As Apple continues to beta test iOS 14.5, speculation is rife about a possible release to the public. Currently, all signs point to a release somewhere in the spring. Read on as we summarize everything we know so far about iOS 14.5.
What’s new in iOS 14.5?
The biggest change in iOS 14.5 is a new feature that lets you unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch while wearing a face mask. This feature also requires watchOS 7.4, which we are expected to release to the public along with iOS 14.5.
After updating and activating this feature, your iPhone will automatically unlock with your Apple Watch the next time you wear a face mask. When you unlock your iPhone, you receive a haptic feedback notification on your Apple Watch stating that your iPhone has been unlocked by the Apple Watch. There is also the option to quickly “lock” iPhone directly from the Apple Watch notification.
iOS 14.5 also includes a major privacy upgrade in the form of App Tracking Transparency, a feature that was planned for the initial release of iOS 14, but has been delayed until now.
Application tracking transparency is a new feature that requires applications to request permission from users before being tracked on other applications and websites. Under Settings, users can also see which apps have requested permission to track, so they can make changes as they wish.
For example, once this requirement takes effect, you will see a pop-up when you open the Facebook app and say that Facebook wants to track you on other apps and websites. There are two options to choose from: ‘Ask the app not to detect’ or ‘Allow’. The feature has already sparked outrage from Facebook.
Next, iOS 14.5 offers a new Siri intelligence feature that helps the virtual assistant customize to your preferred music application. Apple explained that because there is no specific setting in iOS where users can set up a ‘standard’ music service, so this feature is specifically designed as a Siri intelligence feature.
This means that when you ask Siri to play a song for the first time after installing iOS 14.5, Siri will ask you which app you want to use. After typing one of the options, it becomes the default for the following commands. It works for apps like Spotify, Pandora and Amazon Music.
iOS 14.5 also includes significant changes to Siri. Apple says the voice assistant will no longer have the standard of a female voice. There are also two additional voice options to choose from.
Other new features in iOS 14.5:
iOS 14.5 release
Apple usually did not announce the release of iOS point updates in advance, but this year we did get a hint when we expect iOS 14.5 to be released.
As mentioned earlier, the new privacy feature for App Tracking Transparency is one of the most important new features coming to iOS 14.5. Apple has said that the transparency of the app’s applications “will roll out broadly in the early spring with an upcoming release of iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and tvOS 14.” In a recent interview, Tim Cook said that the transparency of information at this stage is a few weeks away.
By comparison, Apple released iOS 13.4 on March 24 last year following the announcement of the Magic Trackpad for iPad. iOS 13.4 has undergone five developer and public beta tests.
iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 may also be linked to the release of new hardware products from Apple. Rumors have it that Apple may release AirTags and new iPad Pro models in April, and AirTags is relying specifically on new features in iOS 14.5.
This means that Apple can announce AirTags and then release iOS 14.5 to the public with the new Find My features. What is unclear, however, is when Apple will introduce these new products to the world and whether it will hold a virtual opportunity to do so.
Exit
As you can see, we are getting closer to the public release of iOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4 and iPadOS 14.5. In fact, we could be within a few weeks of release. What are you most excited to see when iOS 14.5 is released to the public? Are you planning to use the new Apple Watch Unlock feature? Let us know in the comments!
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