Mikah and Rosemary visit the world of iPad accessories that can truly transform your tablet experience, from the game-changing Magic Keyboard to creative stands and essential styli that unlock your iPad's full potential!

Magic Keyboard & Physical Keyboards

• Apple Magic Keyboard - Premium keyboard case adds trackpad, extra USB-C charging port, and robust protection while transforming typing workflows
• Budget alternatives - Logitech Keys-to-Go and other Bluetooth keyboards offer function keys and media controls at lower price points
• Travel benefits - Bluetooth keyboards with media keys provide convenient remote control for video streaming and presentations

Customization & Protection

• Vinyl wraps - Slickwraps and dbrand offer protective skins in textures like carbon fiber, marble, leather effects, and retro designs
• Practical benefits - Wraps add grip, protection, and personalization while helping identify devices in groups

Apple Pencil Ecosystem

• Apple Pencil Pro - Latest model features squeeze gestures for tool palettes, barrel roll rotation, haptic feedback, hover detection, and Find My support
• Model comparison - Pro vs 2nd generation vs USB-C vs 1st generation, with varying features and price points

Stand Solutions

• Satechi aluminum desktop stand - Heavy-duty stand with cable management, dual orientation support, and flexible positioning from flat to upright
• Satechi hub stand - Premium desktop solution combining stand with 4K HDMI out, USB-A & USB-C ports, SD readers, and audio jack
• Twelve South HoverBar Duo - Versatile system with clamp and desktop bases, Apple Pencil storage, and robust articulating arm

Specialty Accessories

• Satechi Bluetooth remote - Compact media controller supporting PowerPoint, Keynote, streaming apps, and presentation software
• iPad cushion/pillow - UGREEN's washable lap cushion with multiple viewing angles, storage pockets, and ergonomic positioning

Shortcuts Corner

• Van's question - How to discover full folder paths in Save File shortcuts after creation, since interface only shows last selected location
• Mr. Met's inspiration - Wanted shortcut to open Safari's new tab page instead of getting distracted by previous tabs

App Cap

• Adobe Project Indigo - Beta computational photography app using multiple exposures for enhanced dynamic range and noise reduction
• PopSocket MagSafe Grips - Magnetic phone grips with easy attachment/removal and swappable tops

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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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.

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