iPhone Life Magazine

When Apple releases new software, it takes time to know which features you’ll find most useful. At first, brand-new features like photo cutout, apps like Freeform (power to you if you use it!), or tools like Stage Manager on the iPad and Mac can seem most exciting. But which iOS 16 features are you naturally weaving into your daily life? Those are the important ones. Here are mine: Commitment-Phobe? Try Photo Shuffle: It’s hard to choose just one Lock Screen photo, but I also don’t want Apple surprising me with random memories from my library. This feature lets me curate a selection of my favorite pictures. I chose to see shots of my niece and nephew, so I can wake my phone when I’m missing them. Weather Widgets for the Win: When…

Midnights by Taylor Swift on Apple Music ($4.99/month) “I’ve loved Taylor Swift since I first discovered her in 2008, and her new album does not disappoint. While the album’s sound is cohesive, the songs run the gamut of emotions, from hope and elation to despair and regret. I signed up for Apple Music specifically to listen to her new album in Spatial Audio and this feature really does take listening to the next level.” - Amy Spitzfaden-Both, Managing Editor STM Dux 16L Slim Backpack ($229.95) “Backpacks often conjure images of school kids or mountain hikers—but not the Dux. STM’s slim design and padded black panels give it a casual but cool street wear look I’m happy to be seen in. With compartments for my M1 MacBook Air, thermos of coffee, and charging cables, the…

What has 60 hours of battery life, a built-in dive computer, emits an 86-decibel emergency alarm, and costs a whopping $799? The new Apple Watch Ultra! Rumors of a more rugged Apple Watch have been circulating for years, yet the dramatic announcement last fall (complete with life and death rescue scenes) still managed to shock fans worldwide. As a die-hard Apple Watch fan, I bought this top-of-the-line smartwatch without a second thought. Though I may not be the target demographic for this extreme watch, I have no regrets about my extravagant purchase. LARGER THAN LIFE The Ultra is the biggest Apple Watch to date, not only in size but also in technological scope. With a display just under two inches diagonally, the Ultra is thicker and heavier than any other Apple Watch…

Virtual reality headsets are far from a new concept and, at this point, not even a new device. We live in a time when children receive VR headsets as a pricey but reasonable holiday gift. While they’re not quite a household feature yet, many of us at least know someone who has one. So, what is Apple’s plan for stepping into this arena? We’ve been hearing about a possible virtual reality headset from Apple for some time now, and by the looks of it, one might be on the way soon. SO… WHAT IS IT? If you’ve seen any media from the ‘80s or ‘90s depicting the technical future, you’ve almost certainly seen someone with a headset that displays things to the wearer that aren’t physically there. A virtual reality headset is…

SWEET iOS 16 Back when I got my first smartphone, I’d roll my eyes and ignore updates, assuming I’d have to interrupt my daily phone usage for some backend improvements I’d never see evidence of. Imagine my surprise when I switched to an iPhone and my first big iOS update brought along a brand-new layout and a virtual guided tour of all the new features. Fast forward 10 years, and I’m downloading beta versions of the new iOS so I can get my hands on all the newest features months before it’s released to the public. All this to say: I love Apple’s annual updates. iOS 16 brings us some long-awaited changes. From customizing your Lock Screen in new ways to creating multi-stop routes in Apple Maps, this year focused not so much…

Create the Lock Screen of Your Dreams Before, you could choose a background image for your Lock Screen and that was it. Now you can create several Lock Screens and switch between them. Tap and hold your Lock Screen until you see the option to Customize. Tap the blue plus icon. Here you’ll see the Add New Wallpaper menu where you can find preset themes, like weather and astronomy. To add a photo from your personal photo library, tap the Photos icon. You can also view suggestions your iPhone curates. When you’re satisfied, tap Add. Tap Set as Wallpaper Pair if you want your Home and Lock Screens to match or Customize Home Screen if you don’t (we’ll go over that below). Jazz Up Your Time & Date Tired of the same old…