Latest news with #Shortcuts
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
Apple's most underrated app could change soon, and you're going to love it
Apple's shortcuts app is a power user's dream. I think it's one of the most underrated features you can find on an iPhone, and even Macs. In case you haven't used it yet, it allows you to perform a multi-step task in one go, or even trigger certain actions automatically. One of my favorite shortcuts is instantly generating a QR code of a Wi-Fi network, instead of narrating a complex password. I've got another one that automatically deletes screenshots after a 30-day span. There are a few in my library that trigger Do Not Disturb mode for a certain time slot, turn any webpage into a PDF, even snap Mac windows, and activate my smart devices when I reach home. Recommended Videos All that sounds convenient, but creating those shortcuts isn't a cakewalk. The UI flow and action presets can overwhelm tech-savvy users when it comes to creating their own automations. Apple may have a user-friendly solution, thanks to AI, and you just might get it this year. Apple has the foundation ready According to Bloomberg, Apple is preparing an upgraded version of the Shortcuts app that will put AI into the mix. 'The new version will let consumers create those actions using Apple Intelligence models,' says the report. The AI models could be Apple's own, which means they are better suited for integration with system tools and apps than a third-party AI model. Take, for example, the Siri-ChatGPT integration. OpenAI's chatbot can handle a wide range of tasks that Siri can't accomplish, but ChatGPT isn't able to interact with other apps and system tools on your iPhone. That means it can't assist you with making cross-app Shortcuts either. At WWDC 2025, Apple is rumored to reveal its own AI models and open them to app developers, as well. The idea is to let developers natively integrate AI-driven features in their apps without having to worry about security concerns. Microsoft is already using in-house AI models for a wide range of Copilot experiences on Windows PCs. Moreover, the company also offers its Phi family of open AI models to developers for building app experiences. Apple just needs to follow in Microsoft's footsteps. With developers adopting Apple's AI foundations and the company expanding it to the Shortcuts app, it would be much easier to create multi-step workflows easily. How so? Well, just look at Gemini on Android phones. Shortcuts needs an AI makeover Imagine just narrating a workflow to Siri, and it's turned into a shortcut. That's broadly what AI tools are already capable of, but instead of creating a rule for the future, they just execute the task at hand immediately. With AI in Shortcuts, things should go like: 'Hey Siri, create a shortcut that automatically replies to all messages I get on weekends regarding my unavailability, and tell them to reach me again on Monday. Trigger the action when I say the words I'm out.' With natural language processing on AI models, that's feasible. Look no further than how Gemini works on Android devices, especially those with on-device Gemini Nano processing. With a voice command, Gemini can dip into your workspace data and get work done across Gmail, Docs, and more connected apps. It can even handle workflows across third-party apps such as WhatsApp and Spotify. The list keeps on growing, and as capabilities like Project Mariner and Astra are rolled out through Gemini Live, newer possibilities will open. With a revamped Shortcuts app, Apple just needs to get the voice processing right and convert the prompts into actionable commands. Apple's partner, OpenAI, already offers a feature called Operator that can autonomously handle tasks on the web. Creating a chain of commands across mobile apps that are running locally should be easier and less risky compared to browsing websites. With ChatGPT's language chops already baked at the heart of Apple Intelligence, I won't be surprised if the next-gen Shortcuts app exploits it to the fullest. Oh hey, here's a sample Talking about ChatGPT and its integration with iOS, there's already an open-source project out there that can give a rough idea of how voice commands turn into actions on an iPhone. Rounak Jain, an iOS engineer at OpenAI, has created an AI agent that transforms audio prompts into actions on an iPhone. 🚨🤖 Today, I'm launching an AI agent that gets things done across iPhone apps. It's powered by OpenAI GPT 4.1 and is open source. Try it out! — Rounak Jain (@r0unak) June 1, 2025 Jain says the demo video is built atop OpenAI's GPT-4.1 AI model, and it can get work done across multiple apps with a single voice command. For example, users can control the flashlight after sliding down the control center, click and send a picture to one of their contacts, or text travel details and book a cab. Jain's demo is a clear sign that integrating an AI model at the system level, or having it perform tasks across apps, is feasible. A similar pipeline can be integrated to turn those voice commands into shortcuts, instead of executing them immediately. I am just hoping that when Apple implements AI within Shortcuts and lets users create their own routines with natural language commands, it offers a flow where users have the flexibility to modify them at will. I believe the best approach would be to show users the chain of commands and let them make adjustments before the prompt is turned into a shortcut.
Geeky Gadgets
11-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
iOS 18 Secrets: Removing Annoying Banners & Hiding the Dock
iOS 18 introduces a range of customization options, offering users greater control over their iPhone's appearance and functionality. Among these features, the ability to remove shortcut notification banners and hide the dock stands out as a way to create a cleaner, more personalized home screen. The video below from Sam Beckman provides detailed instructions to help you implement these changes and optimize your device's interface. Watch this video on YouTube. Removing Shortcut Notification Banners When using custom app icons through the Shortcuts app, you may notice notification banners appearing each time you open an app. These banners can disrupt the seamless flow of your experience. Fortunately, iOS 18 provides two effective methods to eliminate these banners without compromising app functionality. Method 1: Add a 'Nothing' Action This method involves creating a shortcut that includes a 'Nothing' action before launching the app. By doing so, the system bypasses the notification banner entirely. This approach is straightforward and ensures a smoother app-launching experience. This method involves creating a shortcut that includes a 'Nothing' action before launching the app. By doing so, the system bypasses the notification banner entirely. This approach is straightforward and ensures a smoother app-launching experience. Method 2: Use 'Text' and 'Open App' Actions Another option is to combine a blank 'Text' action with the 'Open App' action. By placing the 'Text' action before the app launch, the banner notification is suppressed. While this method requires slightly more setup, it is equally effective in removing distractions and maintaining a clean interface. Both methods are designed to enhance your home screen experience, allowing for a more visually appealing and uninterrupted interaction with your device. Hiding the Dock with Wallpaper Customization The dock provides quick access to frequently used apps, but its appearance may sometimes clash with your home screen's aesthetic. iOS 18 allows you to hide the dock using specially designed wallpapers that seamlessly blend with the background. Follow these steps to achieve this effect: Choose Compatible Wallpapers Select wallpapers with a bottom section that matches the dock's dimensions and color. Ensure the wallpapers include both light and dark versions to align with your system's theme for a consistent appearance. Select wallpapers with a bottom section that matches the dock's dimensions and color. Ensure the wallpapers include both light and dark versions to align with your system's theme for a consistent appearance. Apply the Wallpaper Set the selected wallpaper as your home screen background. The bottom portion of the wallpaper should match the dock's color or pattern, creating the illusion of a hidden dock. Set the selected wallpaper as your home screen background. The bottom portion of the wallpaper should match the dock's color or pattern, creating the illusion of a hidden dock. Disable the Blur Effect To enhance the effect, disable the blur option in your system settings. This adjustment ensures the dock blends seamlessly with the wallpaper, resulting in a minimalist and cohesive design. By following these steps, you can effectively conceal the dock, achieving a cleaner and more polished home screen layout. Automating Wallpaper Changes For added convenience, you can automate wallpaper changes based on the time of day or your preferences. Using the Shortcuts app, set up an automation to switch between light and dark wallpapers at specific times. This feature ensures your home screen remains visually consistent and adapts to your system theme throughout the day. Looking Ahead: Potential Changes in iOS 19 While iOS 18 offers robust customization options, future updates may bring changes that impact these features. Speculation suggests that iOS 19 could introduce a redesigned dock, potentially limiting the ability to hide it using wallpaper tricks. Staying informed about upcoming updates will help you adapt your customization strategies and maintain a personalized setup that reflects your preferences. Unlock more potential in iOS 18 customization by reading previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: Sam Beckman Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Illinois offers $250 for top prize in state short film contest
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois is asking student and young filmmakers, under 22 years old, to enter the Illinois Film Office's Shortcuts Short Film Contest. The contest is put on by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The winner will receive $250 and their film will be screened at the 815HORTS festival in Rockford, which runs November 14-15. Submission guidelines are available at the . 'DCEO's Illinois Film Office continues to serve as an integral partner for the 815HORTS festival,' said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. 'I encourage eligible filmmakers throughout the state to submit their short films to the Shortcuts contest for their chance to be featured on the big screen as part of Illinois' world-class film industry.' 'We're so grateful to the Illinois Film Office for its continued partnership with 815HORTS and our film program in Rockford,' said Nicholas Povalitis, founder, Plus Seven company and program director, 815HORTS. 'With the return of Shortcuts and its integration into 815HORTS, we are now able to improve on one of our most important festival goals – reaching the many aspiring and talented student filmmakers throughout the state. It's an honor to help IFO uplift young filmmakers and we're thankful for this opportunity.' Film productions spent $653 million in Illinois in 2024. The state offers a Film Production Tax Credit and launched a Film & TV Workforce Training Program to incentivize production. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Android Authority
08-05-2025
- Android Authority
One UI 8 Watch will get a Shortcuts app, and here's what it does (APK teardown)
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung is adding a new app to One UI 8 Watch, called Shortcuts. An Android Authority teardown has revealed that this will let you add app shortcuts to your watch's home screen. Apps can be added to your wearable's home screen in 2×1 and 2×2 tiles. Samsung is expected to launch the One UI 8 Watch update later this year, bringing new features and tweaks to its Galaxy Watch line. Now, it looks like the company is working on a more convenient way to open apps on your wrist. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Samsung is adding a new app called Shortcuts to One UI 8 Watch. We dug into this app (version 1.0.00.18) and discovered that it will let you add apps as shortcuts to the smartwatch's home screen. You can view the strings below. Code Copy Text Select apps App Icon Get started Select apps Tap to add apps. Further digging reveals that you can add apps to the watch's home screen in two tile sizes (2×1 and 2×2). We were also able to obtain images of these two tile sizes, seen below. Accessing apps via the watch's home screen would be extremely convenient. This new approach would save a few seconds compared to launching apps via the app drawer. We hope you can add multiple tiles to the home screen, just in case you've got more than a few frequently used apps. This isn't our first look at One UI 8 Watch, though. We got a peek at leaked One UI 8 Watch app icons yesterday (May 7), as well as a closer look at Gemini on the new software. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
