The Weekender
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6 ways Siri can make your day

6 ways Siri can make your day

Apple's virtual assistant possesses some surprising hidden talents.

Lewis Wallace
March 25, 2023

Siri seems to be getting worse all the time, but I haven’t yet given up on Apple’s AI assistant. I still use Siri every day, on multiple devices, and yet I only knew one of the tricks in today’s new how-to.

Check it out and see how many of those 6 “secret” Siri features you already knew about.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

The first iPhone app written almost entirely by AI just made it into the App Store. And we’ve got an interview with the developer who used ChatGPT to write the code.
Speaking of AI, we’ve got an exclusive discount on powerful AI photo editor Luminar Neo.
The DEA tried using an AirTag to take down an illegal drug operation.
The latest Apple rumors point to new AirPods in the offing, plus a couple of things coming to the iPhone: a potentially confusing mute button and a long-overdue feature.
And finally, there’s a disgusting new iPhone accessory on the market: artificial lips that turn your handset into a “kissing machine.” 🤢

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

How-tos

6 secret Siri tricks and features

Siri can do quite a few things besides setting timers and dictating texts. Here are six Siri requests you might find surprising or handy.

What happens when you report texts as spam?

How can you report all the spam texts you get on your iPhone, and what happens after you report them?

How to contact emergency services via satellite with iPhone 14

An iPhone 14 can save your neck by sending out an SOS for help over a satellite connection. Here's how to use the feature.

Fix the mess caused by Sign in with Apple and Hide My Email

If you use Apple’s privacy features, you can wind up with lots of garbage in the digital junk drawer that is iCloud Settings. Here’s how to find, manage and/or delete it.

News

First ChatGPT-generated app hits the App Store

5 Movies, likely the first iPhone app generated almost entirely by ChatGPT, was approved by Apple and published on the App Store late Thursday night.

Plus: How indie dev used ChatGPT to build an iPhone app from scratch

Feds deploy AirTag in war on illegal narcotics

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency put an AirTag into an item that was suspected to be on its way to illegal drug dealers.

Let’s hope the latest iPhone 15 leak is wrong

The mute switch in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max supposedly will be replaced with a touch-sensitive button. That could be a problem.

Plus, more Apple rumors and leaks:

Missing someone? Pair iPhone with this creepy new kissing machine.

COVID-19 lockdowns in China didn't just mess up iPhone production, they inspired the invention of a bizarre new machine with fake lips.

Former Apple engineer explains why Siri still sucks

Apple's Siri voice assistant can't compete with ChatGPT and other chatbots because it was built with the wrong system.

Steve Jobs returns from the grave as a chatty AI

Despite being dead for more than a decade, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is back answering questions as an AI chatbot. Kind of.

Deals

Make AI your photo editor with a lifetime subscription to Luminar Neo [Exclusive discount]

Luminar Neo uses the power of artificial intelligence to edit, refine and stylize photos. And now, you can grab a lifetime license to the app, bundled with other impressive photo editing add-ons, at a special price just for Cult of Mac readers.

Travel without roaming charges when you get $50 of eSIM data for only $20

Avoid roaming fees and hit the ground running on your next foreign adventure with this great deal on international eSIMs.

Save space and cut cable clutter with this 4-in-1 charging hub

This compact power station lets you power up four devices simultaneously, and it’s now only $59.99 (regularly $99).

Plus, more hardware deals:

Get safe, ad-free browsing on 10 devices with this $35 VPN

Keep your web browsing safe with AdGuard, an easy-to-use VPN that works on Mac or Windows computers, plus iPhone and Android devices.

Run Windows apps on Mac seamlessly with this easy-to-use software

Tired of the slowness of running Windows emulators on your Mac? Meet the CrossOver Windows compatibility app.

Reviews and recommendations

Roy Kent scores twice in game of life this week on ‘Ted Lasso’ [Apple TV+ recap]

The Apple TV+ show about an American soccer coach killin’ em with kindness in London finds a new player in the mix and new hurdles at work.

Plus, more Apple TV+ recaps:

OtterBox iPhone case’s pop-up handle plays nice with MagSafe [Review]

The new OtterGrip Symmetry Series case protects your iPhone, plus it includes a pop-up handle.

In ‘Shrinking’ season finale, closure comes all too easy [Apple TV+ recap]

It’s wedding time this week on the Apple TV+ comedy where no one has problems — and everyone has to solve them anyway.

Plus, more season finale recaps:

Magnet keeps slick silicone Apple Watch band in place

SwitchEasy's Skin Silicone Magnetic Apple Watch Band is a jack-of-all-trades sort of strap — comfy, stylish, durable and waterproof.

Future-proof your iPhone gaming with this Lightning and USB-C controller [Review]

The RiotPWR RP1950 game controller easily plugs into today's iPhone, but also into the USB-C port in iPad and future iPhones.

Setups

Mac Studio stacked on Mac mini looks like a Pixar robot

This setup puts a Mac Studio atop a Mac mini used as a server, resulting in amusement as well as practical advice.

How fast can you spot the MacBook Pro in this super-clean rig?

One thing computer-setup fans value on social media is a "clean" workstation. This one even hides the laptop and iPad.

A MacBook Pro makes a questionable monitor stand

At first, this setup appeared to lack even a computer. But then we realized the laptop was stashed away in unusual fashion.