319 - Honey, I need to get the New Apple Watch Just Because

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by guest, Jill McKinley, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet. we delve into the beta releases of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. Joined by co-hosts Jill McKinley, Marty Jensius, and Jeff Gamet, we discuss new features, including AI capabilities and our experiences with the updates. We speculate on an upcoming Apple event and the potential release of new MacBook Pros. The conversation also covers the significance of mobile VPNs, the popularity of the Apple Watch Ultra, and the rumored 2026 tabletop robotic home device. Finally, we celebrate Apple Maps' accessibility for Firefox users. The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com 
Direct Link to Audio  Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it! Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee  Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios Website: In Touch With iOS YouTube Channel In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard Facebook Page Mastodon X Instagram Threads Spoutible Topics and Summary In this episode of In Touch With iOS, we dive deep into the latest advancements in Apple's ecosystem, with a focus on the recent beta releases of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. I'm joined by guest Jill McKinley and Marty Jencius, along with Jeff Gamet. Together, we explore the new features, enhancements, and our experiences with Apple’s latest offerings. We kick off our discussion by examining the newly seeded developer betas, which bring exciting updates for iPhone and iPad users. The introduction of Apple intelligence garners significant attention, and we all share our first impressions. Jill shares her experience with running the beta on her iPad, discussing features like photo customization and AI email summarization. Marty and I chime in, expressing our enthusiasm for the potential of Apple intelligence, albeit with the recognition that there’s still room for improvement. The conversation then shifts to the upcoming Apple event, anticipated to showcase new products as well as the official release of iOS 18. We speculate on the timing of the event and the chances of seeing new MacBook Pros with M4 processors. We also touch on the beta features for macOS Sequoia, watchOS, and tvOS, reflecting on what they could mean for users interested in multi-device setups. Next, we move into a topic that caught our interest: the ever-evolving world of VPNs on mobile devices. I share insights into the growing importance of VPN usage, especially when on public Wi-Fi networks. We break down some popular VPN options, discussing their differences and what makes them favorable for privacy-conscious users. Jill and Jeff contribute their thoughts on past experiences, while also emphasizing the need for reliability and security when browsing. Shifting topics, we explore the surprising popularity of the Apple Watch Ultra among consumers and the intriguing statistics shared about its sales performance compared to the Apple Watch SE. As an avid Apple Watch user, I voice my own experiences and temptations to upgrade, while Jill and Jeff discuss their preferences and needs when it comes to wearable technology. We all agree that understanding user experiences will be critical as new models are introduced. As we continue, we discuss Apple’s much-anticipated tabletop robotic home device rumored for a future release in 2026, which could revolutionize home automation. The idea of a device that combines functionalities of an iPad, video conferencing, and home management is captivating, though we collectively express skepticism about its necessity given current technology. Finally, we cover Apple's recent move to open up Apple Maps for Firefox users, highlighting the importance of accessibility across various platforms. As we reflect on Apple's decisions surrounding these features, we conclude that their goal is to democratize access while maintaining quality. Throughout the episode, we engage with listener comments and share additional insights, all while bringing in anecdotes and experiences that enrich our discussions. Whether discussing new technology, personal preferences, or industry trends, this episode is packed with valuable information and lively conversation. Don't miss our wrap-up, where we encourage everyone to join us live next week for more engaging discussions about Apple and its ecosystem. Links to stories referenced in this week's episode.  Everything New in iOS 18.1 Beta 2 and iOS 18 Beta 6 Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Beta Firmware With Support for iOS 18 Features Apple Seeds Second Developer Betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 With Apple Intelligence Apple Seeds Sixth Betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available] Apple Seeds Sixth Beta of macOS Sequoia to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available] iOS 18 vs. iOS 18.1: New Features, Release Timing, and More Apple Releases Fourth watchOS 11 Public Beta With Vitals App and More iPhone Mirroring in macOS Sequoia and iOS 18 Now Supports Jiggle Mode for Managing Home Screen iOS 18: Using the New 'Search Here' Feature in Apple Maps How to use a VPN on Apple TV The best VPN services for iPhone and iPad in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed Report: Apple Watch Ultra More Popular Than Apple Watch SE Apple Arcade Frustrations Persist for Game Developers Best iPad keyboards Zugu iPad Case review by Dave and these are his favorite cases. Zugu Amazon Links  Zugu iPad Pro M4 13" 2024 Model Zugu iPad Pro M4 11" 2024 Model All Zugu iPad Cases News Apple Opening Up iPhone's NFC Chip to Third-Party Developers in iOS 18.1 - MacRumors Developers can soon offer in-app NFC transactions using the Secure Element - Apple  iPhone Driver's License Support Rolling Out Soon in California Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026 With Pricing Around $1,000 Google Launches New Pixel 9 Smartphones With Gemini AI Apple Music With Spatial Audio Now Available in Rivian Vehicles Apple Maps on Web Now Supports Firefox Browser Announcements Macstock 8 wrapped up for 2024. But you can purchase the digital pass and still see the great talks we had including Dave talking about Apple Services and more. Content should be available in August - September.  Click here for more information: Digital Pass | Macstock Conference & Expo with discounts on previous events.  Our Host Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastadon @daveg65, and the show @intouchwithios   Our Regular Contributors Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s managing editor, and Smile’s TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet as well as Twitter and Instagram as @jgamet  His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Ben Roethig Former Associate Editor of GeekBeat.TV and host of the Tech Hangout and Deconstruct with Patrice  Mac user since the mid 90s. Tech support specialist. Twitter @benroethig  Website: https://roethigtech.blogspot.com Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected]  https://thepodtalk.net  About our Guest Jill McKinley is a professional in the field of enterprise software, server administration, and IT. She started her technical career in Windows but now exclusively uses a Mac in her personal life. She hosts several podcasts, including Start with Small Steps and Buzz Blossom & Squeak, where she offers tips and insights for a better life. Her podcasts island blogs can be found at https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com/  and X @schmern.