Category Archives: Blog

There’s a feature on the Apple Watch that is intended to be able to detect your stress. And a new study claims that it actually works not only to detect your stress, but to predict it too. Or, rather, your Apple Watch can predict when you’re not stressed out — which is kind of stressful.

The existing feature allows Apple Watch owners to take an electrocardiogram — also known as ECGs or EKGs — with the ECG app directly through their watch. ECG tests record the timing and strength of your heartbeat; it’s a test doctors use to learn about your heart rhythm and look for irregularities. According to the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, doctors regularly use ECGs to perform stress tests, so it’s not surprising that Apple would want to include ECG capabilities in their new tech.

“The ECG app can record your heartbeat and rhythm using the electrical heart sensor on Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, Series 6, Series 7, Series 8 or Ultra and then check the recording for atrial fibrillation (AFib), a form of irregular rhythm,” according to Apple support. “The ECG app records an electrocardiogram which represents the electrical pulses that make your heart beat. The ECG app checks these pulses to get your heart rate and see if the upper and lower chambers of your heart are in rhythm. If they’re out of rhythm, that could be AFib.”

It was unclear how useful the Apple Watch ECG reading would be in tracking stress, though. But a new study claims the ECG feature — along with other measurements in the Apple Watch — works as a basic stress detector and can be used for stress prediction, too. According to the study published in the journal Frontiers in Digital Health, “the current models have high specificity, predicting ‘no stress’ states relatively well, [but] it lacks the predictive power to accurately predict the ‘stress’ states as of yet.”

“Overall, the results presented here suggest that, with further development and refinement, Apple Watch ECG sensor data could be used to develop a stress prediction tool,” the paper reads. “A wearable device capable of continuous, real-time stress monitoring would enable individuals to respond early to changes in their mental health. Furthermore, large-scale data collection from such devices would inform public health initiatives and policies.”

But all that extra data about our stress might just make us more stressed out.

Lindsey Rosman, a clinical health psychologist and an assistant professor of cardiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found in a research paper that a 70-year-old woman suffering from atrial fibrillation performed nearly 1,000 ECGs on her watch in a single year. The additional data didn’t lead to any alterations in the patient’s medical treatment but her constant use of the watch and fear and anxiety related to her health had a “profoundly negative impact on her mental health, relationships, and quality of life.”

This is, obviously, a pretty radical example of how technology can increase our stress, but it isn’t an isolated incident. Another study from the University of Copenhagen found that nudges from their Fitbit tracker to encourage them to go for a walk or engage in self care were a source of stress more than anything else for many users.

So, the Apple Watch can do what Apple said it could do: Track our every stressful move. But do we want it to? And is that actually good?

So you’re telling me I have to eat 12 grapes under the table, while wearing red underwear and somehow running around with a packed suitcase on New Year’s Eve? Well, not exactly.

When you’re looking for luck — whether it’s related to love, money, or travel — in the coming year, traditions can depend on your cultural background. Some well-known food traditions include tamales on New Year’s Day and hearty dishes using black-eyed peas like Hoppin’ John. (And, of course, champagne at midnight.) 

But there are so many other traditions now coming to light on TikTok. Here’s a look at some of the more interesting ones.

What’s the deal with eating 12 grapes?

If you scroll through TikTok, you may have seen a lot of users talking about eating 12 grapes at midnight. This is actually not new, dating back to 19th-century Spain.

According to Atlas Obscura, the 12 grapes signify the 12 months of the year. You eat one grape at each chime of the clock at midnight, and if you can’t finish the grapes by the time the chimes end, you will face misfortune in the new year. (TikTok user @smallbizcassie, who says she learned the tradition while living in Mexico, shares a pro tip: Use smaller grapes!)

The New Year’s custom has somewhat morphed over the course of history. Now, it’s been grafted to a Latin American tradition of sitting under a table and an Italian tradition of wearing red underwear. It can be confusing to some – just ask TikTok user @groovygrampa21, who is worried about trying to get it all done in time.

Credit: TikTok/groovygrampa21

The 12 grapes tradition also has been featured in various media, including an episode of the ABC comedy Modern Family. On a New Year’s episode from 2013, Gloria (Sofia Vergara) explains to Jay (Ed O’Neill) how that tradition helped her go from being “a single mother living in a slum” to driving to Palm Springs with her rich husband in five years.

So, if you’re in need of some of Gloria’s luck, or if you’re curious about cultural customs around the world, set aside 12 grapes for when the clock strikes midnight — just remember to chew carefully, because no one wants to start the new year off with a health emergency.

What about running with a suitcase?

As @groovygrampa21 added on her TikTok, she’s also trying to roll a suitcase behind her at midnight. What’s that about?

According to the University of Southern California’s Folklore Archives, this is likely based on a Peruvian tradition of packing a suitcase and running around the block with it. This is said to bring good luck in your travels in the coming year.

Why around the block? The folklore suggests it has to do with the cyclical nature of the calendar year. 

Whatever the reason, there are more than a few TikTok users proclaiming that it worked for them. For example, during a visit to Chicago’s Cloud Gate sculpture, @spicyalohoe recalls she ran with her suitcase before entering a year filled with travel.

What other food trends are there for New Year’s Eve?

A Japanese tradition is built around soba noodles, made from buckwheat. According to Savor Japan, a Japanese restaurant guide, closing the year with buckwheat’s heartiness will help you endure the year ahead, while the noodles’ ability to break easily will help you let go, or break away from, the past. Also, these noodles are long, linking them to a long life.

Starting the year with osechi, or a traditional New Year’s assortment of symbolic foods, is said to usher in happiness, scholarship, stability, and other positive attributes. Mochi, or sticky rice cakes, are also a popular New Year’s treat in Japan; it’s advised that you cut them up before eating because they can be a choking hazard (and again, let’s avoid health emergencies on New Year’s Day).

Lentils also figure into several traditions, including those in Brazil and Spain. In both countries, lentils are said to represent coins (similar to black-eyed peas), and eating them is said to bring good fortune. Then there’s the tradition of eating pork (because pigs root forward) and not chicken (because chickens scratch backward).

Whatever your tradition, or if you’re trying a new one, enjoying something delicious at midnight sounds like the perfect way to start the new year. Just remember to chew responsibly.

The American Girl “Girl of the Year” doll for 2023 is here, and, no surprise, she’s making company history again. Kavi, short for Kavika, is the first South Asian doll to hold the New Year spotlight.

For more than a decade, the limited edition, annual releases have acted as a markedly modern line of American Girl dolls intended to embody the current special interests, social issues, and identities of children. Following last year’s unveiling of Corinne Tan, the company’s first-ever Asian American Girl of the Year, and the 2022 launch of Claudie, a Harlem Renaissance-era doll that honors the period’s expansive contributions to art and culture, Kavi is the latest in a growing array of culturally diverse American Girl offerings. 

“Kavi joins the company’s long line of contemporary characters, introduced more than 20 years ago, that represent a wide range of backgrounds to reflect what it means to be an American girl today,” the company wrote of the new doll’s release. “Through Kavi, young readers will learn the importance of finding a healthy rhythm in life and feel inspired to pursue their own unique talents and reach for their dreams.”

Kavi loves playing piano, dancing, and singing, but is especially interested in the world of Broadway. In It’s Showtime, Kavi, the hardback children’s novel accompanying the doll’s release, Kavi is making her way to New York City to see her first main stage show — Wicked, of course — to celebrate her twelfth birthday. 

Her story, which also touches on the Sharma family’s Indian heritage, was written by author Varsha Bajaj, known for her bestselling middle-grade novels Thirst, Count Me In, and Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood. “Kavi’s story is important to all the young readers who will see parts of their lives represented. I took immense delight in showcasing slivers of Indian culture, including dance, yoga traditions, food, clothing, and magical festivals like Diwali and Holi,” Bajaj wrote in Kavi’s announcement. 

Kavi loves both musical theater and her pup.
Credit: American Girl

Kavi also celebrates her Indian heritage in a variety of ways.
Credit: American Girl

Since its initial American history-focused launch in 1986, American Girl has made an effort to expand its offering of representative dolls, echoing a larger inclusivity shift by parent company Mattel. Following several other dolls of East Asian heritage, including 2011 Girl of the Year Kanani Akina, the company unveiled Z, a Korean American doll launched as part of the standing American Girl line of dolls (she has since been retired), and the 2021 Girl of the Year Corrine Tan.

The 2017 Girl of the Year doll was Gabriela McBride, a young Black activist navigating her passions and the stigma associated with having a stutter. And in 2019, American Girl unveiled Joss Kendrick, the first Girl of the Year doll with hearing loss. 

In June 2021, the company extended this effort to its non-doll products as well, releasing a new entry in its “A Smart Girl’s Guide” series titled Race & Inclusion: Standing Up to Racism and Building a Better World.

The dolls are paired with real world “do-good” initiatives by the doll company. Alongside Kavi’s release, the company is donating $25,000 to NYC-based nonprofit Camp Broadway, which will fund full and partial scholarships for kids ages 7 to 14 who are attending the camp’s 2023 summer program in New York City. The nonprofit provides cultural enrichment programs and other resources for young people interested in performing arts, entertainment, and culture.

Kavi is available online starting Dec. 29 and in retail stores Jan. 1. To learn more about Kavi and Bajaj’s story, and to purchase the new doll, visit the American Girl website. 

Say cheese! Here are the best deals on Fujifilm instant cameras on Dec. 29:

• BEST BUDGET PICK: The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 includes two AA batteries — $59.95 $76.95 (save $17) 

• BEST FOR TAKING SELFIES: The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 (lime green) takes just 90 seconds to develop and includes a built-in selfie mirror — $69.90 $99.95 (save $30.05)  

• BEST RETRO STYLE: The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 (brown) features brightness control and a kids mode for action shots — $265 $280 (save $15) 

The holidays may be coming to a close, but there’s still time to save on a number of tech products, including Fujifilm’s Instax Mini instant cameras.

Sure, smartphones are capable of taking flawless, Instagram-worthy photos. But there’s something about a traditional instant camera that digital devices just can’t replicate. Unlike most real film cameras, Fujifilm’s Instax Minis develop film instantly, so you can have prints in hand moments after snapping the photo.

Whether shopping for a friend or family member or treating yourself to a gift you’ll love in the new year, here are our top picks for the best deals on Fujifilm Instax Mini instant cameras.

Best budget pick  

Why we like it 

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 has a built-in macro mode, a selfie mirror, and an auto-exposure setting that auto-sets the shutter speed depending on your surroundings. It also includes two AA batteries and is available in five fun colors: sky blue, blush pink, black, ice white, and lilac purple.

Best for taking selfies  

Why we like it 

You don’t need a smartphone to take a selfie. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 features an improved selfie mirror and macro attachment lens for up-close shots. This model also has a 60mm lens, a five-minute auto power-off timer, and the ability to develop photos in 90 seconds. 

Best retro-style  

Why we like it 

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 is the priciest camera on this list, but it’s also one of the most iconic and beloved Instax cameras around. (Though you can snag it for $99.21 at Walmart, it’s currently out of stock.) With an improved design and a number of other upgrades from the earlier model, this retro-style instant camera has new functions like high-performance flash, kids mode, and macro mode, among other features.

More Instax Mini deals: 

• Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 7+ Blister Bundle — $49 $67 (save $18)

• Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 — $89.99 $119.95 (save $29.96) 

• Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 — $89.99 $99.99 (save $10) 

• Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO — $199.99 $224.92 (save $24.93) 

Listening to Jimmy Buffett unironically will be in next year if I have anything to say about it. Smash-burgers, however, will be out.

With 2022 winding down, the Extremely Online have taken it upon themselves to predict the trends of 2023 — what’s in, what’s out, and what will (maybe) happen. Like anything on the internet, there’s a mix of people posting their sincere predictions and using the trend to fire off a few jokes. In fact, most folks, like yours truly, posted a mashup of both real predictions and jokes. It’s up to you to figure out which is which.

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The posts were funny and good and, in some cases, actually kind of helpful in thinking about the year to come. For instance, some of the pop culture predictions, while hilarious, do seem kind of reasonable.

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OK, honestly, it seems like some of these could definitely happen as well.

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Some of these are let’s say…overlapping…with other viral posts, but these are some specific predictions.

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And this one has a few that will definitely happen.

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The general predictions were great, but so were the calls on what would be in and out in 2023.

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These sorts of posts are all over Twitter and TikTok, taking over the internet heading into the new year. I’ll be interested to see what actually comes true. Personally, I am very invested in making Jimmy Buffett and frozen drinks a thing, so, you know, please help spread the word.

Pets can be mediocre roommates.

Their presence makes your life better — but significantly messier, too. And unlike in a passive-aggressive roommate group chat, you can’t tell a pet to clean up after itself.

Whether they have a favorite floor spot for rolling around, or prefer to spread the love (fur) around the house, it’s impossible to follow their trail with a vacuum and lint roller. Sending a robot vacuum to tidy your floors on a regular schedule can cut you a major break on your added chores as a pet parent.

What makes a robot vacuum good for pet hair?

You’re the human here, but the types of floors in your home will probably be a big part of your decision.

Virtually all robots can master hardwood floors (as well as laminate, tile, and vinyl). Smooth surfaces don’t take a spiderweb-like grasp on pet hair like carpets do. The hair may blow across and collect in furballs, but it’s relatively easy for any robot vacuum to grab with a rotating brush, push it into the line of suction, and scoop it up. If your home’s corners are particularly popular hangout spots for furballs, a D-shaped robot vacuum can detail those walls and 90-degree angles better than a circular vac.

A living space that contains a combination of hard floors and carpet or rugs will prove to be a little more challenging. The robot vacuum you choose should be able to detect different floor types and be able to hoist itself over the spots where they switch over without getting tripped up. Most vacs on the market today are smart enough to enact some sort of boost mode to work a little harder on carpets, though suction power itself plays a bigger role when it comes to extracting pet hair from carpeting. Veer toward a model harnessing with between 2,000 and 3,000 Pa of suction.

Stronger vacuums collect more debris in every trip, and households dealing with shedding probably require more trips to tackle the extra debris. Naturally, these dust bins will fill up faster than a vacuum cleaning a petless household once a week. A self-emptying vacuum alleviates the need for you to empty the dustbin on the daily, letting you off the hook for one to three months at a time.

Pet owners with allergies will appreciate the streamlined emptying process for another reason. The automatic emptying process involves sucking the contents of the dust bin directly from the vacuum into the canister on the loading dock, containing the blast of dust that typically clouds the trash can during manual dumping. Allergy sufferers can also look for vac models that house HEPA filters.

Do robot vacuums scare pets?

No one *wants* their robot vacuum to be loud, but noise level should be a heavier consideration in households with skittish pets. Some models are louder than others, depending on the strength of the motor or, on more high-tech models, a noise-dampening design. If your pet reacts well (or doesn’t react) to the dishwasher, a hairdryer, or a blender, the low roar of most robot vacuums should be tolerable.

A robot vac that reliably follows boundaries might be helpful to avoid knocking into a water bowl or slurping up corners of a dog bed. Most low-end vacs come with adhesive magnetic strips that create a physical border around danger zones, but virtual no-go zones on nicer vacs that utilize laser mapping are far more reliable — and one less thing to chew on.

The noise level on automatic emptying stations is a different story. They sound like a plane taking off. However, the deafening whoosh only lasts for about 15 seconds, and the ability for a dock to hold months’ worth of debris is crucial for homes where a robot vacuum could fill its on-board dustbin after cleaning a few rooms filled with pet hair.

Let’s get down to our list of best robot vacuums for pet hair in 2023:

Headphones and earbuds help us tune out the world and work or work out in peace. A quality pair can be pricey, but these Beats by Dre selections are a bargain.

• BEST EARPHONES: These Beats Flex are great for workout enthusiasts who want the comfort of earbuds and an unintrusive wire. $49.99 $69.95 (save $20)

• BEST ON-EAR HEADPHONES: The well-known Beats by Dre Solo³ on-ear headphones deliver great bass and clear sound. $129.99 $199.99 (save $70 plus get four free months of Apple Music and Apple News+ and three free months of Apple TV+)

• BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS: The Beats Studio Buds are wireless noise-canceling wonders that offer stellar sound quality. $99.99 $149.99 (save $50 plus get four free months of Apple Music and Apple News+, and three free months of Apple TV+)

The holiday rush for great gifts has come and gone, but there’s always time to treat yourself to something nice going into the new year. Whether your 2023 resolution is to travel more, to revel in new albums from your favorite artists, or to make more phone calls to your loved ones, there are some great Beats by Dre deals on headphones, earphones, and earbuds to take advantage of right now.

Best earphones deal

Why we like it

These Beats Flex earphones are the perfect compromise between wireless earbuds and regular earphones. Their unobstructive wire will ensure these stay on at all times as you work, exercise, or chill out while staying connected to your music, audiobooks, or phone calls. Battery life for these earphones is up to 12 hours, and you can expect crisp, clear bass and sound at a low price of $49.95.

Best on-ear headphones

Why we like it

Earbuds aren’t for everyone. We get that. For those who prefer an over-the-ear alternative, these Beats by Dr. Dre Solo³ headphones promise to deliver comfort, clean bass, and a battery life of up to 40 hours. Should your battery run low, these headphones are equipped with Fast Fuel, a charging mode that can supply you with up to three hours of battery life within five minutes. Best of all? They’re foldable and include a built-in microphone for your phone call and gaming needs. Best Buy is including four free months of Apple Music and Apple News+ and three free months of Apple TV+ (for new and returning subscribers) with this purchase to sweeten the deal.

Best wireless earbuds

Why we like it

These Beats Studio buds are a great choice for those who prefer wireless earbuds. They may not look powerful, but their noise-canceling capabilities and balanced sound say otherwise. They have a battery life of up to eight hours, and the charging case has enough juice for three full charges, or 24 hours of audio. This deal also includes four free months of Apple Music and Apple News+ and three free months of Apple TV+ (for new and returning subscribers). Worried about fit? These earbuds come with tips in small, medium, and large.

More deals like this

• Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds $179.95 $249.95 (save $70)

• Beats FitPro wireless noise-canceling earbuds $179.95 $199.95 (save $20)

In August, a TikTok video of a 7-year-old named Tariq whisked me back to 2013 when being online was actually fun.

Through a toothy jack-o’-lantern grin, he waxed poetic about the delights of corn with such unadulterated joy and sincerity that virality seemed almost inevitable. The video spread widely and soon Tariq became known as “Corn Kid” across the internet and beyond. He was featured on Good Morning America, rode in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, was named an official “Corn-bassador” of South Dakota, and gained further notoriety when YouTube creator Schmoyoho crafted a musical remix of his adorable enthusiasm that has since been used in more than 1.4 million TikToks. 

For a moment, the internet felt warm and sweet. “Corn Kid” was a TikTok hit, the viral wunderkind of a platform that continued to feel thrillingly fresh and unpredictable this year, the way Vine did when it launched nearly a decade ago, and YouTube did until an influx of showy creators, political vitriol, and conspiracies ruined the fun for everyone. 

Back then, the magic of the internet revealed itself every day. It was electric with possibility, and logging on was accompanied by the thrilling anticipation of discovery. New types of humor, new forms of self-expression through GIFs, videos, and photo sharing, and new ways to communicate through social media and instant messaging were taking shape online. The idea of an internet “trend” was brand new; we could now see something online — like “Gangnam Style” or the Harlem Shake — and replicate it ourselves. In 2013, what was big on the internet was big for everyone on the internet.

Back then, the magic of the internet revealed itself in new ways every day. It was electric with possibility, and logging on was accompanied by the thrilling anticipation of discovery.

That year’s YouTube Rewind, an annual video recap of the year’s most viral clips and trends, shows how united we were then by a shared cultural dialogue. The video was themed around Ylvis’s “What Does the Fox Say?” a viral hit played on heavy rotation, performed at awards shows, and parroted ubiquitously in daily life. The Rewind montage also referenced Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” music videos, a reminder that there was a time when releases were major monolithic events (and the general awareness of rape culture was low.) 

By 2018, YouTube received so much backlash for its inability to capture the increasingly fractured expanse of the internet that it gave up on producing Rewind videos completely.

Today, Corn Kid’s glee over the buttery goodness of an ear of corn feels so precious because the internet now feels so sour and divisive. Politics embitters so much of our online experience, and the rest of it is suffocated by negativity or bullying. Meanwhile, cultural content has become so derivative, closer to regurgitation than reinvention. Marvel’s big-budget blowouts own the box office, and Broadway is flooded with jukebox musicals and movie adaptations. Skins walked so that the drug-popping, sex-charged teens of Euphoria could run, and HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot has yet to re-awaken the fervor for the original. Even the digital trends are repetitive.

On the charts, the explosive growth of hip-hop and Latin music, and the rise of K-pop — which has ballooned as a global economic and cultural force since Psy’s 2012 hit “Gangnam Style” — are all exciting developments. But much of the industry is still thriving on nostalgia where everything old gets reborn on the internet. The 1975, whose popularity surged alongside Skins GIF sets on Tumblr in 2013, are making horny tongues wag on TikTok again. Harry Styles is at the height of his power, 10 years after One Direction were at the height of theirs. Taylor Swift has managed to remain pervasive, a decade after Red became her first no. 1 album in the U.S. An emo-infused pop-rock resurgence led by newcomers like Olivia Rodrigo and the return of Paramore and My Chemical Romance has even woven its way back into the fabric of pop culture, 10 years after its dominance on our airwaves.

There is no longer a “mainstream” culture we all participate in.

In February, NBC shared that viewership for its 2022 Olympics coverage was 43 percent lower than that of the last Olympics. Some blamed it on COVID restrictions or on the time difference between China and the U.S., but the ratings also spoke to a loss of community, of singular cultural events that used to unite us.

There is no longer a “mainstream” culture we all participate in. The internet is algorithmic, thriving on niche interests and breaking down into smaller and smaller corners until we are all staring into our own highly customized feed. Being online feels less like a collective experience and more like a choose-your-own-adventure. That’s what makes Corn Kid so special.

Corn Kid is nothing new himself. In fact, I’m probably endeared to his delightful little rant because I grew up on internet culture that valued the simple, weird, and irreverent. But that stuff can also be the purest form of entertainment, marrying the fun of 2013 with hyper-specific, algorithm-driven modernity.

If YouTube cut a Rewind for 2023, Tariq would undoubtedly be its star, thanks to the popularity of Schmoyoho’s remix, even though credit for his fame as the “Corn Kid” is owed to TikTok. But what else brought us together this year? The World Cup, sure. Mutual disdain for Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover and the dying whimpers of cryptocurrency, fine. But beyond that, the internet has become so negative, or untrustworthy, or blasé, or simply too big for us to feel united by anything at all.

Except on TikTok, which has somehow combined the extremely niche with the widely relatable, and where a toothless little boy holding an ear of corn larger than his own face will tell you in earnest, “I hope you have a corntastic day!”

The Messages app has long been a mainstay on the iPhone and iPad as the default way Apple would like you to send messages. But it can handle a lot more than just plain, old text messages.

You can spruce up your messages with photos, videos, emoji, stickers, music, animated GIFs, and other cool content. You can switch between typing and dictating your message. To organize your texts, you’re able to filter out unknown senders and pin frequent conversations at the top. And with the latest version of iOS/iPadOS, you can edit and even unsend a text.

To enjoy the most recent enhancements, make sure you’re running the current operating system for your device. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if your software is up to date. If not, you’ll be prompted to download and install the latest update.

Now, let’s check out 16 of those top tricks to help you use Apple’s Messages app.

1. Edit a Sent Message

With iOS 16 or higher, you can revise a text that you’ve already sent in case you need to fix a typo or other mistake.

If your recipient is running iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or macOS Ventura or higher, the corrected message will replace the original one. If they’re still using an older version of the OS on their mobile device or Mac, that person will receive a new message with the corrected text. The original message remains, and a notice tells them that the message was edited. Either way, you have only 15 minutes to edit a sent message, so don’t delay if you spot an error.

To try this out, send someone a text with an intentional mistake.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

Press down on the sent text and select Edit from the menu. Fix the mistake and then tap the checkmark to send the new and corrected version. The new message replaces the original one on the recipient’s end.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

2. Unsend a Sent Message

You’ve sent a message to the wrong person or want to recall it for some other reason. With iOS 16 or higher, you can unsend it. If your recipient is running iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or macOS Ventura or higher, the original message will simply vanish. If they’re still using an older version of the OS, the original message remains with a notice that it was unsent. The full effect works only with iMessage texts and not with SMS or MMS messages. And you have just 2 minutes to unsend it, so you’ll need to be quick here.

To try this, send a text to someone. Press down on that text and select Undo Send from the menu. The text then disappears on the recipient’s end with a notice that you unsent a message.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

3. Add a Photo or Video

You can easily attach a photo or video to a text. Tap the iMessage field and add some text. To snap and add a new photo, tap the left arrow button and then tap the Camera icon. Snap your picture. You can then jazz up the photo with special effects and filters. When finished, tap Done and then send the text.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

To add a new video, follow the same initial steps but set the camera to video mode. Tap the red button to start the recording and again when you’re finished. You can then apply certain effects. Tap Done and send the text.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

To add an existing photo from your Photos library, tap the App Store icon and then tap the Photos icon. Your photo gallery appears at the bottom. Swipe through your library and select the photo you want to attach. Add text if you wish and then send the message.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

To add an existing video, follow the same initial steps. Select the video. You can play it before you send it. If all looks good, fire off the text.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

4. Search for the Right Emoji or Sticker

Looking for the perfect emoji or sticker to include in a text? Just search for it. Open a message and tap the emoji icon in the lower-left corner of the keyboard. Type a word or phrase to find an emoji you want to use, then tap the one you wish to add it into your message. For more options, tap the App Store icon and select Stickers. Choose the sticker you want to send.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

5. Record and Add a Memoji

Here’s a cool way to send an audio message to someone. From the App Store row, tap the icon for Memoji. Select your favorite memoji and then tap the red recording button. Record your message, making sure you move your eyes and mouth to capture your facial mannerisms. When done, tap the recording button again and then send your text.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

6. Add an Animated GIF

One fun way to spruce up a text is through an animated GIF. From the App Store row, tap the icon for Images. Swipe through the results or search for specific ones by name or subject. Select the animated image you like and then send the text.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

7. Dictate Your Message

Instead of struggling to tap out your text with your fingers, why not dictate it? Tap the microphone icon, either the one next to the iMessage field or the one at the lower right of the screen. Then just dictate your words. When done, review the message for errors. You can easily fix a mistake by tapping in the area and correcting the glitch. Then send the text.

Credit: Apple / Lance Whitney

8. Reply Inline

Sometimes a group conversation can get muddled with new conversations interspersed between replies, but you can reply to a specific comment in the thread to keep everything organized. To do this, press down on the comment to which you want to respond and tap Reply. Type your response in the Reply field and send the text. The person who posted the original comment will then see your direct reply.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

9. Mention Someone by Name

You can now include someone’s name in a text message as a mention. Doing so can make it easier for that person to see or respond to any texts that reference their name. To do this, type the person’s first name, then tap the name and select the person from the pop-up icon. You can also type @ followed by the person’s name, and it will automatically turn into a mention. 

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

10. Add a Group Name and Photo

You can set up both a name and an image for each of your group conversations. Open a group conversation, tap the icons at the top, and then select Change Name and Photo. Type a group name. Then tap the camera icon to take a photo, the Photos icon to add an existing photo from your device, the smiley icon to add an emoji, or the pen icon to create an image with text and color. Swipe down further to choose other emoji and Memoji. Tap Done and then Done again to save your changes.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

11. Hide Alerts for New Messages

Sometimes you don’t want to receive a notification every time there’s a new text from a certain person or group. No problem. To stifle those alerts, open the conversation and tap the icon for the person or group at the top. Turn on the switch for Hide Alerts.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

12. Get Notified of Mentions

You may want to hide alerts for a group conversation but still wish to be notified if someone mentions you in the conversation. To set this up, go to Settings > Messages. In the Mentions section, turn on the switch for Notify Me. Now, if a conversation that you muted mentions you by name, you’ll receive a notification.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

13. Collaborate on a Note

You’re creating a note on your iPhone and would like other people to review or contribute to it. Tap the Share icon and select Collaborate from the Share menu. Make sure Collaborate is checked. Tap the option for Only invited people can collaborate and set the access and permissions. Select the person or group which whom you want to collaborate on this note. Send the text inviting people to collaborate.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

The recipients you invited can then open the note in the Notes app on their devices and review or edit it.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

14. Restore Deleted Messages

You’ve deleted a message by mistake and want it back. No problem. Your iPhone stores deleted messages for a certain amount of time. To set this up, go to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages. Set the duration for keeping deleted messages to 30 days, 1 year, or Forever.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

To restore a deleted message from the Messages app, tap Filters at the upper-left corner and select Recently Deleted. Tap the message or conversation you wish to bring back and then tap Recover. Confirm your action.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

15. Filter Messages by Known or Unknown Senders

Clean out the Messages inbox clutter by filtering out all the one-time alerts and messages from unknown senders. Go to Settings > Messages. Under the Message Filtering section, turn on the switch for Filter Unknown Senders. Then in Messages, tap the Filters link in the upper-left corner and choose between All Messages, Known Senders (anyone in your contacts), and Unknown Senders (anyone who is not). You can also view unread messages this way.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

16. Pin a Conversation

Trying to hunt down a specific thread among all the conversations that appear in your Messages inbox can be challenging. Now you can pin up to nine specific conversations at the top of the screen so they’re easily accessible.

There are three ways to pin a conversation: 1) Press down on it and select Pin from the pop-up menu; 2) Press down on it and drag and drop it at the top; 3) Tap the ellipsis circle icon at the top, select Edit Pins, and then tap the Pin icon next to the conversation you want to pin.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

That conversation then appears at the top of your inbox. To access a thread, tap on its pin. To remove it, press down on the pin and select Unpin from the menu. Alternatively, tap the ellipsis circle icon, select Edit Pins, and then tap the minus icon next to the conversation you want to unpin.

Credit: Apple/Lance Whitney

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