December 2024

iOS & Apple news

Apple has acquired the Pixelmator team. Pixelmator is a very successful photo editing app. John Gruber discusses possible future directions. We might see parts of it incorporated in existing Apple app(s) or Apple might move further into the photo editing space and create an Aperture-like follow-on, or a Lightroom or a Photoshop competitor.

Wallace & Gromit bring Christmas cheer to London’s Battersea Power Station, Apple announced. Apple is promoting the Wallace & Gromit animation as part of their latest "Shot on iPhone" collection. Aardman, the animation studio that created Wallace & Gromit, filmed the stop-motion video with the Telephoto camera on eight iPhone 16 Pro Max devices. Apple announced: `From 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. today, and every day until New Year’s Eve, a pair of Christmas trees will light up the two wash towers on the landmark’s river-facing façade. Visitors will see the two characters decorate the giant trees in their own inimitable styles, despite the intervention of the mischievous Feathers McGraw. Aardman follows in the footsteps of David Hockney, who last year created Bigger Christmas Trees, drawn on iPad Pro.'

Now that Airpods Pro v2 have the heard aid feature, there are people buying 2 sets, to be able to use one while the other set is charging, as this option is still considerably less expensive than most hearing aids. Meanwhile, Apple has released a holiday ad, titled Heartstrings:

Apple's AirTags have become very popular for traveling and tracking suitcases by passengers. Soon, with iOS 18.2 (currently in beta), users will be able to share a secure link with the location of an AirTag or Find My network accessory with others — and soon, with airlines. `While more than 99 percent of checked items make it to their destination as planned, we know how stressful it can be for customers when they don’t. That’s why we’re excited to support Share Item Location beginning later this year,” said Erik Snell, Delta Air Lines’ senior vice president of Airport Customer Service.'

Shazam hits 100 billion song recognitions. `That’s 12 songs identified for every person on Earth' reports Apple.

Billie Eilish is Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2024. Apple reports: `Billie Eilish was announced today as Apple Music’s Artist of the Year, recognizing the singer-songwriter’s extraordinary impact throughout 2024. Following a historic second Academy Award win and two additional GRAMMY Awards for her contribution to Greta Gerwig’s feature-length film Barbie, “What Was I Made For?,” Billie released her third full-length album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. At once vulnerable and bold, it’s the sound of a generational artist taking a massive leap forward — and the best music of her career. Upon release, the album soared to No. 1 on Apple Music’s all-genre albums chart in 138 countries worldwide.'

Apple Podcasts names Hysterical the 2024 Show of the Year. `Apple is proud to celebrate Hysterical with the Apple Podcasts Award, a recognition given each year to honor a show that demonstrates quality and innovation in podcasting. The seven-part series, produced by Wondery and Audacy’s Pineapple Street Studios, investigates a mysterious illness that spreads among a group of high school girls in upstate New York.'

Apple shares the most popular podcasts of 2024.

Apple has launched Apple Music Replay for 2024 for subscribers to view and play their 2024 music trends. `iPhone users on iOS 18.1 or later can now access the Replay 2024 experience directly in the Apple Music app, from the Home, New, and Search tabs. Users with previous iOS versions can still access the experience at replay.music.apple.com.', Macrumors reports.

[ RUMOR ] Supposedly, Apple is planning a foldable iPhone for 2026, according to a display market analyst.

iOS apps

Apple reveals 45 app and game finalists for the 2024 App Store Awards.

Tripsy is one of the apps that Apple listed among the finalists (above). The app offers a free version and a yearly subscription with extra features; the yearly subscription option is 50% off through today (Dec 3).

Bear is a notes app that keeps adding features. Version 2.3 has added multiple highlighting colors.

privacy & security

SURVEILLED is a new documentary released by Max/HBO shows journalist Ronan Farrow investigating spyware and how your cell phone could be spying on you. `He uncovers the multi-billion-dollar spyware industry in a real-world horror story.'

Ronan Farrow is interviewed on CNN about his findings:

One recommendation that Farrow makes is to reboot your iPhone every night. It doesn't necessarily avoid Pegasus or similar infestations but it limits their scope to (up to) 24 hours.

tips & tricks

Apple provides instructions on How to clean your AirPods Pro and How to clean your Airpods.

Apple recommends micellar water to clean Airpods' mesh. Olga uses La Roche-Posay Micellar Cleansing Water , as it explicitly lists PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides in the ingredients, as Apple recommends.

How to Fix a Dry Printer Cartridge. Not using a printer for a long period of time can cause the ink inside it to dry. Instead of discarding a dry cartridge, this guide will help you to fix it.

This iOS 18 Apple tip is one you might not have seen before: When you’re a passenger, you can turn on onscreen cues that may help reduce the feeling of motion sickness. Go to Settings  Accessibility  Motion, then tap Show Vehicle Motion Cues.

gadgets & accessories

Looking for good places to buy holiday gifts? Yesterday was Cyber Monday with many sales for Apple products (in non-Apple businesses, including Amazon) or accessories for Apple products. Many of these sales are continuing for another 24 hours or a few more days. For example, Amazon has AirTags and Airpod Pro's on sale. Also consider photography stores, such as B&H Photo, or Adorama, as they often have a lot of Apple-related accessories at competitive prices.

Take Control Books has extended their sale until tonight (Dec 3) at 11:59 pm CST.

For those with a Mac mini, Roger points us to Mini Chassis (plastic) and Mini Chassis (aluminum), a vertical case for a Mac mini.

Toddy Gear offers various accessories for your iPhone, including their Wedge stand and microfibre cloths for cleaning.

watch

With watchOS 11, Live Activities are on by default. For many users, this makes using the watch a more fluid experience. However, if you prefer to avoid them, here is How to Stop Live Activities Taking Over Your Apple Watch Face.

next iPUG

Our next iPUG meeting is on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, at 7 pm MT.

Thank you for another year of iPUG fun. Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and a very happy new year.