January 2025
iOS & Apple news
Happy new year to all!
On Dec 11, Apple released iOS 18.2. Also, a minor update 18.2.1 has been released yesterday. Apple Intelligence now features Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools enhancements, seamless support for ChatGPT, and visual intelligence, announced Apple.
Apple Intelligence now features Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools enhancements, seamless support for ChatGPT, and visual intelligence, Apple announced.
Voice Memos update with iOS 18.2 brings Layered Recordings to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, announced Apple. `Voice Memos, a go-to app for musicians of all kinds, now offers iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max users the ability to layer a vocal track on top of an existing instrumental recording — without the need for headphones. With iOS 18.2, users will be able to play their original instrumental ideas through the iPhone speaker while simultaneously recording vocals using the new studio-quality microphones on iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.' See the example Apple created, with `A trio of GRAMMY Award winners — multiplatinum entertainer Michael Bublé, country star Carly Pearce, and record producer Greg Wells', who teamed up to bring their new track “Maybe This Christmas” to life with Voice Memos on iPhone 16 Pro.'
As expected, iOS 18.2’s new Find My feature now supported by these major airlines
An overview of all the features included in iOS 18.2.
Everything you should know about Image Playground, a guide by Macrumors.
Here are some examples of genmoji and images created by Olga using Genmoji and Image Playground:
Apple told BBC News that Apple Intelligence Update Will Add Clarification to Prevent Fake Headline Confusion. `Apple Intelligence features are in beta and we are continuously making improvements with the help of user feedback. A software update in the coming weeks will further clarify when the text being displayed is summarization provided by Apple Intelligence. We encourage users to report a concern if they view an unexpected notification summary.'
If you don't want to use some AI features, you can disable them.
Apple says Siri data has ‘never been used’ for marketing profiles or ‘sold to anyone for any purpose’ .
Apple's full statement: `Siri has been engineered to protect user privacy from the beginning. Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles and it has never been sold to anyone for any purpose. Apple settled this case to avoid additional litigation so we can move forward from concerns about third-party grading that we already addressed in 2019. We use Siri data to improve Siri, and we are constantly developing technologies to make Siri even more private.'
Apple’s Medical ID feature helps man return iPhone lost at sea to its owner, reports 9to5mac. The owner lost the phone on New Year’s Eve and it was underwater for four days.
Apple has released Shazam Fast Forward 2025, a new site that uses Shazam to Predict 50 Breakthrough Music Artists This Year.
Apple Fitness+ unveiled `an exciting lineup of new ways to stay active and mindful in 2025', announced Apple. Offerings include new programs for strength, pickleball, yoga, and breath meditation, and a new collaboration with Strava. Here more info on Apple Fitness+, and a preview of Strength, Endurance, and Agility for Pickleball.
Question from one of our iPUG members: Do you know anyone who wants to sell a large iPad?
iOS apps
Tot is a very lean notes app. It works on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. You get 7 notes only. You can use them as a scratch space for whatever text info you want to have easily at your fingertips. For example, the way you would use a sticky note to jot something down, or to carry a few quotes, or to take notes at a meeting, to jot down some to-do's or some bulletized list, a quick PIN code, or anything else. It is free and with unlimited features on for macOS. If you also want it on iOS, it is $20.
Looking for a simple podcast app? There are many, but one to consider: Neuecast.
tips & tricks
3 tips for your iPhone, by MKB. Did you used to know about these features and forgot? Did you know they have been there a while? Either way, these are great to know and use.
gadgets & accessories
A whimsical Apple Watch Charger Stand, on Etsy.
Satechi has just unveiled new essential OntheGo collection for 2025, reports 9to5Mac.
Schlage just unveiled its new Schlage Sense Pro Smart Deadbolt, supporting Matter-over-Thread and Ultra Wideband. `Today at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Schlage unveiled its new Schlage Sense Pro Smart Deadbolt, marking the company’s first Ultra Wideband-enabled smart lock, complete with support for Matter-over-Thread.'
AI
5 Helpful Uses for Apple Intelligence on Mac, iPhone, & iPad, reports OSXDaily.
How to get webpage summaries on iOS.
How to Summarize Webpages in Safari for Mac, reports OSXDaily.
Apple reminds us that AI can help your tone:
next iPUG
Our next iPUG meeting will be Tuesday, February 4, at 7 pm AZ Time.