iOS Today (Audio)

By TWiTTechnology

iOS Today (Audio) episodes

June 13, 2024iOS 707: iOS 18 Core Features - The Game-Changing Features You Need to Know
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 [email protected].
50 min
June 06, 2024 iOS 706: Tools for your iPhone & iPad - Simple Scan, Discovery, Text Workflow, Elsewhen, Tally
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 [email protected].
53 min
May 30, 2024 iOS 705: Upgrade Your iOS Widgets - Sleep++, Fantastical, Cloud Battery, Peak, CARROT Weather
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 [email protected].
53 min
May 23, 2024 iOS 704: Apple's New M4 iPad Pro - Shiny new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil Pro, & Magic Keyboard
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 [email protected].
53 min
May 16, 2024iOS 703: Safari Extensions Worth Downloading - 1Blocker, Browser Note, Keyword Search
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 [email protected].
48 min
May 09, 2024iOS 702: Apple's May 2024 iPad Event - iPad Air with M2, iPad Pro with M4, Apple Pencil Pro
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 [email protected].
57 min
May 02, 2024 iOS 701: Silly Games for iPhone & iPad - Mini Metro, Dumb Ways to Die 4, Snake.io+
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 [email protected].
50 min
April 25, 2024 iOS 700: Apple News: What You Need To Know - Learn to use the News app on iPhone
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 [email protected].
36 min
April 18, 2024iOS 699: Great Adventures With iOS - AllTrails, First Aid, OS Maps, Guru Maps, National Trust
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 [email protected].
49 min
April 11, 2024 iOS 698: Using Your iPhone Apps Offline - Apple Music, Spotify, Kindle, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple Arcade
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 [email protected].
49 min

About iOS Today (Audio)

From the publisher's feed

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.

Submit your Apple device and shortcut queries through email at [email protected] or via TWiT's social media. You might hear your question answered on the show!

You can join Club TWiT for $10 per 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 $5 per month.