iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear

This article will tell you how to use the iPhone's new Wind Down feature to benefit your bedtime routine. The Sleep Schedules introduced with iOS 14 have a lot of potential to get people on the right track when it comes to their bedtime routines, but it can also be a nuisance if you don't optimize it for your personal habits. Wind Down Time is a mode where your phone goes into Do Not Disturb mode to encourage you to stop your usual activities and — you guessed it — wind down. This can be overridden on your lock screen, and you can also set up shortcuts to the activities that help you wind down, so you don't have to open your whole phone and see all the notifications vying for your attention that you should really leave until the morning. When I set up my first Sleep Schedule I was annoyed at the Wind Down notifications and subsequent Do Not Disturb mode. However, if you take just a little extra time to think about your own habits and what helps you settle down at night, Wind Down mode can be a very useful tool to help your mind settle down at the end of the day. So here are the best ways to get the most out of Wind Down mode and, if all else fails, how to turn off your Sleep Schedules.

If you're willing to make the investment to add a HomePod or HomePod mini to several rooms in your house (if not all of them), you'll be able to take advantage of the new Intercom feature. Intercom is incredibly handy, allowing users to send and receive communications via a network of Bluetooth connected devices. This means that, for instance, instead of yelling to your kids that dinner is ready, now Siri can do it for you. That's right, you can now use Intercom to make Siri do some of your parent-to-child yelling. Just keep in mind that they, too, can join in the fun!

This article will tell you about the new security updates iOS 14 brings to your iPhone. While a lot of the flashier features of iOS 14 have been getting the most attention—App Clips! Translate app! The new App Library!—one of the most important parts of this update is what it means for your security. The security updates include always being able to tell if your camera or microphone is recording, even if you don't have it pulled up on your screen; being able to choose which photos you share with an app, instead of always sharing your whole camera roll; controlling whether or not an app can see your approximate or precise location; more transparency in the app store; privacy reports on pages you visit; and joining Wi-Fi from a private network. This sounds like a lot, and it is, but it's important to know all the privacy features your iPhone has to offer, and to learn how to take full advantage of them. So let's take a look at each feature and what it means for you. For more great ways to get the most out of iOS 14, check out our Tip of the Day!

In episode 148 of the iPhone Life Podcast, Donna interviews Krystal Maughan and Hassan Kane of Black in AI, a nonprofit that mentors Black researchers in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Learn about the exciting field of AI and why creating inclusive AI algorithms and workplaces is so important.

Not only are iPads great portable devices for on-the-go creativity or entertainment, they can also be powerful productivity tools. With the right iPad gear, you can easily achieve laptop-level productivity. In this 2020 Buyer's Guide article, we'll cover the best accessories for your iPad, including our favorite iPad keyboard, bag, wireless mouse, and USB hub. 

Macs are our main hub for work and entertainment. We need to have gear and accessories to keep them charged, protected from accidents, and have components that add the most to their value. We've put together some of our favorite Mac docs, charging ports, adaptors, and even a headphone stand in our 2020 Buyer's Guide to Mac accessories. You'll find items from Brydge, Avantree, Anker, and more, offering a range of sturdy, innovative, and classic products for your Mac. 

If you're in the market to buy your first smart home device or adding to your collection of smart home accessories, our 2020 Buyer's Guide has lots of excellent options for you to look at. Whether you are searching for a smart doorbell, a full smart home starter pack, or a laundry sensor, we've evaluated the best protection, safety, and energy-saving accessories for your home.