But we do have a few new features worth mentioning:

• New Pride wallpaper for iPhone and Apple Watch
• You can toggle the new Mail icons by tapping the (…) icon in the upper right corner
• AppleCare information is more prominently displayed in the Settings app
• If your child has ScreenTime restrictions on their devices, you will receive a notification on your iPhone and Mac when the ScreenTime code is used to bypass a restriction.
• Carrier satellite cellular service is supported on iPhone 13. This is different from Apple’s Satellite SOS feature. Currently, the only US cell phone provider that offers this is T-Mobile in partnership with Starlink.
• RCS messaging and Visual Voicemail are available on AT&T MVNOs such as US Mobile.

Updates Released

• iOS 18.5
• iPadOS 18.5
• watchOS 11.5
• tvOS 18.5
• HomePod 18.5
• macOS 15.5
• visionOS 2.5

And some security updates for older software

• macOS Sonoma 14.7.6
• macOS Ventura 13.7.6
• iPadOS 17.7.7 (only for select iPads that cannot run iOS 18)

To update

• Mac: Click the  menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT201541
• iPhone, iPad: Open the Settings app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT204204
• Apple Watch: First update your iPhone, then on your iPhone open the Watch app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT204641
• Apple TV: Go to the Settings app > System > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT202716
• HomePod: Updates will install automatically. To push the update along faster see the instructions in Apple Support Article HT208247
• Vision Pro: Go to the Settings app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article 118481

What is AI?

It seems like everyone is talking about AI lately as if it’s a brand-new thing. But AI has been around since the 1950s and has been used in lots of ways over the decades for things like credit card fraud detection, voice recognition, OCR, playing chess, spam filters, grammar check, and more.

In the past, this kind of technology might have been called ‘machine learning’ or ‘neural networks.’ These are just different ways AI has been built and used over time, but the umbrella term for all of it is AI. Simply put, AI is any technology that can analyze and learn rather than simple “if this, then do that” instructions that a human creates. Generally, this is done by recognizing and using patterns.

But what’s different now? Large Language Models, or LLMs, are the specific technology that people are usually talking about when they mention AI these days. These are complex systems trained on vast amounts of human writing, which allows them to predict language and respond in human-like ways. What’s impressive is how flexible they can be and how uncanny they are because they sound and write like real humans, something that we’ve never seen before.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool made by OpenAI. It can help you write, summarize, translate, organize, or explain just about anything. You can type in a simple question like “How do I make French toast?” or something more involved like “Help me write a letter to my neighbor asking them to trim their tree, but make it polite and not passive-aggressive.”

Whether you’re a student, retiree, small business owner, or just someone trying to figure out why your phone is acting up, ChatGPT can assist.

ChatGPT is just one of several Large Language Models out there, and the most popular. Others include Claude, Google Gemini, and Deepseek.

How to get started

There are several ways to use ChatGPT and they all have advantages and some features only exist on certain apps.

• The mobile app is best for dealing with photos, voice, or using it on the go
• The desktop app is best for dealing with documents and is great if you do a lot of typing
• chatgpt.com requires you to install no software, and for the simplest of requests, doesn’t require you to create an account.
• Siri integration on iPhone 15 Pro or later. Say “Siri, ask ChatGPT what herbs go well with asparagus and lemon?”
• Third-party integrations like Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity use ChatGPT for their processing.

Be careful simply searching for ChatGPT and downloading whatever app comes up. There are many apps out there that look like ChatGPT and will mention ChatGPT, but aren’t. These apps often use ChatGPT behind the scenes, which any software developer is allowed to do, and repack it into their own interface. Some of these are legitimately useful tools that have unique ways of using data, but many of them are just a cash grab.

Once you download and install the app, you need to create an account to get the most out of it. Even a free account will give you access to additional tools and keep a history of what you do. If you are mostly within the Apple ecosystem, I recommend using “Sign Up With Apple”. If you are a heavy Google user, you can use the similar Google option. Both of these allow you to sign up without having to create another password. You simply sign in with your existing Apple or Google account.

If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or later or a Mac or iPad with an M1 or later processor, you should consider connecting Siri to ChatGPT. To do this, go to the Settings app > Apple Intelligence & Siri > ChatGPT. Log in to your ChatGPT account. You may also want to consider turning off “Confirm ChatGPT Requests”. This way, if you ask Siri a question that stumps it, it will automatically pass the request along to ChatGPT.

Simple ways everyday people use ChatGPT

Here are some examples of how real people are using ChatGPT:

• Writing help: “Can you help me write a thank-you note for a retirement gift?”
• Health info: “What are some low-sodium snack ideas?”
• Tech support: “Why won’t my printer connect to Wi-Fi?”
• Travel planning: “Give me a 3-day itinerary for Rome, with walking directions.”
• Cooking: “What can I make with zucchini, eggs, and Parmesan?”
• Home maintenance: “How do I stop my faucet from dripping?”
• Learning: “Explain cryptocurrency to me like I’m in high school.”
• Brainstorming: “Give me five ideas for a 12-year-old’s birthday theme party”
• Pop culture: “Summarize the main plot points of Hacks Season 3 so that I’m ready to watch season 4”
• Translation: Take a photo of a page in another language and ask, “Translate this to English, and explain any cultural context that might not be obvious to an American English speaker.”

Power tools

ChatGPT has some tools that are designed for more specific tasks. I’m not going to get into the specifics of how to do it because it will be different on web, mobile, and desktop apps, and they are constantly changing how these work. These include:

• Image and document uploading: you can take photos or load photos from your library to ask all kinds of questions about the content, like “how do I fix this?” or “explain this sign to me,” or “what can I cook with these items in my fridge and pantry?”
• Image generation: ask it to make an image or to manipulate an image. It helps to be extremely specific about the details. Ask for an image in a particular style, or a specific aspect ratio, or with a specific character. Or take a photo of a concept sketch and ask to make it real.
• Advanced Voice Mode: tap the waveform icon in a conversation to start conversing with ChatGPT (not the microphone icon; that’s simply dictation). This can be useful if you want to brainstorm while driving or if you simply prefer to talk rather than type. Requires a paid plan.
• Video mode: while in Advanced Voice Mode, tap the video camera icon so that ChatGPT can “see”. Technically, the way it works is that it takes periodic photos as you are conversing. This is useful for all kinds of things, like feedback on your houseplant health to help with a repair project.
• Canvas: ask it to draft a document or article, which you can then edit or ask ChatGPT to edit for you.
• Web search: ChatGPT can search for information on the web. Otherwise, it only has world knowledge from the point at which it was trained, usually a year or two ago. This is useful as a Google replacement.
• Tasks: ask it to perform a query at a set interval. I have one that, every Thursday afternoon, gives me a list of things I can do that weekend in San Francisco.
• Projects: create a project that has custom instructions. Each conversation started within a project follows those set instructions.
• Temporary Chat: when toggled on, ChatGPT doesn’t remember your queries, and they will not affect its memory.
• Sora video generation: ask it to create a short video clip. This requires a paid account and is done on the Sora website.

Going a step further: advanced queries

You can also include more detailed instructions to get better results:

• Tone: “Write a funny but respectful birthday message.”
• Parameters: “Give me a meal plan that’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and uses overlapping ingredients.”
• Additional data: “Summarize this article for me” (then paste the article).
• Photo support: You can even upload an image and ask questions about it, like “What kind of plant is this?” or “Why is this error message showing on my computer screen?”
• Ask ChatGPT to query you: Sometimes, you don’t know what you should be asking or what information you should provide. You can add to the end of one of your queries, “Ask me 3 questions that will help you create a better answer.”

The more you give it, the better it does. For example, a friend once asked it simply, “Help me write a letter to the IRS.” The result was too vague. But when she added details like the year, the issue, the tone she wanted, and the key facts, the letter came out professional and ready to send. Giving ChatGPT more information is like giving a GPS the full address instead of just a city name—you’ll get where you’re going a lot faster and more accurately. Think of it like giving your assistant more background so they can help you more accurately. Don’t be afraid of giving it too much data—you can paste crash reports, system log files, add things you don’t think are relevant, and you can ramble on.

Here are some real examples I’ve asked:

I am interested in buying an electric vehicle, probably used. Can you create a table for me comparing my current car, the Hyundai IONIQ 2019 plug-in hybrid, with the 2022 Kia EV6, the 2021 VW ID.4, and any other cars you think I might be interested in. My requirements are that it has at least 200 mile range, has CarPlay, and it’s a compact hatchback that can sell in the 20,000 to 30,000 range used. I want to compare range, charging speed, body length and width, acceleration, and also in the table include pros and cons from reviews.

This conversation narrowed my purchase down to a VW ID.4 that I’m really happy with!

I have a big grease stain from butter in my brown khakis (cotton) that didn’t come out. I tried washing it with dawn in the sink before running it through the washing machine. Any other tips?

It suggested Murphy’s Oil Soap, which worked perfectly!

Understanding the different models

There are a few versions of ChatGPT, and they’re named in ways that don’t really make sense. Such as GPT-4 or 4o or o3-mini. Each of them excels at different things, such as images or logic or speed or creativity, or coding. It’s best to try different ones and see how they work for you, and rely on the descriptions in the dropdown menu. It was announced that when GPT-5 is released this summer, the software will automatically select the best one for the job.

Free vs. paid plan

ChatGPT is offered in 3 different levels: Free, Plus, and Pro. The differences among them are constantly changing, usually with new features starting only at the top and then later trickling down. But currently

• Free plan: Great for basic writing, planning, and answering questions. Extremely limited access to more advanced features like image generation and more powerful models.
• ChatGPT Plus ($20/month): Lots of access to more powerful models like reasoning and image generation. The system has better memory of your discussions, which it can use later. Access to Advanced Voice Mode with video chat. Limited access to research mode.
• ChatGPT Pro ($200/month): This provides more access to research mode, and the computer will think longer and harder about big questions and complex problems. Usage is virtually unlimited. This is mostly used by researchers and academics who want to look for patterns or analyze data, or by programmers who want to get better code.

If you’re just curious or if you need it for basics like cooking ideas and simple questions, the free version will do just fine. But if you find yourself using it often or for more demanding tasks, the paid plan is worth a look. If you are unsure, I would suggest starting with the free plan and then trying the paid plan for a month to see if it works better for you. If you are using it in your job, I definitely recommend Plus or Pro.

Accuracy

AI is getting better all the time. It’s becoming faster, more efficient, and more accurate. And shockingly quickly! Part of the reason is that they are using AI to improve AI, creating a snowball effect.

You do have to be cautious, especially when your requests have real-world consequences. AI often “hallucinates” or makes things up when it doesn’t know the answer. To be fair humans often do the same and we call it “bullshitting”. Some computers and people just don’t like saying “I don’t know.” Be sure to check its sources and use your common sense.

Final tips

• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try fun prompts like, “Write that again, but make it sound like Julia Child,” or “Turn this into a poem in the style of Dr. Seuss.” While this may sound silly, it’s a great exercise to learn the power of the software. You can also say things like, “Try that again, but shorter,” or “Make it sound more casual.”
• You can ask follow-up questions. It remembers the thread of the conversation.
• If you’re stuck, just type what you’re trying to do in plain language. It’ll usually understand.
• Even if you don’t know exactly what to say, just start typing or talking. ChatGPT is really good with vague requests. How many times have you asked yourself, “What was that movie with that guy with white hair from the show about advertisers?” There is a good chance ChatGPT knows exactly what you’re talking about!

If you’d like help setting up ChatGPT on your device, or want to learn how to get the most out of it, let me know. I offer one-on-one sessions to help you get comfortable using it like a pro!

Today’s releases include:

• iOS 18.4.1
• iPadOS 18.4.1
• macOS 15.4.1
• Home Pod 15.4.1
• tvOS 15.4.1
• visionOS 2.4.1

Missing from the list seems to be watchOS and any prior OS.

To update

• Mac: Click the  menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT201541
• iPhone, iPad: Open the Settings app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT204204
• Apple Watch: First update your iPhone, then on your iPhone open the Watch app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT204641
• Apple TV: Go to the Settings app > System > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT202716
• HomePod: Updates will install automatically. To push the update along faster see the instructions in Apple Support Article HT208247
• Vision Pro: Go to the Settings app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article 118481

Apple’s new Passwords app on the latest software for iPhone, iPad, or Mac provides a manual alternative that may work better, even with your Android friends or people not in your Contacts app. Tap the Wi-Fi collection to see all your remembered networks, select the desired network (your current network will be at the top). Tap the dots to reveal the password. Rather than read the code to your friend, especially if it has lots of complicated capitalization and symbols, you can tap Show Network QR Code. When they scan the QR code using their phone, they will instantly join the network.

(Featured image by iStock.com/PrathanChorruangsak)

Several airlines have officially started to support this feature so that you can easily help the airline find your luggage when filing a report. This includes:

• Aer Lingus
• Air Canada
• Air New Zealand
• Austrian Airlines
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Eurowings
• Iberia
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Qantas
• Singapore Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines
• Turkish Airlines
• United
• Virgin Atlantic
• Vueling

(Featured image by iStock.com/yacobchuk)

• Mail now asks whether you wish to continue using categories
• iPad and Mac get the new Mail app with optional categorization
• iPhone Apple Intelligence has the ability to show you the most important notifications at the top of your Lock Screen
• Apple News+ gets a new “Food” section with recipes, restaurant reviews, and more
• Image Playground gets a new “Sketch” style
• Photos app gets additional photo filtering options
• iPhone gets a Vision Pro app to manage your Apple Vision Pro if you have one
• iPhone gets new Ambient Music Controls for Control Center
• iPhone can now be used to easily set up your iCloud account on a new M4 Mac, kind of like it does with Apple TV
• iPhone 15 Pro gets Visual Intelligence support via the Action Button or Control Center
• Apple Home supports Robot Vacuums via Matter (very limited number of models supported)
• Shortcuts gets the ability to change many app settings
• Apple Vision Pro gets Apple Intelligence features
• Apple Vision Pro gets a Spatial Gallery app to discover video content designed for the device
• A handful of new emoji, such as fingerprint and radish

The software released today is:

• iOS 18.4
• iPadOS 18.4
• macOS Sequoia 15.4
• watchOS 11.4
• tvOS 18.4
• HomePod 18.4
• visionOS 2.4
• Software for older devices:
  • macOS Sonoma 14.7.5
  • macOS Ventura 13.7.5
  • iPadOS 17.7.6
  • iOS 16.7.11
  • iPadOS 16.7.11
  • iOS 15.8.4
  • iPadOS 15.8.4
  • Safari 18.3.1

To update

• Mac: Click the  menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT201541
• iPhone, iPad: Open the Settings app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT204204
• Apple Watch: First update your iPhone, then on your iPhone open the Watch app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT204641
• Apple TV: Go to the Settings app > System > Software Update. Apple Support Article HT202716
• HomePod: Updates will install automatically. To push the update along faster see the instructions in Apple Support Article HT208247
• Vision Pro: Go to the Settings app > General > Software Update. Apple Support Article 118481

This month 23andMe filed for bankruptcy. And here’s the part that should concern you: their assets are being auctioned off to the highest bidder. That includes your DNA data and biological samples.

Yes, the most personal information about you—your biological blueprint—could soon be in the hands of a company you’ve never heard of, with goals that don’t align with yours. And once your DNA data is out there, it can’t be “undone.”

Why this matters

The most obvious scenario? A buyer who wants to sell your data to insurance companies. If your genetic profile suggests you might develop certain health conditions later in life, an insurer could use that to deny you coverage, charge you higher premiums, or flag you as a financial risk

Even if you’re currently covered, switching policies or jobs in the future could get tricky. And while there are some laws that restrict how this data can be used, they vary by state and can change over time. It’s not worth the gamble.

What you can do now

Thankfully, you can delete your 23andMe account and request that your data be wiped from their systems. They provide a support article with details on how to do this.

This will permanently delete your genotyping results and all stored data, and you won’t be able to recover it later.

Should I be worried if I used their service years ago?

Yes. Unless you explicitly deleted your account and data at the time, your information could still be on file. That includes your raw DNA data, family relationships, health risk profiles, and more.

Can’t I just delete the app or my password?

Unfortunately, no. Deleting the app or removing your login from the Passwords app won’t do anything to remove your data from their servers. It will just delete it from your phone. You must go through the official account closure process to request permanent deletion.

It’s easy to forget that in the digital age, what you did years ago can come back to haunt you. But with something as personal as your DNA, the risk isn’t just identity theft—it’s discrimination based on your biology.

Take a few minutes today to protect yourself. Then tell a friend or family member to do the same.

(Featured image by iStock.com/BrianAJackson)

(Featured image by iStock.com/Arkadiusz Warguła)

Throughout that time, users have clamored to be able to merge accounts. Apple’s response was to let devices have a primary Apple Account for iCloud and other key features, plus another specifically for Media & Purchases. Others worked around the limitation by adding the second account to a Family Sharing group. That sufficed for most people but was never ideal, and I continue to field questions from people who want to merge the accounts.

It now appears that hell has frozen over, as Apple recently published three support articles detailing how to migrate apps, music, TV shows, books, and other digital purchases from one of your Apple Accounts to another, effectively merging them:

• About migrating Apple Account purchases between accounts
• Migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another Apple Account
• Undo a migration of Apple Account purchases between accounts

It’s important to note that migrating purchases from a secondary account to a primary account is not exactly the same as merging them. iCloud data, account balances, and personalized recommendations in Apple’s media apps won’t transfer from the secondary account to the primary, nor will TestFlight betas for those who test apps for developers. Additionally, you will not be able to edit App Store reviews created with your secondary Apple Account after migration. The secondary account doesn’t go away, which also prevents certain other uses.

Normally, I’d tell you how to perform the migration, but because there are so many details and caveats, I recommend that you carefully read and follow Apple’s documentation linked above instead, especially since Apple may update it with new information as the feature gets more use. It explains:

• Why you might want to migrate purchases
• What happens when you migrate purchases
• What doesn’t migrate with your purchases
• What happens to your secondary account after migration
• Who can migrate purchases
• What to do before you migrate purchases
• How to migrate purchases
• What to do after migrating purchases
• Why you might not be able to migrate purchases
• What to do if you decide to undo a migration
• How to undo a migration of purchases
• What happens if you undo a migration of purchases
• What to do after you undo a migration of purchases

I’m happy to walk you through a migration, but if you can’t migrate purchases, you should call Apple Support. The list of reasons why a migration may not work is long and technical, and Apple Support may have access to internal data that will explain the problem.

If you have long suffered with maintaining multiple Apple Accounts, now’s your chance to clean up the mess. Good luck!

(Featured image based on an original by iStock.com/metamorworks)