We already know the Apple TV offers not only live-streaming but also app-based tv and movie viewing. As well, the Apple TV has a wide range of apps for everything from games, to shopping. Here's our 2018 roundup of the best tv, movie, music, gaming, and shopping apps for your Apple TV.
AirTags & Privacy: What You Need to Know
By August Garry
AirTags are an Apple tracking device used to help prevent losing your possessions. You can attach AirTags to your frequently misplaced items and use the Find My app to track them down, from near or far. But if you can track your own keys or wallet so easily, what’s stopping stalkers from using an Apple tracker to follow their victims?
Saved by the Apple Watch: Stories from Our Readers
By August Garry
I frequently call my Apple devices lifesavers. I would miss 99 percent of my appointments without the help of my iPhone alarms, but it may be a bit of an exaggeration to say I would die without my HomePod. There was no hyperbole needed for many of you who wrote in with stories of when your Apple devices saved the day! Once again, you came through with some amazing tales of your iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirTags coming to your rescue. I will reproduce several of them here, edited for space and clarity.
How to See Map of Your Last Hike in the Fitness App
By Rachel Needell
If you're someone that likes to go for hikes or enjoys exploring parks, did you know that you can use the Fitness app to see a map of your last hike or walk? This is especially great if you want to duplicate a path you've walked before, or you want to share your journey with friends. Additionally, it's a great way to avoid getting lost the next time you go exploring! Here's how it works.
How to Find Apple Watch If Dead or Offline Every Time
By Olena Kagui
Lost Apple Watch? Don’t panic! I’ll teach you how to find your Apple Watch, even if the battery is completely drained or your watch is turned off. I’ll explain how to use the Find My device last seen feature to track your Apple Watch. I will also give you Apple Watch location tracking and loss prevention tips!
How to Stop All of Your Devices Ringing When You Get a Call
By Conner Carey
A handy feature called Continuity & Handoff makes it possible for you to answer phone calls from your Mac or iPad when they are all connected through iCloud. However, if you want to learn how to stop your iPad from ringing or how to turn off the ringer on your Mac, there is a quick way to easily disable your other devices from ringing. Here’s how to turn off phone calls on iPad and Mac.
Can You Delete Apple Pay Transactions? Here's What You Can Do
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
You might want to know how to delete your Apple Pay history for a number of reasons: maybe you bought a gift from a recognizable store or maybe you just don't want your transactions listed out. Whatever the reason, if you're wondering how to delete Apple Cash transactions or Apple Pay history, the answer is: you can't. You can, however, remove the card entirely. There are pros and cons to this, so let's dive in.
How to Open Multiple Windows of the Same App on iPad
By Rachel Needell
Many Apple users are familiar with Split View, a feature that allows you to open two applications on iPad at once. Did you know you can also use Split View to work in two windows of the same app open at once? I just learned this hidden trick that allows you to open the same app in two separate windows and work within them both at once. I'll walk you through exactly how!
Neat & Tidy Notes: How to Draw with Lines & Grids in the Notes App
By Rachel Needell
Just when you thought the Notes app couldn't get any better, you learn that you can actually turn a note into graph paper, or create evenly spaced lines that help you maintain straight writing. This is a super handy tip, especially if you're drawing out a math problem or simply want to take handwritten notes on some lined paper. The Notes app can do it all! Let's get into how to add lines and grids to Notes.
How to Make Google Maps Default on iPhone (Even Though Apple Won't Let You)
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
Apple Maps has its strengths and weaknesses, and those weaknesses may lead you to prefer Google Maps. It can be a pain to separately open the app and type in an address every time you want to navigate, so you might be wondering how to change your default map on your iPhone. Unfortunately, you can't officially do this, but you can make it so every navigation you launch from your mail or your web browsing takes you straight to Google Maps. Here's how to set Google Maps as the default on your iPhone by working around Apple's limitations.
How to Save Pictures from Messages & Facebook on Your iPhone
By Olena Kagui
The images you receive on your iPhone don't automatically save to your Photos app. Fortunately, you can easily save pictures from iMessages or Facebook to your iPhone. You can even bulk save photos from a Messages conversation! Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to transfer photos in these scenarios.
How to Take Better iPhone Photos in a Snap
By Cullen Thomas
Once you’ve got an iPhone in your pocket or purse, it’s quick to become your go-to camera just because it’s there and ready, whether for taking selfies, family photos, or even more artistic fare. Personally, I almost never carry my expensive DSLR camera anymore. Instead, I keep a few tips in mind and a pocket full of small accessories so I’ll be ready when the light is just right.
How to Find & Download Music from Apple Music on iPhone
By Leanne Hays
Apple Music is a service that allows subscribers to browse and listen to a library of over 40 million songs. Apple Music users can also download music, make playlists, and follow friends to find out what they're listening to. There's even an Apple Radio feature where subscribers can tune in to a wide selection of live radio stations to hear streaming music, or create their own custom radio stations. If you find a song you like on any radio station you're listening to, you can save it to your Apple Music Library, add it to a playlist, and share it with other Apple Music listeners you've connected to. But how do you go about downloading a song or album from Apple Music when you find content you enjoy so much that you want to have constant access to it? Let's find out!
How to Use the HomePod mini Temperature and Humidity Sensor
By Olena Kagui
Apple surprised HomePod mini owners with the iOS 16.3 update that activated a previously unused sensor sitting on our shelves. This HomePod sensor not only measures your home's temperature and humidity but can also trigger HomeKit automations for your smart home setup! This means that a change in temperature or humidity can turn on your AC or dehumidifier as long as they are compatible.
Seeing Apple Music appear in Tesla's All Apps folder was one of the best surprises of the December 2022 Tesla software holiday update. The lack of Tesla-Apple Music integration has been a pain point for Apple users who own Teslas. However, thanks to the Tesla update, Apple Music is now available in Tesla's running 2022.44.25 or newer.
Watch Live Performances with Wide Spectrum Audio on FaceTime
By August Garry
Have you ever tried to share a recital or conduct a music lesson over FaceTime? If so, Wide Spectrum Mic Mode may be for you. Wide Spectrum mode brings in and enhances all the background noise around you so your friends or family can hear things with better quality.
Apple Fitness Plus: How to Add a Favorite Workout to My Workouts
By Erin MacPherson
Most Apple Fitness app users tend to favor certain workouts. If you’d rather have an easy way to find your favorite workouts instead of having to search through Apple Fitness+ each time, we’ll show you how to add favorite workouts to your My Workouts list.
Can I Use Apple Fitness Plus without an Apple Watch?
By Erin MacPherson
Do you need an Apple Watch to use Apple Fitness Plus? Well... yes and no. There are some things you can do without an Apple Watch, but other features won't work without a compatible Apple Watch in use. Let's take a look at how your Apple Watch interfaces with Fitness Plus, and when you can use the service without your watch.
Speech to Text Software: 5 Best Dictation Apps
By Olena Kagui
Voice-to-text apps are useful because they allow you to take notes, translate real-time conversations, and even send a quick email. Dictation software enables you to transcribe audio into text which has many practical uses in today’s society. There is a lot of free transcription software out there that is perfect for every talk-to-text need.
Apple Arcade: A New Era for Mobile Games
By Nicholas Naioti
Last September, Apple launched Apple Arcade, an innovative new service that gives you access to a growing selection of high-quality iOS games for a fixed monthly fee of $4.99 per month. It now includes over a hundred games with the subscription. I don’t consider myself much of a gamer, but I was a passenger on a long car ride with lots of time to kill and decided to check it out. I’ve since used it extensively and will share the good and the bad of Apple Arcade with you here.
