Could we please stop with the updates? It can really get confusing.
This week I was glad to learn that I’m not alone. My wife doesn’t like it. Colleagues at work don’t like it. Even my minister doesn’t like it.
I’m talking about all the updates we get on our phone…THAT WE NEVER ASKED FOR!
At first they weren’t that bad. Maybe they added some things or the camera got a little better. By now I probably have all these capabilities I don’t even know how to use. I found these videos on TikTok with iPhone hacks you probably never heard of. Of course, I need a pen and a legal pad to write down the directions. Oh, but first I have to find my “readers.”
When did I get so old?
I love the explanations for the updates.
Here’s the explanation for the latest camera update. “iOS 18 includes improvements to Night Mode, autofocus, and filters. It also includes Portrait Lighting controls and support for Night mode portraits.”
Great!
I just take pictures of my grandchildren and whenever my dog does something funny.
This was Charlie the other night. He’s half on the recliner with his head on the ottoman. How is this even comfortable?
Glad to know that I can now take pictures of the surface of the moon. And I can use Night Mode portraits too!
The Mail app also changed and I haven’t found anyone that likes this. I haven’t really asked anyone under the age of 50 but….
Everything just looks different! My friend eventually showed me how to select “ALL” so I could see all my mail. You can have “Primary,” “Transactions”, “Updates,” and “Promotions.” I just want to see my email!
Oh and let’s not forget we have eight new emojis now. Among other things there is now a harp emoji, a fingerprint emoji, a shovel emoji and an exhausted emoji. Instead of just telling someone I’m exhausted I can now SHOW them. How did we ever exist without this?
Other features include:
- Apple Intelligence
- The ability to personalize your Home Screen
- The ability to lock and hide apps. (But knowing me, I’d never be able to find them again!)
- The ability to change Lock Screen controls. (I’ll probably lock myself out of the whole darn thing!)
- Improvements to the Control Center.
And more!
My kids are probably already texting each other: “There’s been another iPhone update. Whose turn is it to help dad? I did it last time!”
And another thing…..
Have you ever deleted an app on your phone that you don’t use? Every other app moves! The apps you go to every day are now in a different spot! Unless you rearrange everything.
Or have you ever been in a public place and someone else uses the same ringtone you use? They get a call and all of a sudden you’re patting down every pocket to find your phone and the call is not even for you!
As my son would say, “Boomers and technology. What are you gonna do?”
My wife is always quick to remind him, “Hey! I taught you how to eat with a spoon!”
I guess it’s my turn to need help from the young ‘uns. With my mom I always got phone calls when she struggled with the TV remote. She used to blame my children. “They must have done something looking for their Nickelodeon.” It was usually mom who just kept pushing all kinds of buttons trying to find “Murder She Wrote.” I can’t imagine if mom had to deal with an iPhone. Scary!
Oh well.
I was watching the first season of “Law and Order: SVU” the other night. I was able to find it on a streaming service using my Firestick. (Look at me with the technology!) It was fun to watch them with their pagers and pay phones.
I wonder how long it will be before the next update? Come on iOS 19! Makes you wonder what they’ll come up with next.
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