Summary of "iOS Today" Episode 747: Cooking & Food

Released April 10, 2025

In episode 747 of "iOS Today," hosted by Micah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard, the conversation delves into the intersection of technology and culinary arts. The episode explores how various iOS applications and accessories can enhance the cooking experience, making it more efficient, precise, and enjoyable. Recorded on April 1, 2025, the hosts navigate through smart kitchen gadgets, innovative cooking apps, and the latest Apple software updates that cater to both novice cooks and seasoned chefs.

Smart Thermometers: Revolutionizing Cooking Precision

Rosemary Orchard kicks off the discussion by addressing a common challenge in cooking large meat joints: determining the perfect doneness. She introduces Meter Plus, a smart meat thermometer that connects via Bluetooth to monitor cooking temperatures in real-time.

"I got a Meter Plus, and this is a smart meat thermometer that you stick in whatever it is you're cooking..." ([03:52])

However, Rosemary highlights a significant drawback—limited Bluetooth range, which often results in disconnections when she moves away from the kitchen. Seeking a more reliable solution, she explores the Temp Spike by Thermopro, praising its enhanced connectivity and additional features.

"A massive advantage of the Temp Spike stuff versus the Meter is their products start at around $90, and the cheapest Meter starts at about $130." ([10:25])

Micah Sargent complements this by emphasizing the value of having dual probes, which ensures uniform cooking across different parts of the meat.

"What makes Temp Spike uniquely valuable is the fact that you have two probes... which is fantastic for ensuring uniform temperature across a large slab of meat." ([08:35])

Cooking Apps: Crouton vs. Paprika

Transitioning from hardware to software, Rosemary introduces Crouton, her preferred cooking application over the long-standing Paprika app. Crouton offers comprehensive meal planning, recipe management, and integrates seamlessly with other smart kitchen devices.

"Crouton is one of my favorite applications because it does more than just recipe storage." ([12:32])

Rosemary demonstrates Crouton's features, such as meal planning based on weather forecasts, which allows her to choose suitable recipes like stews on cold days or salads when it's hot outside. The app also supports importing recipes from various sources and offers AI-driven suggestions to streamline the cooking process.

Micah echoes her enthusiasm, particularly highlighting the app's hands-free capabilities which are invaluable when handling ingredients.

"The hands-free options in Crouton are extremely clever and useful, especially when handling raw ingredients." ([22:03])

Smart Speakers: Managing Timers with Ease

The conversation shifts to the practical use of Apple's HomePod in the kitchen, specifically for setting and managing multiple timers. Rosemary shares her strategy for keeping track of various cooking stages without relying on her phone or watch.

"With smart speakers, timers are accessible no matter where my phone is, and others in the household can respond when timers go off." ([23:11])

She explains how HomePod allows her to name each timer, preventing confusion and ensuring that everyone in the household is aware of the cooking progress. This feature proves especially useful in a busy kitchen environment where multiple dishes are being prepared simultaneously.

Apple iOS 18.4 Updates: Enhancements and New Features

Micah updates listeners on the recent iOS 18.4 release, discussing several new features:

• Priority Notifications: Designed to highlight important alerts based on user behavior, though Micah notes some shortcomings in group chat prioritization.

• Apple Vision Pro Integration: A new app that facilitates spatial experiences and device management.

• Apple News Plus Recipes: Curated recipe collections that integrate with cooking activities, though not as robust as specialized cooking apps like Crouton.

• Photos App Updates: Improved filtering, organizing capabilities, and enhanced parental controls to prevent children from bypassing app limits.

HomeKit Integration: Smart Robot Vacuums

An exciting segment covers the integration of robot vacuums into Apple's HomeKit via the Matter protocol, introduced in iOS 18.4. Rosemary lists compatible models from brands like Roborock and Ecovacs, enabling users to control their vacuums through the Apple Home app.

"If you have a robot vacuum that supports this, you can start it, stop it, and more directly from HomeKit." ([34:50])

Micah expresses his excitement about this development, noting that it was a long-awaited feature that enhances home automation and kitchen cleanliness without additional hassle.

New Emojis in iOS 18.4

The episode briefly touches on the addition of new emojis, including:

• Face with bags under eyes
• Root vegetable (radish)
• Fingerprint
• Harp
• Leafless tree
• Splatter
• Shovel

Rosemary and Micah humorously debate the representation and color schemes of these new emojis, adding a light-hearted element to the technical discussions.

Conclusion: Embracing Technology in the Kitchen

As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to explore the discussed apps and devices to enhance their cooking experiences. They promote Club TWiT for exclusive content and invite listeners to connect with them via their respective websites and social media platforms.

Rosemary Orchard recommends visiting rosemaryorchard.com for more resources, while Micah Sargent directs listeners to ChihuahuaCoffee.com for additional content and updates.

Notable Quotes

• Rosemary Orchard at [03:52]: "I got a Meter Plus, and this is a smart meat thermometer that you stick in whatever it is you're cooking."

• Micah Sargent at [08:35]: "What makes Temp Spike uniquely valuable is the fact that you have two probes... which is fantastic for ensuring uniform temperature across a large slab of meat."

• Rosemary Orchard at [12:32]: "Crouton is one of my favorite applications because it does more than just recipe storage."

• Micah Sargent at [22:03]: "The hands-free options in Crouton are extremely clever and useful, especially when handling raw ingredients."

• Rosemary Orchard at [34:50]: "If you have a robot vacuum that supports this, you can start it, stop it, and more directly from HomeKit."

This episode of "iOS Today" seamlessly blends technology with everyday cooking needs, showcasing how smart devices and applications can transform the culinary landscape. Whether it's ensuring perfectly cooked meat, organizing meal plans, or maintaining a spotless kitchen, iOS continues to provide innovative solutions for modern homemakers.