Two shortcuts for the price of one

The upcoming release of iOS 17 will include a tweak to how shortcuts are displayed on your iPhone’s Home Screen.

For the first time, you can put two shortcuts inside one Home Screen widget.

It may not sound like a huge change, but as our how-tos writer D. Griffin Jones explains, it’s often handy to have shortcuts in pairs.

For example, you might have a Focus shortcut for work that shuts down all your social media apps and silences notifications, and another that turns everything back on again. Pairing these two is a no-brainer, and here’s how to get started.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Some tricky app developers use your device fingerprint to track you, but Apple’s cracking down.
Buy any SwitchEasy Apple Watch band — like the fabulous Skin Silicone magnetic band — and you get 50% off a cool aluminum alloy bumper case.
The adorable Hello Kitty Island Adventure game just got added to Apple Arcade.
I wish my setup looked like this. Alas, it looks more like a municipal rubbish dump.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Save Home Screen space with two shortcuts in one small widget [Pro Tip]

You can fit two shortcuts into a single small widget in iOS 17, a significant change for Shortcuts power users and Home Screen customizers.

www.cultofmac.com/823803/two-shortcuts-in-one-widget

Apple cracks down on apps using device fingerprinting to track users

Apple warns all App Store developers that it plans to put a stop to the unethical practice -- and punish offenders.

www.cultofmac.com/825411/apple-app-store-crack-down-device-fingerprinting-track-users

Lionel Messi brings surge of viewers to Apple soccer streaming service

Apple pinned its hopes on the soccer superstar boosting interest in its MLS Season Pass, and the gamble is apparently paying off.

www.cultofmac.com/825357/lionel-messi-apple-soccer-streaming-service-mls-season-pass

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Store}

Buy any SwitchEasy Apple Watch band, get 50% off bumper case

You get to pick from a wide array of cool Apple Watch bands in different styles and made of various materials.

www.cultofmac.com/825420/buy-any-switcheasy-apple-watch-band-get-50-off-bumper-case

Super-cute ‘Hello Kitty Island Adventure’ is latest Apple Arcade exclusive

“Hello Kitty Island Adventure” is a charming life sim game starring the world-famous feline and her adorable friends.

www.cultofmac.com/825432/supercute-hello-kitty-island-adventure-apple-arcade-exclusive

13-inch M2 MacBook Pro gets a big $200 discount

Apple's cheapest Pro laptop is even cheaper after a whopping price cut on Amazon.

www.cultofmac.com/825389/13-inch-m2-macbook-pro-big-200-discount

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

AirTag 4-pack sale beats Prime Day’s lowest price

Apple's bundle of four tracking tags is going for just $85, its lowest price in 30 days. This brings the price per AirTag to just $21.25.

www.cultofmac.com/825286/airtag-4-pack-sale-beats-prime-days-lowest-price

Jace walks a mile in someone else’s roller skates this week on ‘Swagger’ [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★★

Apple TV+ basketball drama "Swagger" takes a look at personal responsibility this week, as Jace ponders his future after taking a stand.

www.cultofmac.com/821230/swagger-apple-tv-recap-jace-crystal

‘The Beanie Bubble’ bursts right away [Apple TV+ review] ★½☆☆☆

The new Apple TV+ comedy about the 1990s Beanie Babies craze proves fleetingly persuasive but hopelessly conventional.

www.cultofmac.com/824867/the-beanie-bubble-review-apple-tv

Today in Apple history: Apple acquires the company behind Touch ID

On July 28, 2012, Apple bought a biometric authentication company. The AuthenTec acquisition gave Apple tech to power Touch ID and more.

www.cultofmac.com/440033/today-in-apple-history-apple-acquires-the-company-behind-id

Android’s Find My clone hits a snag, and Google blames Apple

The upcoming extension of Android’s Find My Device network to tracking tags has been delayed, and Google says Cupertino's to blame.

www.cultofmac.com/825340/android-find-my-clone-hits-a-snag-and-google-blames-apple

Powerful Mac Studio rig brings the symmetry [Setups]

This M1 Ultra Mac Studio setup brings not only powerhouse computing, but a few tricks of the trade for creating a delightful equilibrium.

www.cultofmac.com/825333/powerful-mac-studio-rig-brings-the-symmetry-setups

Tweetz o’ the day

Should Apple make a foldable iPhone?

Concept: Michal Dufka
— #Apple Hub (#@theapplehub)
4:21 AM • Jul 28, 2023

Tim Cook & Craig Federighi in the style of GTA:V characters. http
— #Basic Apple Guy (#@BasicAppleGuy)
2:01 PM • Jul 28, 2023

my long, unbroken obsession with taking moody iPhone snaps in airports
— #Sebastiaan de With (#@sdw)
11:09 PM • Jul 27, 2023

one of the most joyful sounds you’ll hear is power on/off sounds on your iPhone

Settings → Accessibility → Audio/Visual
— #jordan singer (#@jsngr)
9:04 PM • Jul 27, 2023

One more thing ...

❝

You just don’t want someone else to control a big part of the user experience. People may disagree with me, but I am pretty consistent about that.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Do you use Shortcuts?

Results from yesterday’s poll: If prices go up, will you balk at buying a new iPhone this year?

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