Apple’s new Messages via satellite feature on the iPhone 14 and later is so impressive that Adam Engst recommends everyone in the US and Canada with a compatible iPhone upgrade to iOS 18 to add the capability to their emergency preparedness kit. Adam also explores Guided Access, a little-known feature of iOS and iPadOS that lets you temporarily lock a device to a single app so someone else can use it without worrying about them causing trouble or seeing private data. In AppBITS, we look at FileUtils, which adds numerous geeky features to the Finder. Finally, we briefly cover California’s move to regulate AI and share a podcast discussing the iPhone’s 80% charging limit. Notable Mac app releases this week include Mellel 6.0.7 and Parallels Desktop 20.1.
If you want more from the Finder, check out FileUtils. It offers options for immediate and secure deletion of files, support for more compression formats, more powerful batch renaming, file checksums, and more path formats.
Want to let someone use an app on your iPhone or iPad without sharing your passcode? Try the Guided Access feature that’s hidden deep within iOS and iPadOS. It prevents users from straying into other apps and keeps your notifications private.
The ability to communicate while outside cellular coverage using Messages via satellite is so useful that Adam Engst recommends everyone with an iPhone 14 or later upgrade to iOS 18 for disaster preparedness—especially if you’re in Hurricane Alley.
Watchlist
Restores QuickLook and thumbnail previews for Mellel files when running macOS 15 Sequoia. ($69.99 new, free update, 97.5 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Adds support for macOS 15 Sequoia's Writing Tools in Windows apps like Microsoft Word. ($99.99 Standard Edition, free update for subscribers, macOS 10.14.6+)
