iOS Today (Audio)

This week, the hosts get hands-on with their favorite "chill" apps and say why subtle design choices, like haptic feedback and story-driven gameplay, make all the difference in truly relaxing tech. Hear which picks have earned their spot as go-to digital escapes. Pigment and Lake: Adult coloring book apps for iPad Coloring ASMR app for quick relaxation on the go Loner: Minimalist zen flying game with soothing visuals Satisgame: Quick, tactile puzzle app with haptic feedback Apple's sound therapy music and ambient background sounds Dark Noise and background sound customization for relaxation Flow Free+ game for puzzle-based relaxation App Cap: Marble Sort app for satisfying gameplay 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 Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Tired of notification overload, mystery badges, and apps that refuse to play nice? Rosemary and Mikah peel back the layers to reveal how to finally take charge of your alerts, your way. See the deeper controls, clever tricks, and more useful features that ca• Mastering iOS notification settings and privacy controls! Fine-tuning app notifications: swipes, options, and in-app settings iOS notification types: lock screen, banners, badges, and previews Customizing notification display: stack, list, and count views Exploring Apple Intelligence notification features and Siri Suggestions Scheduled Notification Summaries: batch alerts for less disruption Changing notification delivery on the fly News: Apple launches AirPods Max 2 with new H2 chip and features Shortcuts Corner: Removing unwanted bullets from reminders App Caps: NeatPass and Spigen Classic LS accessory cases. 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 Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: outsystems.com/twit

A lively breakdown of the new iPad Air M4's specs, performance jump, and who actually needs that power. Discussion of RAM, storage options, and whether the Air can replace a laptop with Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. Comparison of Air versus standard iPad and where it sits in Apple’s lineup. Quick takes on the new Studio Display models and a tidy cable-organization life hack.

A lively chat about the iPhone 17e’s doubled base storage, price parity, and who it’s actually for. Color and matte finish impressions focus on the new soft pink look. Discussion of A19 performance, Apple Intelligence support, and battery improvements. Debate over the single 48MP camera and whether MagSafe and safety features make this a strong budget pick.

They spotlight lesser-known iOS apps that solve everyday annoyances. Highlights include a Mastodon client, on-device Wallet pass creation from PDFs, and a reliable remote access tool. They also cover a customizable dice roller, a show-tracking app, quick product-cleaning gear, and a plane-identifying utility. Plus a segment on rumored Apple spring event speculation.

They compare phone-based party games and classic charades, weighing setup ease and audience fit. They spotlight chaotic cooperative titles like Spaceteam and Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. They demo Wavelength’s mind-reading mechanic and a hybrid physical-mobile game called Gogogo!. They also cover Apple Podcasts video streaming updates and practical app and accessory picks.

If you thought Safari extensions were just for desktop power users, this episode demonstrates the game-changing tools and side hustles available right on your iPhone! Managing Safari extensions on iOS: Settings, permissions, and cross-device syncing Efficiently disabling and enabling Safari extensions using the webpage menu Privacy concerns when installing Safari extensions and reviewing permissions Favorite Safari extensions: Wipr 2 for ad blocking Noir extension for customizable dark mode and theme creation in Safari StopTheMadness Pro fixes annoying web behaviors and context menu issues Keyword Search adds custom search shortcuts for Amazon, Apple Support, Google Drive Amplosion redirects Google AMP pages to original sources; Achoo inspects page HTML Pipifier makes web video picture-in-picture; reliability compared to other solutions App Caps: Picks include Xteink X4 e-ink reader and Fullscreen Clock for timers Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: shopify.com/ios

Stephen Robles, creator and educator on iPad workflows and Shortcuts, talks iPad multitasking and productivity. He covers Stage Manager setups and quirks, organizing apps into stages and keyboard shortcuts, when to prefer full-screen apps, Split View and Slide Over returning in iPadOS 26, Shortcuts automations for multitasking, Pushcut battery alerts across devices, and travel-router and hotel Wi‑Fi tips for creators.

Stephen Robles, smart-home commentator and Shortcuts University creator, walks through CES 2026 highlights. He showcases ultra-wideband smart locks, automated wood blinds, and Matter-powered device trends. Conversation covers occupancy versus motion sensors, ecosystem fragmentation, MOFT Find My MagSafe accessories, and Apple’s new AirTag 2. Shortcuts automation for conference credits is demoed.

Apple's new Creator Studio subscriptions are transforming creative workflows, offering tools like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro with exciting AI features. Discussed are the pricing options, student discounts, and the benefits of Family Sharing for up to five users. The hosts delve into how AI can enhance tools like Keynote and Final Cut, making presentations and editing more intuitive. They also address the transition of Pixelmator and Photomator, alongside listener feedback on device preferences. Plus, a fun shortcut for HAM radio enthusiasts!