iOS Today (Video)

• iOS 763: Custom Keyboards - Exploring Snippety and Other Third-Party Alternatives

  Custom keyboards take center stage as Mikah and Rosemary explore the surprisingly small but mighty world of third-party iOS keyboards, from snippet management to AI-powered writing assistance, plus listener feedback on AirPods cleaning and some delightful app picks. Snippety keyboard ($29.99) - Rosemary demonstrates this powerful snippet management keyboard with collections, search functionality, rich formatting options, and advanced features like JavaScript snippets with placeholders and multi-select menus Bitmoji keyboard (free) - Mikah showcases this fun cartoon avatar keyboard that creates personalized messages and can include friends who also use Bitmoji, though he notes the unsettling 3D redesign Microsoft SwiftKey AI keyboard - Rosemary highlights its reliability during iOS beta issues, easy-to-spot emoji button, built-in paste functionality, GIF search, and translator feature, plus Copilot AI integration for enterprise users Grammarly AI Writing keyboard - Overview of grammar and writing improvement features, tone suggestions, vocabulary enhancements, and rewriting capabilities for professional communication Feedback AirPods cleaning kit question from Gregg - Detailed explanation of the Belkin AirPods cleaning kit, featuring distilled water and micellar water that breaks down oils and earwax using micelles that attract fats and dirt App Caps Rosemary's pick: PopSocket MagSafe Stand ($40) - New MagSafe PopSocket that doubles as a phone stand with swappable decorative tops, though she warns against overly symmetrical patterns that make you obsess over alignment Mikah's pick: Pet Libro water fountain - Smart pet fountain with inductive charging base, built-in scale for tracking water consumption, alternating 15-minute cycles (perfect for anxious dogs), Wi-Fi connectivity, and foreign object detection Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Want access to the ad-free video 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.

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• iOS 762: Safari Extensions - Wipr, GoodLinks, Hush, & more

  Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive deep into Safari extensions that can improve how you browse the web on iOS and iPadOS. From blocking annoying ads and cookie prompts to creating custom search shortcuts and saving articles for later reading, these browser add-ons turn Safari into a swiss army knife of functionality. Wipr - A simple, effective ad blocker that works silently in the background without multiple extension instances cluttering your Safari menu, making it ideal for less tech-savvy users like elderly relatives Keyword Search - Creates custom search shortcuts using semicolons and keywords to search specific websites directly from the address bar, perfect for frequently searched sites like Apple Support or AP Stylebook GoodLinks - Save articles for offline reading later with support for paywall login credentials, allowing you to build a personal reading library that syncs across devices Browser Note - Add digital sticky notes to specific web pages that appear whenever you revisit them, perfect for remembering discount codes, login preferences, or shopping reminders Hush Nag Blocker - Specifically targets and removes cookie consent banners and privacy prompts without using third-party dependencies or tracking user behavior Printer Friendly for Safari - Edit web pages before printing by removing unwanted sections like headers, footers, and ads to save ink and paper while creating cleaner printouts Share Tabs for Safari - Export lists of open browser tabs with titles and URLs for easy sharing with others, eliminating the need to manually copy multiple links URL Linker for Safari - Format shared links in specific styles like markdown or plain text with customizable formatting options News Apple News Plus Emoji Game - New puzzle game available to News Plus subscribers where players decode emoji combinations to fill in word blanks, joining existing games like Crossword and Quartiles Shortcuts Corner Podcast Reminder Shortcut - Kevin's request for creating Apple Reminders from podcast episodes gets solved with a shortcut that captures both episode titles and URLs, with built-in artwork display when URLs are properly formatted App Caps Endel - AI-powered soundscape app that adapts background music based on time and location, featuring new ADHD-focused modes including Solfeggio tones, 8D audio, and binaural beats for improved focus Lock your Notes on iPhone - Built-in iOS feature allowing users to lock specific notes with Face ID or passcode protection, perfect for sensitive information like payment details or secret gift ideas Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Want access to the ad-free video 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.

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• iOS 761: Screen Time Controls - Downtime, Communication Safety, & more

  This episode explores the comprehensive Screen Time system in iOS, covering everything from basic usage tracking to advanced restrictions and parental controls. The hosts also tackle a unique automation challenge involving motorcycles and garage doors, while sharing their latest app and gadget discoveries. Screen Time Overview - Introduction to iOS's built-in digital wellness system that tracks usage across all Apple devices and syncs settings when enabled Screen Distance Feature - New safety feature that alerts users when holding their iPhone or iPad too close to their face, helping prevent eye strain and myopia App and Website Activity - Detailed tracking system that provides weekly reports and insights about screen usage patterns across all connected devices Downtime Scheduling - Feature that restricts device access to only approved apps and phone calls during specified hours, perfect for sleep schedules App Limits - Granular controls allowing users to set daily time limits for specific apps or entire categories like games or social media Always Allowed Apps - Designated apps that remain accessible even during downtime, including emergency contacts and essential utilities Communication Controls - Settings that manage who can contact the user during screen time restrictions and downtime periods Communication Safety - Apple's new feature that automatically detects and warns about potentially inappropriate images before they're viewed Content and Privacy Restrictions - Comprehensive parental controls covering app installations, purchases, web content, and various iOS features Feedback Motorcycle Garage Door Automation - Mike seeks help creating a shortcut to automatically open his garage door when arriving home on his motorcycle App Caps DailyArt App - Mikah recommends an award-winning app that showcases a different piece of artwork each day with detailed historical context and artist information 8BitDo Micro Controller - Rosemary features a tiny Bluetooth game controller that works with multiple devices and can be reprogrammed for various uses, including Procreate shortcuts Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Want access to the ad-free video 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.

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• iOS 758: Spring/Summer Cleaning Your Devices - Precision Cleaning Kit, Apple Configurator, & more!

  Spring cleaning in the summer? Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard roll up their sleeves to tackle both physical and digital device maintenance, sharing expert tips for getting your Apple gear spotless inside and out. Physical iPhone cleaning - Apple's official recommendations for safe disinfecting using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and Clorox wipes, while avoiding bleach and hydrogen peroxide that can damage device coatings Specialized cleaning tools - iFixit's Precision Cleaning Kit featuring tiny brushes, foam-tipped swabs, and contact cleaner for getting into speaker grills and ports Digital decluttering - MacPaw's app CleanMyPhone uses AI to find duplicate photos, similar shots, and organize camera rolls while supporting Ukrainian developers Mass app deletion strategy - Using Apple Configurator to quickly remove unused apps in bulk, with Rosemary demonstrating how she went from 827 apps to a more manageable number AirPods deep cleaning - Apple's specific instructions for cleaning earwax buildup using micellar water and distilled water to break down waxes without damaging the mesh speakers Case and accessory maintenance - Importance of removing iPhone cases regularly to clean both the device and case interior, plus organizing charging cables in labeled mesh bags Cable management and recycling - Tips for checking cable condition, proper storage solutions, and donating old chargers to homeless shelters for those still using older devices News Control Center transparency - Apple reduced the transparency to minimize distractions while maintaining the glass aesthetic Safari interface tweaks - Tab bar repositioned to the bottom for better usability after user feedback App Store accessibility section - New feature allowing developers to specify supported accessibility features on product pages Enhanced Wallet tracking - Siri can now scan emails for package tracking from any merchant, not just Apple Pay purchases Call transcription updates - Feature renamed to "save call transcripts" with clearer notifications that all participants will be informed before recording begins Feedback VoiceOver PDF accessibility - Johnny, a blind user, seeks alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for filling PDF forms, highlighting ongoing accessibility issues with major software companies and poorly designed PDF forms Shortcuts Corner HomeKit automation limitations - Bjorn's question about combining multiple triggers (window open/close) into single automations reveals fundamental HomeKit restrictions that require separate automations for each trigger Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Want access to the ad-free video 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.

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• iOS 757: Apple Design Awards 2025 - CapWords, Feather, Taobao, & more!

  Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard go over Apple's 2025 Design Award winners, exploring groundbreaking apps that showcase the best of Apple's platforms. From AI-powered language learning tools to visually stunning adventure games, these winners represent the pinnacle of mobile innovation and design excellence.Delight and Fun Category CapWords - Revolutionary language learning app that transforms everyday objects into interactive stickers, supporting nine languages with AI-powered photo recognition Balatro - Award-winning poker-inspired deck builder that cleverly teaches poker fundamentals while delivering addictive gameplay across multiple platforms Innovation Category Play - Developer-focused app enabling interactive SwiftUI prototype creation with seamless cross-device syncing between iPhone and Mac PBJ, the Musical - Quirky Shakespeare adaptation telling Romeo and Juliet with condiments as characters, featuring original soundtracks and creative storytelling Interaction Category Taobao - Pioneering Apple Vision Pro shopping experience with photorealistic 3D models allowing users to visualize furniture and products in their actual spaces DREDGE - Atmospheric horror fishing adventure with seamless gameplay continuity across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms Inclusivity Category Speechify - Accessibility-focused text-to-speech app supporting 50+ languages and hundreds of voices, designed for users with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision Art of Fauna - Beautiful wildlife puzzle game featuring vintage-style artwork with full voiceover support and innovative block-based puzzle mechanics Social Impact Category Watch Duty - Critical wildfire tracking app providing real-time evacuation updates and emergency information faster than traditional services Neva - Emotionally resonant adventure game exploring environmental themes through the relationship between a girl and her wolf companion Visuals and Graphics Category Feather - Intuitive iPad app enabling users to transform 2D designs into stunning 3D models using touch and Apple Pencil interactions Infinity Nikki - Visually spectacular open-world adventure game featuring magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and breathtaking rendering quality Shortcuts Corner New "Use Model" action in Shortcuts enables cloud, local, or ChatGPT model integration for AI-powered automation Apple's Shortcuts Gallery now features dedicated Apple Intelligence examples including leftover recipe generation and PDF summarization App Caps Mikah's Pick: Gigapixel AI-powered photo upscaling app that enhances image resolution and quality using sophisticated machine learning models Features standard and low-res enhancement modes plus specialized face recovery for portrait photographs Particularly useful for printing older photos or enlarging images without quality loss Rosemary's Pick: Dark Noise Premium white noise app enabling custom sound mixing with extensive library of ambient sounds Supports audio layering with other apps, iCloud sync across devices, and Siri Shortcuts integration Includes whimsical features like "unnamed goose mode" and developer-friendly privacy controls These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today/episodes/757 Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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