iOS 692: Easter Eggs in PCalc & Dice - Interview With James Thomson

Rosemary is joined once again by developer James Thomson to discuss developing apps for Apple's new Vision Pro mixed reality headset. James provides insights from his experiences creating 3D interfaces and porting his apps like PCalc to Vision Pro. They explore the device's potential, current app ecosystem, and challenges around personalizing the headset for multiple users.

• James shares the backstory of the silly 3D "Easter egg" he created years ago in the PCalc About screen
• Porting the 2D PCalc app to Vision Pro vs. bringing his 3D dice app experience to the new platform using RealityKit
• Potential challenges if the Vision Pro fails to gain a critical mass of users and developers
• Comparisons to the iPhone and Watch launches - will a lower cost "Vision SE" be needed?
• The personal customizability of Vision Pro hardware to each user's eyes/face and subsequent challenges for device sharing
• Discussion of early rental services popping up in China to allow people to try before buying
• Excitement for the evolution of visuals and "holodeck" experiences

Feedback

• Bill asks if there's a suitable mount for holding iPhones on top of flat TVs

Shortcuts Corner

• Dickie asks Rosemary how he can downsize batches of images into a new standardized folder without resizing already-small files.

Host: Rosemary Orchard

Guest: James Thomson

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

In this episode of iOS Today, Rosemary Orchard and special guest James Thomson dive deep into the world of indie app development, exploring Thomson's popular apps, PCalc and Dice by PCalc, and uncovering some hidden Easter eggs.

• James' Journey into App Development: Thomson's path began with an interest in video games and led to the creation of his first app, a calculator, in 1992.
• Evolution of PCalc and Dice: Discussion on how these apps have adapted and evolved across different Apple platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Mac.
• Privacy in App Development: Thomson emphasizes the importance of user privacy and avoiding analytics that could inadvertently collect sensitive information.
• 3D Technology and App Development: Exploration of how experimenting with 3D graphics led to the creation of Dice, a dice-rolling app for tabletop gaming.
• Educational and Professional Use Cases: How PCalc has been adopted in schools.
• Shortcuts Corner - HomeKit Automation: Practical advice on creating an automation that integrates HomeKit devices with Shortcuts for enhanced home security.

Host: Rosemary Orchard

Guest: James Thomson

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

iOS 17.4 includes a whole host of changes and features for your iPhone. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share what you can expect, including new emoji, Apple Podcasts transcripts, game streaming apps, Stolen Device Protection improvements, and more.

• Apple Podcasts Transcripts: https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/apple-is-bringing-auto-transcripts-for-podcasts-in-ios-174
• SharePlay for HomePod/Apple TV: https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/26/apple-music-shareplay-homepod-apple-tv/
• New Emoji: https://blog.emojipedia.org/first-look-new-emojis-in-ios-17-4/
• Next-Generation CarPlay Preparations: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/25/ios-17-4-next-generation-carplay/
• Streaming game apps are now allowed on the ‌App Store‌ worldwide: https://www.macworld.com/article/2218263/ios-game-streaming-apps-restrictions-lifted.html
• Messaging with Siri: https://www.macobserver.com/tips/how-to/set-language-siri-reads-messages/
• Stolen Device Protection: https://www.techradar.com/phones/ios/take-that-iphone-thieves-ios-174-will-make-stolen-device-protection-even-better
• Apple announces changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-announces-changes-to-ios-safari-and-the-app-store-in-the-european-union/
• iOS 17 Adoption is Slower Than iOS 16 Adoption: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/05/apple-shares-ios-17-adoption-numbers/
• Apple Vision Pro's Developer Strap and Diagnostics Mode Revealed in More Detail: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/02/apple-vision-pro-developer-strap-diagnostics-mode/
• The worst way to play Pokémon: https://www.threads.net/@rileytestut/post/C2-i4tEOlv8
  

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

We're hands-on with Apple's new Vision Pro headset and that means it's time to talk about some of the wonderful third-party apps available for the spatial computing device. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent demonstrate some of the apps and games, discuss the latest news, and Rosemary Orchard helps out listener Kevin with a Shortcut.

• Juno for YouTube

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/juno-for-youtube/id6476961640

• Endel Realms

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/endel-focus-sleep-relax/id1346247457?platform=appleVisionPro

• Kineo

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kineo-flipbook-animations/id286948844?ls=1

• Synth Riders

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/synth-riders/id6473729300?ign-itscg=30800&ign-itsct=SynthRiders205

• Crouton

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crouton-recipe-manager/id1461650987

• Widgetsmith

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/widgetsmith/id1523682319

NEWS

• Forgot your Apple Vision Pro password? Apparently there's no easy way to recover it*
  *There soon will be.

https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/05/forgot-apple-vision-pro-password-recover/

• YouTube says a Vision Pro app is "on the roadmap"

https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/5/24062425/youtube-vision-pro-app-360-vr-video

• Vision Pro Teardown—Why Those Fake Eyes Look So Weird

https://www.ifixit.com/News/90137/vision-pro-teardown-why-those-fake-eyes-look-so-weird

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Several new games have made their way to Apple Arcade! Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent show off some of the new offerings, discuss accessories available for Apple Vision Pro, and Rosemary talks about Shortcuts organizing on the Home Screen.

• Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom
  • https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tamagotchi-adventure-kingdom/id1614952689
• Mahjong Titan+
  • https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mahjong-titan/id1551538909
• Cornsweeper
  • https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cornsweeper/id1600387153
• Mini Motorways+
  • https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mini-motorways/id1453901000
• Mini Metro+
  • https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/mini-metro/id1550663539
• Words in Progress
  • https://apps.apple.com/us/app/words-in-progress/id1021231678
• Snake.io+
  • https://apps.apple.com/us/app/snake-io/id6443553808

News

• Apple previews new entertainment experiences launching with Apple Vision Pro
  • https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-previews-new-entertainment-experiences-launching-with-apple-vision-pro/
• Apple Vision Pro Travel Case
  • https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MW2F3LL/A/apple-vision-pro-travel-case
• Klasden Pouch - Spigen - $89.99
  • https://www.spigen.com/products/apple-vision-pro-klasden-pouch
• Belkin Battery Holder for Apple Vision Pro
  • https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HRDR2ZM/A/belkin-battery-holder-for-apple-vision-pro
• Honda to offer wireless Apple CarPlay retrofit for some Accord models
  • https://www.autoblog.com/2024/01/19/honda-accord-wireless-carplay-update-report/

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Keep your brain running in tip-top shape with these apps and games for brain training! Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of their favorite brain training apps and games, share some early thoughts on the Apple Vision Pro and iOS 17.3's Stolen Device Protection feature, and Rosemary takes on a challenging Shortcuts Corner request.

• MindPal - Brain Training

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindpal-brain-training/id1457846652?uo=4

• Kahoot! Play & Create Quizzes

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kahoot-play-create-quizzes/id1131203560

• Everyday Puzzles: Brain Games

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/everyday-puzzles-brain-games/id1580601028?uo=4

• Brilliant: Learn Interactively

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brilliant-learn-interactively/id913335252

• Crossword Jam+

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/crossword-jam/id6448909510

• Lumosity: Brain Training

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lumosity-brain-training/id577232024

News

• Apple offers to open iPhone tap-to-pay to other payment systems in the EU

https://www.cultofmac.com/843731/apple-offers-to-open-iphone-tap-to-pay-to-other-payment-systems-in-the-eu/

• iOS 17.3 with Stolen Device Protection

https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/22/apple-releases-ios-17-3-with-stolen-device-protection-unity-wallpaper-collaborative-playlists-more/

• iOS 17.3 Features: What's New in iOS 17.3

https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-17-3-features/

• Some Personal News – 512 Pixels

https://512pixels.net/2024/01/some-personal-news/

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Looking to create and maintain habits in the new year? Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent show you some great apps for habit management and tracking.

• HabitKit

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/habit-tracker-habitkit/id6443918070

• Henry Habit

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/henry-habits-wellbeing/id1530541067?uo=

• (Not Boring) Habits

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/not-boring-habits/id1593891243

• Greatness: Daily Habit Tracker

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/greatness-daily-habit-tracker/id1641012703?uo=4

• When Did I ...?

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/when-did-i/id1463692593

• When..?

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/when/id1607338249?uo=4

• Time Block App

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/time-block-app/id1512413725

News:

• China Says It Cracked Apple AirDrop to Identify Message Sources
• Apple Vision Pro demos in retail stores will begin on February 2
• Belkin - Auto-Tracking Stand Pro with DockKit

Shortcuts Corner

• Meetings for Charlie

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/211b95b6464d4e39b851ac363f91bd07

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Sometimes, you just don't need a high-powered, multi-featured app to do what you need to do on your iPhone or iPad. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent show you some of the best utility apps in the App Store to help you complete the small stuff.

• Soulver

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soulver-3/id1508732804

• Gemini Photos: Gallery Cleaner

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gemini-photos-gallery-cleaner/id1277110040?uo=4

• Textcraft

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/textcraft/id1546719359

• Just Press Record

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/just-press-record/id1033342465?uo=4

• Picsew

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/picsew-screenshot-stitching/id1208145167

• Elsewhen

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elsewhen/id1588708173?uo=4

• Annotable

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/annotable-annotation-markup/id1099850421

• NFC Cards (affiliate)

https://amzn.to/47JgFxF

• NFC Tools

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nfc-tools/id1252962749

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

You know what's great about a new year? The opportunity to start again. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some great apps and services to help you learn new skills or brush up on skills you've left behind. The two also discuss Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset and the company's potential antitrust concerns in the EU and US.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

On this, the first Club TWiT episode of iOS Today, Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent share some of the best apps they used in 2023. The two also provide an update on the Apple Watch ban, remind Apple Card Savings account users about the 1099 IRS tax form, and briefly discuss Microsoft's new Copilot app.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Want access to the video version 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.

You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.