Episodes

  • iOS 758: Spring/Summer Cleaning Your Devices - Precision Cleaning Kit, Apple Configurator, & more!
    Jun 6 2025

    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 iOSToday@twit.tv.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • iOS 757: Apple Design Awards 2025 - CapWords, Feather, Taobao, & more!
    Jun 19 2025

    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

    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • iOS 756: WWDC 2025 - Apple unveils iOS 26 & iPadOS 26!
    Jun 12 2025

    Apple just dropped the biggest design overhaul since iOS 7, and hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive deep into everything announced at WWDC 2025, from the stunning "liquid glass" interface to game-changing iPad features that finally make it feel like a real computer.

    • Liquid Glass Interface - Biggest visual redesign in many years! Translucent elements, enhanced lighting effects, and improved visual hierarchy
    • Design Principles - Built around hierarchy, harmony, consistency, layering, depth, and vitality for a more expressive user experience
    • Visual Effects - Enhanced Control Center with peek-through background visibility and ghostly transparent aesthetic

    Apple Intelligence Levels Up

    • Live Translation - Real-time translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls running entirely on-device for privacy
    • Visual Intelligence Expansion - Now works with screenshots and integrates with third-party apps like Etsy for product searches
    • ChatGPT Integration - Enhanced Image Playground functionality with ChatGPT support across the platform

    Carplay & Music Updates

    • Message Improvements - Tapback support directly in CarPlay without needing CarPlay Ultra
    • Widgets Integration - CarPlay now supports widgets for enhanced navigation and app experiences
    • Apple Music Features - Auto Mix with crossfade and beat matching, plus lyric translation for foreign language songs

    Phone App Overhaul

    • Call Screening - System asks unknown callers for their name and reason before connecting you
    • Hold Assist - Automatically waits on hold and notifies when a human agent returns to call
    • Unified Interface - Streamlined call history and contact management in a single interface

    Gaming & Social Features

    • Apple Games App - New dedicated hub for Apple Arcade with recommendations and social "Play Together" features
    • Game Library - Comprehensive view of installed games with play history and activity tracking

    Messages Upgrades

    • Built-in Polling - Native poll creation with expandable voting options and visual participant tracking
    • Custom Backgrounds - Personalized chat backgrounds, including AI-generated options through Image Playground
    • Group Payments - Apple Cash support for splitting expenses in group chats
    • Smart Filtering - Automatic separation of unknown sender messages into a dedicated folder

    Apple Watch Enhancements

    • Gesture Controls - New wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications and return to watch face
    • Configurable Widgets - Enhanced customization options for watch complications and widgets
    • Integration Features - Seamless connection with iPhone's hold assist and other new iOS features

    Accessibility Advances

    • System-wide Reader - Enhanced reading experience across all apps and interfaces
    • Braille Improvements - Better support for connected Braille displays on iPhone
    • Enhanced Features - Updates to Live Listen, background sounds, and Personal Voice capabilities

    iPadOS 26

    • Mac-Style Windows - Red, yellow, green window control buttons finally come to iPad
    • Default Apps - Set specific applications to open different file types automatically
    • Preview App - New system app for viewing and annotating PDFs and images
    • Folder Customization - Color-coded folder system across Files app (also coming to Mac)
    • Background Processing - Computationally intensive tasks can run in the background

    Shor

    These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today/episodes/756

    Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • iOS 755: Planning a Day Out - Please Don't Rain, Mercury Weather, Citymapper, & more
    Jun 5 2025

    Ready to make your next day out absolutely perfect? Mikah and Rosemary share their favorite apps and strategies for planning the ultimate outdoor adventure, from weather tracking to transit navigation and everything in between.

    • Please Don't Rain - Rosemary showcases this specialized weather app designed for theme park visits and outdoor activities, featuring location-specific rain forecasts and customizable measurement units for international travelers
    • Fantastical - Mikah explains how this premium calendar app provides 10-day weather forecasts directly within your schedule, making it easy to plan events around weather conditions
    • Mercury Weather - Advanced weather app with trip planning features that automatically adjusts forecasts based on your travel destinations, plus widget support for seamless integration
    • WidgetSmith - David Smith's popular widget creation tool gets highlighted for its countdown timers and custom widgets that help keep upcoming events and trips front-of-mind on your home screen
    • Apple Maps Custom Guides - Creating and sharing location guides for group trips
    • CityMapper - Comprehensive look at the ultimate public transportation app, covering everything from platform positioning to accessibility options and multi-modal journey planning across walking, cycling, and transit
    • Pedometer++ - Rosemary shares real-world examples from her Glasgow trip (28,000+ steps!) and explains how tracking your daily activity can help you understand why you're exhausted after big days out

    News

    • Capsule Medication Tracker - Rosemary announces her new collaboration with Snailed It on a medication tracking app that's more user-friendly than Apple Health, featuring customizable notifications, privacy options, and support for tracking medications for family members and pets! Capsule isn't quite ready yet, but we invite everyone to join the TestFlight in the meantime!

    App Caps

    • Secure Shellfish - SSH client app for iOS that enables server access and file management, particularly useful for managing home servers like Homebridge setups with Files app integration
    • Finch - Tamagotchi-style app that gamifies self-care and habit building by letting you care for a virtual pet that grows stronger as you complete real-world goals and tasks

    Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

    Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • iOS 754: Document Editors - Apps for editing PDF files on iOS!
    May 29 2025

    Document editors take center stage as Mikah and Rosemary show viewers the best apps for editing PDFs and plain text files on iOS devices. The hosts emphasize practical solutions for common document editing needs while showcasing both free built-in tools and premium third-party options for power users.

    • Built-in PDF tool in Notes - Demonstrates how to attach PDFs to Notes documents, use Quick Look for basic annotation, highlighting, and form filling, plus collaborative editing features
    • PDF Expert - Rosemary showcases advanced PDF editing capabilities including text editing, image replacement, adding clickable links to table of contents, redaction tools, and custom stamps
    • Documents - Mikah highlights the comprehensive file management app with PDF tools, conversion options, page management, form filling, and multi-cloud storage integration
    • Textastic - Rosemary gets technical with this specialized plain text editor supporting syntax highlighting for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and other programming languages, plus SSH terminal access and live preview features

    News

    • WWDC 2025 announcement - Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference runs June 9-13, with keynote streaming available and exclusive Club TWiT live coverage planned for members

    Shortcuts Corner

    • Follow-up from episode 751 - Dave from Ohio shares success creating an Apple TV remote shortcut button for his iPhone home screen using Rosemary's previous tutorial

    App Caps

    • Wipr 2 - Simple, effective Safari content blocker that blocks ads and trackers without overwhelming features, created by solo developer Kaylee Calderolla
    • Tatami - Addictive number puzzle game where players connect numbered blocks in lines and rectangles, free to play with $4.99 unlock option, also by developer Kaylee Calderolla

    Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

    Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    40 mins
  • iOS 753: Voice Tools - Voice Memos, Notes recordings, & more
    May 22 2025

    Discover powerful voice recording and transcription apps that can transform how you capture ideas, take notes, and create content on your Apple devices. Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard explore essential voice tools while sharing exciting news about CarPlay Ultra's debut in Aston Martin vehicles.

    • Voice Memos app - Built into iOS with live transcription capabilities, allowing users to record, edit, search transcripts, and enhance audio quality with features like silence skipping.
    • Just Press Record - Popular third-party app offering automatic transcription in multiple languages, customizable file formats, and the ability to share recordings as text, audio, or video.
    • Ferrite Recording Studio - Professional-grade podcast production tool for iPhone and iPad with multi-track editing, effects, automation, and advanced audio manipulation capabilities.
    • Otter - Voice transcription service that has evolved to include enterprise features like AI summaries, meeting integrations with Zoom and Teams, and action item extraction.
    • Notes app recording feature - Built-in audio recording in Apple's Notes app that synchronizes with typed or handwritten notes, providing searchable transcriptions.

    News

    • CarPlay Ultra announced - Apple's next-generation car interface is debuting in Aston Martin vehicles with support for instrument clusters and customizable displays; coming soon to Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. The new CarPlay Ultra works with devices as old as iPhone 12 running iOS 18.5, making the technology accessible to more users.

    Shortcuts Corner

    • New Shortcuts features in iOS 18.4 - Latest update includes actions for Clock app (add/remove cities), Messages app (open specific conversations), and settings controls for various apps.
    • Safari settings shortcuts - New ability to toggle pop-up blocking, change search engines, and adjust tab behavior through shortcuts, allowing customized browser experiences.
    • Creating profiles - Using the new settings shortcuts to create pseudo-profiles for different contexts like work and personal use on iOS and iPadOS

    App Caps

    • Partiful - Free event planning app with features like date polling, RSVP tracking, photo sharing, playlist integration, and "chip in" payment options for collecting money from attendees.
    • Moft Dynamic Folio - iPad case offering several viewing angles with innovative folding design, available for multiple iPad models and starting around $40.

    Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

    Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • iOS 752: Print Out Your Photos - Social Print Studio, Shutterfly, Mpix, & more
    May 15 2025

    Looking to transform your iPhone photos into tangible keepsakes? Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard explore various apps and services that help you print your digital photos in different formats, from traditional prints to magnets, books, and even wine glasses!

    • Social Print Studio - A versatile app offering various print options including photo magnets with water-resistant coating and classic square prints on archival paper
    • Mpix - Features integration with the Mac Photos app and offers a Print Club subscription
    • Google Photos Premium Print Series - $7/month for 10 4x6 prints that Google selects from your library, with option to have postcard-style backs for mailing
    • Shutterfly - Best for bulk printing and uniquely customized items like photo water bottles and wine glasses, though print quality may not be as high as other services
    • Boots Photo - The app for the UK pharmacy store, where users can obtain their printed pictures

    Shortcuts Corner

    • A user named DiAnna requested help moving the last word of ebook filenames to the front, and Rosemary created a shortcut solution without using regular expressions!

    App Caps

    • Rosemary's pick: Eco-Worthy 12-volt foldable solar panel (100W) - A portable, waterproof solar panel for camping that can recharge battery packs like Jackery, with adjustable angles and no magnetic connectors
    • Mikah's pick: Days - An event countdown app that creates customizable widgets for upcoming events with photo backgrounds, different font styles, and countdown formats that can display in days or hours

    Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

    Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • iOS 751: Video Editing on iPhone - Edits, CapCut, iMovie, & more
    May 8 2025

    Ready to transform your iPhone into a video editing studio? Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive into the best video editing apps available for iOS, comparing features from Meta's new Edits app to Apple's own offerings. Plus, discover Apple's new Snapshot website, handy shortcuts for Apple TV remotes, and power solutions for your next outdoor adventure.

    • Meta's Edits app - New social-focused video editor from Instagram that shot to #1 in the App Store; includes features like text overlay, captions, cutout effects, and direct sharing to social platforms
    • Apple Clips - Apple's free social video editor offering multiple aspect ratios, poster templates, effects, filters, and live subtitles with an easy-to-use interface
    • iMovie - The classic video editing solution with the "Magic Movie" feature that automatically creates professional-looking videos from selected photos and clips with various style templates
    • CapCut - Popular social video editor mentioned as an alternative option, though it comes with pricey subscription plans

    News

    • Apple Snapshot - Apple launched a new website (snapshot.apple.com) that creates hub pages for artists, actors, and athletes, showing where they appear across Apple platforms like Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Apple Podcasts

    Shortcuts Corner

    • Apple TV Remote Shortcut - Rosemary demonstrates how to create a simple one-action shortcut to add the Apple TV remote directly to your iPhone home screen
    • Close Safari Tabs Shortcut - A three-action shortcut that finds and closes all Safari tabs containing a specific URL, perfect for clearing out accumulated tabs after shopping or research

    App Cap

    • Rosemary's Pick: Jackery Explorer 240 v2 - A 256Wh portable power station perfect for camping, power outages, or charging devices on the go with USB-C, USB-A, and AC power output options
    • Mikah's Pick: Puffies - An addictive Apple Arcade game where players reconstruct sticker sheets by placing cutout stickers in their correct positions, with daily challenges and different themed packs

    Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

    Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    44 mins