Apple releases iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and watchOS 7.4 updates

Apple on Monday released iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5. The long-awaited mobile operating system updates include the following new features and fixes:

• The ability to unlock an iPhone with Apple Watch while wearing a face mask
• More diverse Siri voices
• New privacy controls (including Ad Tracking Transparency)
• New skin tone options to better represent couples in emoji
• AirTags support

Users with an iPhone X and later and Apple Watch Series 3 or later can not unlock their smartphone via Face ID whilst wearing a mask. Siri no longer has a default voice and has got more diverse, with voices that use Neural Text to Speech technology. Furthermore, Siri now works with Group FaceTime, allowing users to initiate calls with multiple contacts or ask Siri to FaceTime a group saved in Messages.

Among the new features is the introduction of Ad Tracking Transparency, which compels users to give their permission before an app can track their data across apps or websites owned by other companies for advertising, or sharing data with data brokers.

Other notable changes include the ability to report an accident, hazard, or speed check via maps telling Siri on iPhone or CarPlay. This feature is available in the U.S. and China only at launch. The new features announced at the ‘Spring Loaded’ event, including updates to Podcasts. 

The iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 updates can be downloaded by navigating to General > Settings > Software Update and downloading from here. The watchOS 7.4 update can be downloaded by opening the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tapping My Watch, then tapping General and Software Update.

If you’ve had a chance to try the new updates, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

Via The Mac Observer