Rosemary and Mikah show you how to empower your Shortcuts with third-party apps. If the Shortcuts app, alone, won't do what you need, there's probably a third-party app for that! 
Toolbox Pro for Shortcuts
Data Jar
HomeBot for Shortcuts
Jayson
WidgetPack
Shortcutify
  
News 
Apple releases iOS 14.7.1 with fix for Apple Watch unlock bug, more
Anker expands PowerWave lineup with its very first MagSafe charger car mount
Researchers Struggle to Use Apple Watch in Studies Due to Sudden Algorithm Changes
Apple Says Don't Buy AirTag Replacement Batteries With Bitter Coating
iOS 15 to Limit Siri Functionality With Third-Party Apps
Speck unveils four new AirTags cases including carabiner, luggage tag, more
  
Shortcuts Corner 
Mikah asks for help setting up a timer Shortcut for washing his clothes and a Timezone Shortcut for determining the current time of specific people in his life.
Kolecki asks for help pausing music playback.
  
Feedback 
James is curious about default apps on iOS.
  
App Caps 
Rosemary's App Cap: Directive - Maintenance App
Mikah's App Cap: Sofa: Downtime Organizer
 
Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard 
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iOS 560: Make Shortcuts More Powerful With These Apps - Toolbox Pro, Data Jar, HomeBot, Jayson, and more

Join Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent for iOS Today, TWiT.tv's podcast for all things iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and more! From app reviews to helpful tips and tricks, from the latest news to the coolest accessories, Rosemary and Mikah will help you make the most of all your iOS devices. You can join Club TWiT for $7 a month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $2.99 a month.

New episodes every Thursday.

Technology

Tech News

Podcasting

Gadgets

Software How-To

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.

iOS 703: Safari Extensions Worth Downloading - 1Blocker, Browser Note, Keyword Search

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.

iOS 702: Apple's May 2024 iPad Event - iPad Air with M2, iPad Pro with M4, Apple Pencil Pro

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.

iOS 701: Silly Games for iPhone & iPad - Mini Metro, Dumb Ways to Die 4, Snake.io+

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.

iOS 700: Apple News: What You Need To Know - Learn to use the News app on iPhone

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.

iOS 560: Make Shortcuts More Powerful With These Apps - Toolbox Pro, Data Jar, HomeBot, Jayson, and more

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