iOS Today 775: Utility Apps

Lander, lander, who's got the lander? Last week, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced that the agency would be re-opening the contract for the Artemis III lunar lander, which had previously been let to SpaceX to be fulfilled by their Starship Human Landing System. Unfortunately, that effort is well behind schedule, and the Trump administration has made landing astronauts on the moon, before China does, a national priority. With multiple refuelings and landing tests required, there is concern that SpaceX may not be able to fulfil their commitment before China's announced landing date of 2030. Elon Musk responded to the announcement with characteristic tack, with phrasing like "Sean Dummy" and him having a two-digit IQ. Mike Wall of Space.com joins us to dive into this rapidly evolving story. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Mike Wall Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Emily Forlini of PCMag joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly! Microsoft launched its fall feature drop for Copilot, including a new AI avatar called Mico. Amazon is making headlines with its robotic automation efforts and also unveiled new AR smart glasses for delivery drivers. Jason Howell stops by to discuss Samsung's new Galaxy XR headset, their answer to Apple's Vision Pro. Emily discusses Microsoft's new AI avatar Mico, introduced as part of Copilot's fall feature drop with 12 new features, including group project tools and health Q&A. Emily and Mikah debate whether anyone actually wants 'real talk' with a chatbot. Mikah covers Amazon's continued automation push, replacing warehouse positions with robots as the company expands its use of robotics throughout its logistics operations. Emily weighs in with her inside knowledge on what this means for real workers. Jason Howell joins to talk about Samsung's new $1,799 Galaxy XR headset positioning itself as a direct competitor to Apple's Vision Pro. He explains why built-in Gemini AI makes it special and why smart glasses might ultimately beat big VR headsets. Mikah dives into Amazon's new AR smart glasses designed for delivery drivers, featuring hands-free navigation, package scanning, hazard detection, and automatic proof-of-delivery photo capture—all displayed directly in the driver's field of view. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Emily Forlini Guest: Jason Howell Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: ventionteams.com/twit auraframes.com/ink outsystems.com/twit threatlocker.com/twit

Tron: Ares is the third installment in the Tron franchise from Disney, which spans over 40 years. Scott Wilkinson saw it in IMAX 3D and gives his review here. Is it worth $25 or more to see it in IMAX? Host: Scott Wilkinson Download or subscribe to Home Theater Geeks at https://twit.tv/shows/home-theater-geeks 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.

Is Windows 11 on ARM finally ready for gaming? Paul Thurrott puts new Snapdragon-powered laptops to the test with both classics and demanding titles, revealing some unexpected wins and ongoing hurdles. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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.

This episode demonstrates how Spotlight's new "actions" feature quietly transforms your workflow, adapting to the app you're using and what you copy, delivering shortcuts you never knew you needed. Discover how to create lightning-fast quick keys in Spotlight, letting you instantly send emails, print documents, or launch commands in your favorite apps. Spotlight actions get personal—suggestions adapt to your app usage Third-party apps feed custom actions into Spotlight Actions adapt to your current app like Photos & Notes Context-aware Spotlight pulls menu bar commands and clipboard data Quick Keys for Spotlight actions let you set up fast shortcuts Real-world examples: creating shortcuts for email, Finder, and printer tasks Spotlight actions connect workflows—print PDFs and automate simple actions Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple 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.

Wondering how to turn your iPhone into the ultimate utility tool? This episode reveals under-the-radar apps and clever tricks that transform everyday tasks, from scanning bizarre-shaped books to hijacking your iPhone camera as a pro-level Mac webcam. Using iPhone as a webcam for Mac with Camo and Continuity Camera Simple Scan app for digitizing documents and OCR on iOS Quick note-taking and text automation using Drafts app Network device discovery with the Discovery app for iOS and Mac Transloader app for remote Mac downloads from your iPhone News: Apple sunsets Clips social video app, replacement options suggested Feedback: Apple Watch Ultra size and user preferences Shortcuts Corner: Apple Intelligence shortcut fails on Apple Watch, troubleshooting advice App Caps: Theraview ADHD medication tracker and Terraforming Mars digital board game Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. 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.

Is the future of artificial intelligence running on your desk instead of in massive data centers? This episode breaks down how Nvidia's Blackwell chip and HP's new ZGX Nano could let anyone fine-tune jaw-dropping language models at home—and why privacy, cost, and control are suddenly up for grabs. Introducing ChatGPT Atlas Claude Skills are awesome, maybe a bigger deal than MCP Leo... AI assistants make widespread errors about the news, new research shows The Majority AI View - Anil Dash OpenAI cracks down on Sora 2 deepfakes after pressure from Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA Is Andrej Karpathy Right About Overhyped AI? Happy 18th Birthday to None Pizza Left Beef Originality.ai Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paris Martineau, and Mike Elgan Guests: Joey de Villa and Andrew Hawthorn Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: agntcy.org fieldofgreens.com Promo Code "IM" ventionteams.com/twit

Microsoft is promising a bold AI-infused future for Windows 11, as the company aims to turn the OS into an AI-powered "agentic" hub. Amid all the Copilot hype, the hosts ask the tough questions: Are these AI features solving real problems, or is Big Tech just chasing a revenue gold rush? Tune in for sharp takes on AI skepticism, notable buzzwords, and the practical impact of Microsoft's ambitious new direction. Windows 11... Windows.ai?? Microsoft announces several new Copilot and AI features in Windows while redefining the term "AI PC" out from under Intel New features: Hey Copilot wake phrase (and goodbye), Copilot Vision is GA, new features coming soon include Copilot replacing Search in the Taskbar, Copilot Actions for local files, Manus AI agent and Filmora integration with File Explorer AI Actions, Zoom integration with Click to Do This is about Windows transforming into an "AI native" agentic OS Which ties into Paul's AI is the End of Apps editorial, where apps became programmable so that they can be controlled by AI - You can see baby steps in Windows 11 in-box apps now Microsoft explains how it will secure agents in Windows because Recall what happened last time Microsoft releases so-called emergency update for Windows 11 after the October Patch Tuesday updates killed USB mouse and keyboard supports in the Windows Recovery Environment (WRE). Windows Insider Program: Mobile devices settings improvements, File Explorer improvements, Drag Tray improvements, and other changes head to Dev (25H2) and Beta (24H2) channels New Start menu, battery icons, Copilot Vision integration in Taskbar, File Explorer improvements, Voice access improvements, and Click to Do improvements (Copilot+ PC only) head to Release Preview, indicating they will be a Week D preview and then Patch Tuesday release in November Restyle rolling out in Paint across most Insider channels Open AI finally launches long-expected web browser, but only on the Mac because FU, Microsoft Facebook Messenger for Windows is retiring, will chase rabbits on a farm upstate Microsoft What does Microsoft's annual report say about its relationship with consumers? Three core consumer businesses: Windows, Microsoft 365 Consumer, Xbox/gaming Xbox/gaming smallest (500m) but also the most engaged - and also the most discussed in the report Not clear what % of users/revenues is consumer based, but it's not a small number (guessing its at least one-third of each) AI Copilot for Education is coming in December, $18 per student per month Anthropic Claude is coming for Copilot in Microsoft 365 commercial Copilot has AI competition on Samsung smart TVs now Opera Neon is getting an AI research agent Xbox and gaming Xbox president says next console will be "very premium". You know, like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are now available for purchase New wave of games coming to Game Pass across PC, console, and cloud, including Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, The Outer Worlds 2, and more Following console price hikes, Xbox Development Kit gets a 33 percent price increase thanks to insane U.S. tariffs Tips & Picks Tip of the week: Laptops are upgradeable again and life is good App pick of the week: A grab bag of apps for Windows users RunAs Radio this These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/955 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsors: ventionteams.com/twit helixsleep.com/windows framer.com/design promo code WW outsystems.com/twit

Think your mouse is harmless? Steve and Leo uncover how modern optical mice might be secretly "listening" in, and reveal why satellite data pouring down on us is almost entirely unsecured. The long awaited lawsuit to block Texas SB2420. Embattled Texas SB2420 also impacts Google Play. At long last, NIST modernizes their password policy. Scattered LAPSUS$ Hunters demise was exaggerated. China claims that the NSA has been hacking them. Half of all geosynchronous satellite traffic is unencrypted. The AWS outage highlights the rising risk of Internet monoculture. A terrific collection of listener feedback and... Could your PC's mousehave much bigger ears than you know? https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1048-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to Security Now at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: Melissa.com/twit hoxhunt.com/securitynow threatlocker.com for Security Now joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT bitwarden.com/twit

Apple announced the new M5 MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro! Apple and F1 reach a 5-year media deal. And Steve Jobs will appear on the $1 U.S. coin. M5 Vision Pro, Dual Kit Band, PSVR2 controller review: Apple's experiment continues. Spectrum brings NBA games in Apple Immersive to Apple Vision Pro. Apple and F1 reach 5-year media deal, bringing all races to Apple TV streaming in the U.S. M5 MacBook Pro review: The ultimate computer? Apple to build tabletop robot and home hub in Vietnam. Head of Apple's AI search project leaves to join Meta. Apple says 'Great Ideas Start on Mac' in ad voiced by Dr. Jane Goodall. Apple's Steve Jobs to appear on $1 U.S. Coin: 'Make Something Wonderful'. Apple TV, Apple Music and App Store are down as Apple services suffer major outage. Picks of the Week Leo's Picks: Tahoe Electron Detector & Notepad.exe Andy's Pick: Harper Grammar Checker Jason's Pick: Tapo Smart Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: framer.com/design promo code MACBREAK outsystems.com/twit zapier.com/macbreak