iOS 668: Our Most Used Shortcuts - How We Automate iOS for Work and Life

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].

iOS 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].

iOS 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].

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].

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].