontested. Unfortunately, there were more downsides than value for Dave to keep the HomePod. It could not compete with other devices that already suit Dave’s personal assistant needs. There is no Spotify or SiriusXM — it’s Apple Music all the way and will likely remain that way. You can’t make phone calls or manage your calendar from HomePod. As Melissa points out, it really doesn’t seem like it’s a family-friendly product at this time as there are no distinguished voices. While it may currently disappoint on features, the hardware is impeccably crafted giving it great potential to be more than just another assistant in a can. We think HomePod can only get better and we look forward to future iterations.

Melissa discusses her recent presentation at her local Mac Users’ Group on the topic of podcatchers. We will keep evaluating these apps for you, our dear listeners, and report our observations so you can make informed choices.

Apple's HomePod speaker: Either way late or way early — Yahoo! Finance

Google’s Art Selfie App Not Working in Texas or Illinois? Thank Tricky Biometric Laws — Fast Company

Nuance Discontinues Swype Keyboard for iOS and Android — MacRumors

 

Apps & Gear: 

Real Fireplaces HD

Manything

Focos

Photo App for Portrait mode on iPhone 7 Plus, 8 Plus, X. Allison Sheridan did a screencast on this app.

Hiya Caller ID and Block

 

Contact: email us • like our Facebook page, tweet @InTouchwithiOS, @TheMacMommy or @daveg65

Meta: 022 Five Days with HomePod was recorded February 21, 2018. “Please Listen Carefully” by Jahzzar is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. “In Touch with iOS” is an independently produced podcast, publication and social identity and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. All other Apple Inc. trademarks discussed are the property of Apple Inc. A full list of Apple trademarks is available here. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc. We may use affiliate links for products in show notes. When appropriate, software, products, or services provided for review purposes will be disclosed. Unless otherwise noted, these products or services are not a sponsor. Your patronage helps to support our content production at no additional cost to you and does not alter our honest opinion of said product or service.