Hey Siri, save me some money

January 15, 2022

I've been using HomeKit for years, and I didn't realize you could use Siri to schedule one-off automations. It just never occurred to me.

It makes perfect sense if you're forgetful, though. A simple command like, "Hey Siri, turn off my space heater in 20 minutes" could spare you from an outrageous electric bill.

The possibilities are endless. Cult of Mac writer Ed Hardy talks about this little-known HomeKit capability, and explains its benefits and limitations, in this week's top how-to.

Also this week: Dig into loads of rumors on all kinds of Apple devices. And check out our review of a must-see movie that finally arrived on Apple TV+.

Enjoy your weekend!

– Lewis Wallace, managing editor

P.S. Don't miss out on this week's sales on great Apple accessories in the Cult of Mac Store. You can get 15% off everything from Elkson and Mifa through January 20.

How-tos

You know you can turn on a HomeKit accessory by talking to Siri, but are you aware you can order devices to turn on or off at some point in the future just as easily? Here’s how to set impromptu schedules for your HomeKit accessories with Siri commands.

A growing number of Firefox users on Mac (and Windows) report that they are unable to load any websites. The browser hangs indefinitely and shows nothing at all, thanks to what seems like a background server error. The good news is that there is a relatively simple fix that you can implement.

The next-generation version of the Dropbox app for macOS, which finally adds native support for Apple silicon chips, is now available to all in beta. Here's how to give it a whirl.

News and opinion

The displays in the two “standard” iPhone 14 versions will be upgraded to 120Hz, according to a prediction by an industry analyst.

Plus, more iPhone and iPad rumors:

iPhone (and iPad) users get “bug fix” updates that take care of some problems.

Starting next week, the hit battle royale game will be available to stream through Nvidia’s GeForce now, complete with brand-new touch controls. Here's how to get in on the action.

One of the most hotly anticipated products of 2022 could be delayed.

Plus, more on Apple headsets:

After the original version of the word game, available to play for free in a web browser, went viral, some developers saw an opportunity to capitalize. Apple said "not so fast."

Rumor has it the iPhone 14 Pro will dump the screen notch for a pill-shaped camera hole. A concept artist turned the unconfirmed report into a possible design for Apple’s 2022 flagship phone.

It seems it’s not that difficult to make millions of dollars on the App Store if you’re willing to charge people for a “free” service -- and you have money to spend on blatantly bogus reviews.

Deals

The Alpha Z Pro 4K + Flying Fox 4K Wide Angle Dual Camera Drones are advanced quadcopters capable of capturing high-def imagery. In this package deal, you can get them both for less than the price of a single drone.

Having a different cable for every device and every function is annoying and unnecessary. The InCharge X Charging Cable is a 6-in-1 keyring cable compatible with iOS and Android. And you can get it in blue, beige or black for only $21.99.

Amazon has an answer for what to do with that gift card you received over the holidays. The recently released AirPods 3 are once again selling for their lowest price ever: $139.99. And there are significant deals on AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 as well.

The 2022 Complete Power Coder Bootcamp Bundle comes with eight courses on some of the most popular coding languages in the world. And, for a limited time, it’s on sale for $34.99 (regularly $1,600).

It’s OK to admit it: Our love of the latest tech is essentially spurred by our desire to have a cabinet full of James Bond-worthy spy gadgets.

Reviews

WaterField Designs’ AirTag Leather Keychain looks a little like a squid’s head. It's big, bold and extremely high-quality -- but it's not necessarily for everyone.

The OWC Mercury Pro U.2 Dual can handle up to eight U.2 SSDs. And it can be preconfigured with up to 64TB. That’s a lot of storage capacity.

Why wear Apple Watch on your wrist like a filthy commoner when you can carry it like a pocket watch?

Joel Coen's experimental Shakespeare remake has it all -- great writing, great acting and a great visual style. Now streaming on Apple TV+.

Setups

You don’t have to spend a zillion bucks and a year of your life putting together a highly effective workstation.

This technologist runs a global “boutique AV, IT [and] cyber systems integration company" from a home office in London. Clearly, he has a lot to do. And he does it using a late-2013 Mac Pro.

Basic Apple Guy has been an Apple fan since high school shop class, when he convinced the teacher that making an iMovie on an iMac G3 should fit into the curriculum. Decades later, his passion lives on.