Macworld AirPlay lets you stream audio and video over a local network connection between an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to an Apple TV, HomePod, and lots of third-party devices with built-in AirPlay or AirPlay 2 support. When you first connect to an AirPlay destination, you may be prompted to enter a security code. This security code is not designed to protect you from hacking attempts. Rather, it serves as a buffer in situations where multiple users with their own devices are in close proximity (like in a dorm or apartment building) and could see and inadvertently select your AirPlay destination. (Someone might also try to play a prank by accessing your device and sending unwanted content to it.) You can…

Apple in iOS 17 has revised several elements of its stock apps, including the Podcasts app. There are a few noteworthy changes to the functionality and design of the app with the update, as detailed below. The biggest change is a slick new design for the Now Playing screen, which allows the dominant color of the podcast art – or any episode chapter images – to take over the entire screen, sometimes with additional patterning. The playback controls on the bottom half of the screen have also been rejigged. The play speed button has been moved from the bottom left corner of the screen and now sits next to the rewind button. Podcasts app in iOS 16 (left) versus iOS…

Image: OpenAI OpenAI is improving ChatGPT on iPad today with a new update designed to take advantage of the entire iPad screen. The updated ChatGPT app for iOS and iPadOS also includes drag and drop, Siri support, and Shortcuts integration. iPad support means ChatGPT will now run full-screen on Apple’s tablets, instead of as an iPhone sized app running on a bigger display. Little else has changed for the iPad version though, as you’re still presented with a chat interface and options to switch between GPT-3.5 or GPT-4. OpenAI has also added drag and drop support here, so any messages can now be dragged out of the chat interface and into other apps. The update also lets you summon ChatGPT…

Image: Apple Apple has a new development framework that can be used to turn your iPhone into an autonomous pet-tracking camera. According to documentation on Apple’s website, developers can use pet-tracking features with motorized phone stands to capture and follow your pet around your house while you’re not home. As noted by Apple, developers can achieve this using a new framework called DockKit, which can create “photo and video experiences” while an iPhone is mounted on a motorized stand. From there, devs can then use something called the Animal Body Pose API (application programming interface), which is capable of identifying and tracking animals with your phone’s camera. It’s able to identify a pet’s pose, too, including if your pet is…

Apple's new Vision Pro headset is controlled with eye and hand movements by default. For those with accessibility needs, however, features like VoiceOver, Pointer Control, and Dwell Control will allow users to interact with visionOS in other ways. In a WWDC session for developers, Apple has provided more details about these features. Pointer Control Pointer Control will allow the Vision Pro to be controlled based on head, wrist, or index finger position rather than eye tracking. Users will be able to adjust movement sensitivity to further fit their individual needs. Dwell Control will provide on-screen options for Tap, Scroll, Long Press, and Drag, allowing for users to interact with the interface without using their hands. Dwell Control There's also Guided…

Apple in iOS 17 has introduced a number of changes across its stock apps, including the Weather app. With the update, there are some minor changes to the functionality and design of the app. The biggest update is an option to see yesterday's weather in the 10-day forecast. In iOS 16, you can only view the current day and the next 10 days, but in ‌iOS 17‌, you can view current day, the next 10 days, and the weather from the previous day. 10-day forecasts show the chance of rain each day and offer a "daily summary" instead of a forecast. The main Weather interface has been updated with large "My Location" text for the weather forecast in at your…