The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by guest, Jill McKinley, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet. we delve into the beta releases of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. Joined by co-hosts Jill McKinley, Marty Jensius, and Jeff Gamet, we discuss new features, including AI capabilities and our experiences with the updates. We speculate on an upcoming Apple event and the potential release of new MacBook Pros. The conversation also covers the significance of mobile VPNs, the popularity of the Apple Watch Ultra, and the rumored 2026 tabletop robotic home device. Finally, we celebrate Apple Maps' accessibility for Firefox users. The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com 
Direct Link to Audio  Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it! Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee  Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios Website: In Touch With iOS YouTube Channel In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard Facebook Page Mastodon X Instagram Threads Spoutible Topics and Summary In this episode of In Touch With iOS, we dive deep into the latest advancements in Apple's ecosystem, with a focus on the recent beta releases of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. I'm joined by guest Jill McKinley and Marty Jencius, along with Jeff Gamet. Together, we explore the new features, enhancements, and our experiences with Apple’s latest offerings. We kick off our discussion by examining the newly seeded developer betas, which bring exciting updates for iPhone and iPad users. The introduction of Apple intelligence garners significant attention, and we all share our first impressions. Jill shares her experience with running the beta on her iPad, discussing features like photo customization and AI email summarization. Marty and I chime in, expressing our enthusiasm for the potential of Apple intelligence, albeit with the recognition that there’s still room for improvement. The conversation then shifts to the upcoming Apple event, anticipated to showcase new products as well as the official release of iOS 18. We speculate on the timing of the event and the chances of seeing new MacBook Pros with M4 processors. We also touch on the beta features for macOS Sequoia, watchOS, and tvOS, reflecting on what they could mean for users interested in multi-device setups. Next, we move into a topic that caught our interest: the ever-evolving world of VPNs on mobile devices. I share insights into the growing importance of VPN usage, especially when on public Wi-Fi networks. We break down some popular VPN options, discussing their differences and what makes them favorable for privacy-conscious users. Jill and Jeff contribute their thoughts on past experiences, while also emphasizing the need for reliability and security when browsing. Shifting topics, we explore the surprising popularity of the Apple Watch Ultra among consumers and the intriguing statistics shared about its sales performance compared to the Apple Watch SE. As an avid Apple Watch user, I voice my own experiences and temptations to upgrade, while Jill and Jeff discuss their preferences and needs when it comes to wearable technology. We all agree that understanding user experiences will be critical as new models are introduced. As we continue, we discuss Apple’s much-anticipated tabletop robotic home device rumored for a future release in 2026, which could revolutionize home automation. The idea of a device that combines functionalities of an iPad, video conferencing, and home management is captivating, though we collectively express skepticism about its necessity given current technology. Finally, we cover Apple's recent move to open up Apple Maps for Firefox users, highlighting the importance of accessibility across various platforms. As we reflect on Apple's decisi