iOS Today (Video)

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 [email protected].

Hello there iOS Today watchers, we've got a bit of news for you about the show. From now on, we're going to be releasing all episodes of iOS Today as audio-only in these public feeds. So, that's right, you can now easily access all episodes, audio-only, in your favorite podcast app.

Now, don't worry if you are all about watching videos like this one, we've still got you covered...it's just via Club TWiT. This change is part of our plan to, of course, grow and enhance our club.

If you haven't joined yet, now is a great time to hop on board. It's just $7 a month ($84 for an entire year). Just head over to https://twit.tv/clubtwit to sign up. And, of course, your support means the world to us!

So if you want video, head over to https://twit.tv/clubtwit for the iOS Today video, otherwise audio will continue to be available to you.

Thanks!

In this episode of iOS Today, Rosemary Orchard and special guest James Thomson dive deep into the world of indie app development, exploring Thomson's popular apps, PCalc and Dice by PCalc, and uncovering some hidden Easter eggs.

• James' Journey into App Development: Thomson's path began with an interest in video games and led to the creation of his first app, a calculator, in 1992.
• Evolution of PCalc and Dice: Discussion on how these apps have adapted and evolved across different Apple platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Mac.
• Privacy in App Development: Thomson emphasizes the importance of user privacy and avoiding analytics that could inadvertently collect sensitive information.
• 3D Technology and App Development: Exploration of how experimenting with 3D graphics led to the creation of Dice, a dice-rolling app for tabletop gaming.
• Educational and Professional Use Cases: How PCalc has been adopted in schools.
• Shortcuts Corner - HomeKit Automation: Practical advice on creating an automation that integrates HomeKit devices with Shortcuts for enhanced home security.

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 [email protected].

You know what's great about a new year? The opportunity to start again. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some great apps and services to help you learn new skills or brush up on skills you've left behind. The two also discuss Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset and the company's potential antitrust concerns in the EU and US.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Club TWiT members can discuss episodes in the Club TWiT Discord.

You can contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to [email protected].

On this, the first Club TWiT episode of iOS Today, Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of the best apps they used in 2023. The two also provide an update on the Apple Watch ban, remind Apple Card Savings account users about the 1099 IRS tax form, and briefly discuss Microsoft's new Copilot app.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Club TWiT members can discuss episodes in the Club TWiT Discord.

You can contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to [email protected].

A quick check-in and reminder for iOS Today listeners: Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent will return from the holiday hiatus on January 4, 2024. iOS Today will be available as part of your Club TWiT membership. The co-hosts share some details on Club TWiT and remind you how to keep up with the show in 2024.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Club TWiT members can discuss episodes in the Club TWiT Discord.

Hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard announce that, starting January 4, 2023, iOS Today will move from an ad-supported show to a member-exclusive Club TWiT show. The two discuss details of Club TWiT membership benefits, subscription costs, how iOS Today will and won't be changing, and how supporters can keep iOS Today up and running.

Join us at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Club TWiT members can discuss episodes in the Club TWiT Discord.

The Journal app has officially made its way to iOS devices. Dan Moren joins Mikah Sargent to talk about the new features in iOS 17.2.

• Journal App
• Siri can now help users access and log their Health app data
• iMessage Contact Key Verification
• Apple introduces spatial video capture on iPhone 15 Pro
• Apple Music 'Favorites' playlist
• Default Notification Sounds
• "Catch-Up Arrow" in Messages
• Sticker Reactions in Messages
• AirDrop Wallet Passes
• Action Button gets Translate option
• Improved focusing speed on Telephoto camera
• Qi2 charging support for iPhone 13 & iPhone 14
  
  News
• Apple officially delays two remaining iOS 17 features to 2024
• 'Beeper Mini' was blocked by Apple; it's back
• Exclusive: Apple offers to let rivals access tap-and-go tech in EU antitrust case
• Push notification data used to investigate Capitol rioters
  
  Feedback & Questions
• Khan needs help changing the volume of alarms on an iPhone while still maintaining the volume for other alerts and notifications.
• Nate shares a story about using FaceTime on Apple TV for getting in touch with a relative during the holidays.
  
  App Caps
• Dan's App Cap: Elfster

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today.

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

You can contribute to iOS Today by leaving us a voicemail at 757-504-iPad(757-504-4723) or sending an email to [email protected].

Sponsors:

• mylio.com/TWIT25
• cachefly.com/twit

Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of their favorite reference apps for iPhone and iPad.

• Google Translate
• Translate text, voice, and conversations on iPhone
• CoinSnap: Coin Identifier
• Look up words in Pages on iPhone
• Terminology Dictionary
• Night Sky
• Visual Look Up Look up what's in a photo with your iPhone or iPad
• Wikipedia
• Wikipanion
• wikiHow
• IMDb
• Callsheet: Find Cast & Crew
  
  News
• Zoom, ExpressVPN come to the Apple TV App Store
• Apple Podcasts names Wiser Than Me the 2023 Show of the Year
• Newport Beach business plants Apple AirTags in merchandise, nabs suspected thief
• Apple marks World AIDS Day with (RED)
• Apple Releases Taika Waititi-Directed Film Promoting Speech Accessibility Tools
  
  Feedback & Questions
• Alex wonders if there's a way to use the iPhone's camera with an iPad.
• Robert doesn't have any questions, but instead pays the pet tax ... twice!
  
  App Caps
• Rosemary's App Cap: truefree O1 Open Ear Headphones
• Mikah's App Cap: Chptr - Remember Them Forever

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today.

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

You can contribute to iOS Today by leaving us a voicemail at 757-504-iPad(757-504-4723) or sending an email to [email protected].

Sponsors:

• securemyemail.com/twit Use Code TWIT
• mylio.com/TWIT25

The holidays are here! Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of their favorite apps and services to help you plan and celebrate the holiday season.

• Elfster: The Secret Santa App
• GiftKeeper - Gift Idea Manager
• Parcel - Delivery Tracking
• Shop: package & order tracker
• Apple Wallet!
• The Christmas Card List
• ElfYourself
• Easy Cooking Timer
• Crouton: Cooking Companion
• Paprika Recipe Manager 3
  
  News
• Apple Music Replay '23
• Apple Books Launches New 'Year in Review' Feature
• Apple reveals the most popular podcasts of 2023 — with the return of an old favorite
• iOS 17's NameDrop feature for iPhone: How it works and why it's not a privacy threat
• Three new Ikea sensors for under $10 each; Matter support promised for hub
  
  Shortcuts Corner
• Graeme is looking for an automation to enable Zoom when an iPhone is disconnected from a charger and disable Zoom when it's reconnected to a charger.
  
  Feedback & Questions
• Kenny wants help blocking spam texts on an iPhone.
  
  App Caps
• Rosemary's App Cap: Browser Note
• Mikah's App Cap: Newji: make anything an emoji

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today.

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

You can contribute to iOS Today by leaving us a voicemail at 757-504-iPad(757-504-4723) or sending an email to [email protected].

Sponsors:

• mylio.com/TWIT25
• Traceroute Podcast