iOS 729: Bringing Friends and Family Together - Check In, Family Sharing, Jackbox Games

In this episode, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard explore neat ways to bring friends and family together using Apple technologies, focusing on features like SharePlay, ETA sharing, Check In, and Family Sharing. iPhone and Apple TV can help people connect, especially during the holiday season, regardless of physical distance!

• SharePlay
  • A feature that allows multiple people to watch movies, TV shows, and listen to music together remotely or in-person
  • Works across Apple devices and supports various services like Apple TV, CarPlay, and Apple Music
  • Enables collaborative media experiences with individual preferences like volume and closed captions
• Share ETA (Apple Maps)
  • Allows users to share their estimated time of arrival with contacts
  • Updates recipients automatically if route changes or arrival time shifts
  • Works both within Apple ecosystem and with non-Apple devices via text message
• Check-in Feature (Messages)
  • Enables users to set up automatic check-ins during activities like workouts or travel
  • Offers multiple options: destination arrival, timed check-in, and workout completion
  • Provides configurable location sharing with various privacy levels
• Family Sharing
  • Allows families to share app subscriptions, photos, calendars, and locations
  • Flexible setup with options to share or restrict different types of content
  • Can be configured with varying levels of sharing comfort for different family members
• Jackbox Party Games
  • Recommended as a fun way to bring people together
  • Supports multiple platforms and devices
  • Enables group gameplay through simple, accessible interfaces

Feedback:

• Rosemary discussed solutions for remotely accessing a Mac Mini used as a home server
• Rosemary and Mikah addressed an issue with large podcast app storage and explained difference between offloading and deleting an app

Shortcuts Corner:

• Dustin from Montana seeks a shortcut to remind him to adjust truck temperature when disconnecting from CarPlay

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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