Podcast Title: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
Episode: iOS Today 729: Bringing Friends and Family Together
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Hosts: Micah Sargent & Rosemary Orchard

Introduction

In Episode 729 of iOS Today, hosts Micah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard delve into innovative ways to leverage Apple’s ecosystem to strengthen connections with friends and family, especially as the holiday season approaches. The discussion centers around Apple’s native features and third-party applications that facilitate shared experiences, whether members are together in person or miles apart.

Enhancing Connection with SharePlay

Micah Sargent introduces SharePlay, a feature integrated within FaceTime, designed to enable shared experiences across various Apple devices.

• Feature Overview:

  • SharePlay allows users to watch movies, TV shows, play games, and listen to music collaboratively within a FaceTime call.
  • Supports multiple Apple devices, including the latest Apple TV models.

• Functionality and Integration:

  • Micah explains, “(04:40) SharePlay is about sharing… you can watch movies or listen to music together, even if you’re in different places.”
  • Not all apps support SharePlay natively. Services like Netflix, Disney+, and Plex have their own sharing mechanisms.
  • On Apple TV (4K, second generation or later), users can initiate FaceTime calls directly, using their iPhone or iPad as a continuity camera.
  • For older Apple TV models, SharePlay can be accessed through Control Center after initiating a FaceTime call on another device.

• User Experience:

  • Rosemary highlights the ease of controlling playback within SharePlay, allowing individual adjustments like volume and closed captioning, catering to personal preferences. “(04:40) They can adjust the volume individually and closed captioning individually.”

• Use Cases:

  • Ideal for watching holiday classics together when traveling isn’t feasible.
  • Facilitates social interactions without the need for constant video engagement, making it less bandwidth-heavy.

Sharing Your ETA with Apple Maps

Micah transitions into discussing ShareETA, a feature within Apple Maps that allows users to share their estimated time of arrival with contacts.

• Feature Details:

  • ShareETA provides real-time updates on your location and arrival time to selected contacts.
  • Compatible with iOS 17 or later and integrates seamlessly with CarPlay.

• Practical Applications:

  • Helps family members know when to expect your arrival, enhancing safety and coordination.
  • Micah shares a personal anecdote: “(11:07) It is a great way of letting people know that you got home safely.”

• Technical Requirements:

  • Requires the driver’s device to have an Apple Music subscription.
  • Others don’t need subscriptions to receive ETA updates via SMS or iMessage.

• Ease of Use:

  • Activation via the Maps app or Siri, simplifying the process to share ETA without disrupting driving.

Rosemary adds that ShareETA can be permanently attached to specific locations (pins), automatically sharing ETAs when navigating to those destinations. This is particularly useful for routine trips, like visiting parents’ homes.

Rosemary Orchard: “(15:39) You could also look into an HDMI switch… regardless, sharing your ETA is very simple.”

Ensuring Safety with Messages' Check In

The conversation shifts to the Check In feature in Messages, which automates safety notifications.

• Functionality:

  • Check In can be set to notify contacts when you reach a destination, based on a timer, or after completing a workout.
  • Acts as a "dead man's switch," sending alerts if you fail to check in within a specified timeframe.

• Customization:

  • Users can choose between automatic notifications upon reaching destinations or time-based triggers.
  • Rosemary demonstrates setting up a Check In: “(26:55) If you tap and then select the type, like timer or workout...”

• Privacy Controls:

  • Two levels of data sharing: Full Data, which includes battery levels and connection status, and Limited Data, offering only basic location and device status.
  • Ensures users can balance safety without oversharing personal information.

• Personal Use Case:

  • Micah reflects on using Check In to monitor family members' safety during commutes, enhancing peace of mind.

Micah Sargent: “(21:19) The fact that you can choose how much information to share… is great for particularly sharing with friends.”

Optimizing Family Sharing Features

Family Sharing is explored as a comprehensive solution for families to share subscriptions, media, and more.

• Benefits:

  • Access to shared app subscriptions, photo albums, calendars, reminders, and location sharing via the Find My app.
  • Streamlines access to shared content without the need for individual purchases.

• Challenges:

  • Micah notes the complexity of setting up Family Sharing remotely, emphasizing the need for in-person assistance: “(24:19) ...it involves interaction from individuals within the family who are hoping to join the team.”

• Alternatives and Flexibility:

  • Rosemary suggests selective sharing, such as shared photo albums and calendars without committing to full Family Sharing.
  • Location sharing can be selectively enabled via Messages, providing flexibility without full device location sharing.

Rosemary Orchard: “(24:19) If you don't want to share app purchases… you can still create shared photo albums and shared calendars.”

Engaging with Third-Party Apps: Jackbox Party Games

To complement Apple’s native features, Rosemary introduces Jackbox Party Games as an excellent third-party application for social gatherings.

• Overview:

  • Jackbox Party Games offers a variety of interactive games that can be played across multiple platforms, including Apple TV, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
  • Ideal for virtual and in-person gatherings, facilitating inclusive participation without the need for specialized hardware.

• Gameplay Mechanics:

  • Easy-to-use interface where one host sets up a game, and participants join via their smartphones or tablets by entering a room code.
  • Games range from drawing and guessing to trivia and creative storytelling, making them accessible for all ages.

• User Experience:

  • Rosemary praises the app’s versatility and ease of use: “(29:16) Jackbox’s games are great… you can just set up the game and then people do the little bit and then it's basically just tap on your phone screen to continue playing.”

• Cost and Availability:

  • Party packs are priced around $30 and often go on sale during events like Black Friday, offering multiple games per purchase.

Micah Sargent: “(31:54) I really recommend them and you'll definitely get your money's worth… a really good set of games.”

Listener Feedback and Solutions

The hosts address listener questions, providing practical solutions to common issues.

1. Managing Mac Mini Storage - Listener: Mike

Question:
Mike seeks advice on reducing the storage footprint of the Apple Podcast app, which occupies 10 GB in documents and data despite attempts to limit downloads.

Solution:

• Rosemary recommends deleting and reinstalling the app to clear accumulated data: “(36:38) Deleting the app itself completely… should solve that for you.”
• Checks should include verifying subscriptions and any manually downloaded episodes that bypass automatic download settings.

Micah’s Additional Tips:

• Advocates for methods to remotely access the Mac Mini using applications like Jump Desktop or Luna Display to manage it without needing a physical screen.
• Suggests using dummy HDMI plugs or HDMI switches to emulate a display, preventing issues with headless setups.

Micah Sargent: “(39:27) I would ask how many podcasts you've subscribed to and also have you downloaded any ad hoc episodes…”

2. Handling Excessive Storage in Podcast App - Listener: Neil

Question:
Neil reports that the Apple Podcast app retains 10 GB of data despite settings to limit downloads and delete after playing.

Solution:

• Rosemary advises identifying and removing manually downloaded episodes that aren't governed by automated settings.
• Emphasizes that offloading an app doesn’t delete its data; complete deletion is required to remove such storage consumption.

Micah’s Insights:

• Clarifies the difference between offloading and deleting apps, ensuring users understand that offloading preserves data.

Micah Sargent: “(41:57) Offloading an app again does not remove it… you have to delete the app entirely to clear its data.”

Shortcuts Corner: Automating CarPlay Disconnect Reminders

In the Shortcuts Corner, Rosemary assists a listener, Dustin, with creating a Shortcut automation to remind him to adjust his truck’s climate control when disconnecting from CarPlay.

• Listener’s Need:

  • Dustin uses a remote start to warm up his truck but has to manually adjust the temperature settings each time.
  • Seeks an automation to prompt him to set the desired temperature upon disconnecting from CarPlay.

• Solution Provided:

  • Rosemary guides Dustin through creating an automation in the Shortcuts app triggered by CarPlay disconnection.
  • Steps include:
    1. Accessing the Automation tab in Shortcuts.
    2. Selecting CarPlay as the trigger for disconnect events.
    3. Creating a notification to remind adjusting the climate settings.

Rosemary Orchard: “(46:12) ...create a new automation in shortcuts… set it to trigger when your device disconnects from CarPlay and then have it send a notification.”

• Customization Options:
  • Ability to refine the trigger based on time of day or specific locations to reduce unnecessary reminders.

Rosemary Orchard: “(46:12) If you'd like that, then write back and let us know and we can get into figuring out whether or not the shortcut should run based on times of day, physical location…”

Conclusion

In this episode of iOS Today, Micah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard explore a variety of Apple features and applications aimed at fostering stronger bonds with friends and family. From leveraging SharePlay and ShareETA for shared experiences and safety to utilizing Family Sharing and Jackbox Party Games for collective enjoyment, the hosts provide comprehensive insights into maximizing the potential of Apple’s ecosystem. Additionally, practical listener feedback offers real-world solutions to common tech challenges, enhancing the show’s value for its audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Micah Sargent: “(04:40) SharePlay is about sharing… you can watch movies or listen to music together, even if you’re in different places.”
• Rosemary Orchard: “(24:19) If you don't want to share app purchases… you can still create shared photo albums and shared calendars.”
• Micah Sargent: “(31:54) I really recommend them and you'll definitely get your money's worth… a really good set of games.”

Stay Connected:

For more insights and updates, visit Rosemary Orchard’s website at rosemaryorchard.com and follow Micah Sargent on social media at ikasargent. Don’t forget to check out Tech News Weekly and other shows hosted by the TWiT.tv network.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 729 of iOS Today, highlighting key discussions on Apple’s features for connecting with loved ones, supplementing the conversation with actionable advice and notable listener interactions.