At our August meeting, held on the 8th, Robert shared some tips including how to quickly access shortcuts from the iPhone lock screen. Members also brought up several other topics.
Tips
Lock screen shortcuts
Robert showed how a folder can be created in the Shortcuts app to hold up to 8 shortcuts to perform different actions. When this folder is linked to a lock screen icon or the action button it pops up a menu allowing multiple actions to be assigned instead of the usual one.
The process using the action button is explained in this article. Here is how change the default torch or camera controls on the lock screen. To select a Shortcuts folder, select the Shortcut control, choose Show folder and select the folder you created.
Some of the shortcuts Robert used as examples were:
- Opening an app, using the example BBC Sounds.
- Starting Reminders showing a particular list.
- Opening the camera in a selected mode (for example Selfie or Video).
- Turning on and off smart lighting.
- Opening a specific messages conversation.
Managing Messages storage
Robert talked about how to manage the storage used by Messages (particularly by attachments such as images and video) on devices as well as in iCloud. He pointed out that there is an option to limit message history to 1 year or 1 month to reduce the storage requirements.
This Apple Insider article has some good tips.
Apple News
We discussed recent Apple news including:
- Anker issues a safety recall on several of their power banks.
- Support for the older HomeKit architecture is ending this year.
- “F1” is Apple’s best performing film.
- OpenAI acquires io, Jony Ive’s AI hardware startup.
- Sound Therapy playlists added to Apple Music.
- Apple celebrates 20 years of podcasts in iTunes.
Member Topics
- DaveK mentioned the hearing aid feature of the AirPods Pro 2.
- Elliot mentioned Centre Stage on the iPad camera.
- We talked about OS support on older Macs and found this useful page on Mac World summarising where OS support ended for various iMacs and if that OS version is still updated.
- DavidB mentioned DuckDuckGo VPN.
- DavidB talked about the conversions feature of the iOS calculator, Elliot mention the calculation history and DaveK noted that you can copy the result to the clipboard.
- DavidB also noted that you can ask Siri to shutdown your device.
- Ben mentioned that in macOS Tahoe the traditional hard drive icon is being retired.