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AI Planned My Vacation

By Linda Ruth

AI Planned My Vacation

With my 35th wedding anniversary coming up, I wanted to plan something extra special. My husband is ambivalent about travel—sure, it’s a big treat, but it’s also a big pain. Plus, when you travel, you’re not at home! I have a reputation as the family’s travel planner. This year, though, I wondered: might AI have something to contribute?

The iPad mini 5; to be released, or not to be released, that is the question. I'd already come to my own conclusion about Apple's iPad mini line; I felt that with the advent of larger displays on iPhones, plus the less expensive 2018 iPad that was released earlier this year, iPad minis will be discontinued. It turns out that the Apple fans who vehemently disagree with me were correct, though; the iPad mini 5 was just announced! Below are the ideas we had about features to expect if and when the latest in the mini 5 was released, including release date and features might we expect to see in a new version of the iPad mini. Finally, we wondered how much the latest iPad mini would cost. Let's get started discussing the iPad mini 5 rumors, then you can compare them to the newly-released tablet and see how close we were to accuracy! 

The developer of anxietyhelper, Amanda Southworth, was one of the recipients of Apple’s WWDC scholarship program this year. Her main focus is on helping people, and both of the apps she’s created so far have already done this. anxietyhelper is a mental health toolkit that provides easy-to-access information, resources, and tools for anyone struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, bipolar disorder, or recovery. Her app has already made a big difference in my life; but I’m just one of many, which quickly becomes apparent reading the reviews. Learn more on what this app does and why we love it below.

Solo isn't just the name of a swashbucking scoundrel from the Star Wars movie of the same name. It's the name of a New-York-City-based bag manufacturer whose products you've probably seen in Staples or Best Buy. But you might not see the Kilbourn Leather Backpack ($229.99) in person, as it is only available in limited quantities from select retailers, or online at www.solo-ny.com. 

how to edit slow mo on iphone

Editing a slow-motion video is incredibly simple with your iPhone slow-mo video editor. After you’ve taken your video, you can edit it in the Photos app; choose when you want the slow motion to start, when the video clip begins and ends, what filters to use, what rotation or cropping you want, and even exposure and saturation settings. Let’s get started learning how to edit slow-motion videos on the iPhone.

If you're like me, and most Apple users, you probably have multiple iOS devices. But even if you and your household have a mixed environment of Android and Apple gear, the Udoq (starting at $124.80) universal docking system has you covered. This beautiful, award-winning, aircraft-grade aluminum docking station hides away charging cables so there's just one cable running to the A/C outlet. Speaking of aircraft, it even looks a bit like an airplane wing.


These days we have a plethora of options when it comes to finding a Qi wireless charger that best suits our needs. While these convenient charging pads have many similarities, no two are the same. In fact, one of the biggest differences I find between charging pads, aside from obvious variances in style and appearance, would have to be the charging wattage that they deliver and therefore how fast they charge. In my testing I found that all of these Qi chargers work well even with iPhones in rugged protective cases.

If you like to download and try out new apps, you know how quickly the Home Screen on your iPhone can become a disorganized mess. We've already gone over how to move apps on the iPhone, as well as how to create app folders; but there's a cool trick that makes it easier than ever to rearrange an entire Home Screens of apps at once or to drag multiple apps in to a folder at once on your iPhone. Let's get started learning how to quickly and easily get all those app icons where you want them on your Home Screen. 

I've been a fan of audiobooks since they were books on tape, and I clearly remember the very first one I ever listened to, Brahm Stoker's Dracula. Thanks to my local library, this classic audiobook was free; and as the years rolled on, I checked out the new-and-improved books on CD, until I finally modernized and started streaming audiobooks on my iPhone. I don't have a lot of time to sit down and read anymore, so the Audible app has been a great way to keep up with my favorite authors. One problem, though; I listen to far more than one book per month, and it's getting expensive to keep purchasing extra credits. That's why I'm excited to report that I've ended right where I began, with free audiobooks from my local library! There are two apps, called Libby and OverDrive, that let me borrow e-books and audiobooks, read or listen to them, and then return them all on my iPhone or iPad.  Let's get started learning how to find audiobooks on Libby and OverDrive, so you can have as much fun exploring and "reading" these free audiobooks as I am! 

Seagate has been in the data storage business since the prehistoric PC days. But unlike the dinosaurs, the company has continued to evolve its capabilities to match the changing technology market. With mobile devices superseding the PC market, Seagate has developed a mobile-friendly product that combines its spinning disk drive storage platform with wireless connectivity. Seagate's Wireless Plus Mobile Storage ($179.99) device allows users to wirelessly connect to the portable hard drive to store over a terabyte of photos, videos, documents, and other files. The device can also connect to Macs and PCs via a wired USB 3.0 connection. The same wired connection is how the device's battery can be recharged for up to 10 hours of portable use.

The PGA Championship will be here again before we know it, and this year will be played August 9 through 12 at the Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. This event marks the 100th anniversary of the championship tournament, and if you've been hoping to catch PGA TV coverage without cable, now is a great time to start making your streaming plan. We'll need to know which networks are airing the golf tournament this year, and which streaming services include these networks, so we don't miss any of the action. Let's get started learning how to watch the 2018 PGA Championship on Apple TV without cable. 

Learn how to use Podcast settings to limit the number of automatic podcast episode downloads on your iPhone. Podcasts are entertaining, educational, and free in the Podcast app, so there's a temptation to subscribe to every one that catches our fancy. Unfortunately, though, if the podcasts you've subscribed to are automatically downloading, they can very quickly eat up a lot of your iPhone storage. There's a way to limit the number of episodes that your iPhone automatically downloads, so you can stop podcasts from using too much storage space. You can even set this episode limit at different numbers for different podcasts you're subscribed to! Let's get started learning how to limit podcast downloads.

Splurging on a $7.99 iOS game is not something I make a habit out of, but Oceanhorn is well worth the price. While some will dismiss it as a Zelda-like action adventure, I would argue that even calling it that is a compliment. Especially since you can’t play Zelda on your iPhone—comparing Oceanhorn, oringally an iOS game, to one of the most successful game franchises in history is a massive tip of the hat. And one that I think is well deserved. If you enjoy an action adventure game with a strong storyline, beautifully animated world, and addictive gameplay, Oceanhorn is right for you. Learn more about the game Oceanhorn and why we love it below.

If you weren’t able to tune in live or if you’d like to watch it again, here’s the workshop video for Top (Useful!) Hidden Features on iPhone. This workshop’s goal is to reveal useful features you likely aren’t aware of on your device and show you how to use them. Thank you to everyone who joined us and all of you who watch it now. This has been the best workshop so far; Donna and I had a blast with you all. Plus, we had over 400 of you join us live! So again, thank you! Learn more on what we covered and watch the full replay below.

If you're getting in the zone on a good workout, listening to your music, and feeling the endorphin rush, then the interruption of a notification from your Apple Watch can mess up your rhythm. Luckily, all you have to do is open your Watch app, go to the General settings page, select Do Not Disturb, and activate Workout Do Not Disturb. Then your watch will automatically enter Do Not Disturb mode any time you start a workout, and your running or rowing will be the "me time" you need. Let's get started.

In the 86th episode, the iPhone Life team tells you everything you need to know about Apple's iOS 12 Public Beta program and whether or not you should join it. Listen is as Donna walks you through the process of preparing your device and signing up, and learn the reasons why David is waiting for the official release and and why Sarah says the Beta is worth going for.

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