Text better!

Learn how to use iMessage effects to make texting fun.

Lewis Wallace
February 15, 2025

In partnership with

If you’re not using Apple’s iMessage effects, it’s time to up your texting game.

You can start with old-school formatting like bold and italics — but animated text and crazy screen effects will make your text messages even more impactful.

Learn all about this fun and useful feature, which works on iPhones, iPads and Macs, in this weekend’s new how-to (also available as a video).

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Apple plans to unveil a new product next week, but what will it be?
Sounds like making Siri smarter is harder than Apple anticipated.
If your iPhone’s autocorrect keeps acting up, resetting the dictionary might fix the glitches. It just takes a second — here’s how to do it.
Did you know you can control your iPhone with nothing but your eyes? You can.
Don’t miss our review of the Tablo, a device that every cord-cutter needs, or our recap of the latest wild episode of Apple TV+ hit Severance.
And finally, Cult of Mac Deals added some interesting new products this week, including a solar power bank to keep your gear charged, a mini projector to make movie nights more fun, an RGB headphones stand to spiff up your desk, and some affordable sleep earbuds that block out snoring,

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

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How-tos

Make your texting snazzier with iMessage effects

iMessage effects can add much more meaning, emotion and fun to your texting. You can add bold, italics, underline and many animated effects.

Control your iPhone hands-free with Eye Tracking

Eye tracking is a pretty remarkable and ambitious accessibility feature that lets you control your iPhone entirely with your eyes.

How to use SD and microSD memory cards with iPhone

While your iPhone doesn’t come with a built-in microSD card reader, adding a plug-in memory card reader is easy.

How to reset iPhone's keyboard dictionary to fix autocorrect glitches

If you find that autocorrect suddenly offers up strange words, you may need to reset the keyboard dictionary on your iPhone or iPad.

Use Vehicle Motion Cues to eliminate iPhone motion sickness in cars, trains and planes

Vehicle Motion Cues will help you use your phone in the car by reducing feelings of motion sickness.

A message from The Rundown AI

Learn how to make AI work for you

AI won’t take your job, but a person using AI might. That’s why 1,000,000+ professionals read The Rundown AI – the free newsletter that keeps you updated on the latest AI news and teaches you how to use it in just 5 minutes a day.

News

Tim Cook teases new Apple product, but what is it?

Apple’s CEO announces a February 19 product launch, fueling speculation about a variety of rumored products.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds feature heart-rate monitoring

Sporty Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds get a redesign, updated specs and a first for Apple audio -- heart-rate monitoring.

Apple closes iPhone security hole with fresh software update

Bug fixes and security updates arrive in iOS 18.3.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.3.1.

Plus: The wait for iOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 begins

Apple now lets you migrate digital purchases between accounts

You can finally move your digital purchases, like apps, books and movies, from one Apple account to another.

Apple Maps changes Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America [Updated]

Apple Maps and Google Maps switched the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America after President Donald Trump ordered the name change.

Got iPhone, Apple Watch or AirPods? Join Apple's biggest health study yet.

The comprehensive new Apple Health Study investigates how technology and physical and mental well-being intersect.

Deals

Solar charging + 10,000mAh battery = never worry about a dead phone again

This solar-powered beast is built for adventure and ready to keep your devices alive. Save on a SolPro 10K Fast Charge Solar Power Bank.

Plus, more gear from Cult of Mac Deals:

$40 lifetime subscription gives you access to ChatGPT, Mistral AI and more, all in one place

Get an AI tool that brings top AI models like ChatGPT, Mistral AI and more together in one interface. Enter 1minAI, the all-in-one AI tool.

Plus, more software and services from Cult of Mac Deals:

Save big on M4 MacBook Pro or Mac mini refurbished by Apple

Refurbished M4 MacBook Pro and M4 Mac mini units in a wide range of configurations can now be purchased at considerable savings.

Reviews and recommendations

Innie Irv's last words take on new meaning as Mark breaks through [‘Severance’ recap]

Our "Severance" season 2 episode 5 recap finds refiners reeling from the loss of Irving B. as outie Scott S. makes a breakthrough.

Why every cord-cutter needs a Tablo [Review]

Nuvyyo's Tablo picks up local TV broadcasts so you can watch or record them on your TV, phone or tablet.

Tiny Planck iPhone SSD holds terabytes of ProRes video

Record over an hour of ProRes video from an iPhone Pro directly onto the ShiftCam Planck, a 2TB SSD smaller than the palm of your hand.

Compact USB-C travel charger powers your computers in 200 countries [Review]

Say goodbye to bulky international chargers. Compact but powerful, the Rolling Square Pocket Travel Charger is the perfect travel companion.

Setups

Can you use a big OLED TV as a MacBook monitor? Heck yes!

Everybody loves a big, beautiful external display in a computer setup -- and this LG OLED TV monitor is a great way to go.

Why some audiophiles choose AirPods Pro 2 over wired headphones and earbuds

In a wireless earbuds vs. wired earbuds face-off, audiophiles might prefer wired. But AirPods Pro 2 often win for their convenience factor.

Good luck finding the Mac mini in this workstation

You'd never guess this setup with a Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K monitor also features a Mac mini.