After a few weeks since they initial releases, many of Apple’s products are seeing some updates bringing some of their promised features that didn’t make the initial release and some security updates, too!
watchOS 17.1
First up is watchOS 17.1, bringing with it the crown jewel of software features promised for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, Double Tap.
For those who don’t remember, Double Tap is an “exclusive” Series 9 feature that allowed you to pinch your index finger and thumb together twice to perform actions on your watch. It was later found out that an accessibility feature on all Apple Watches could serve the same function.
On top of that, it also includes the NameDrop feature that made it on to iOS 17, but, again, wasn’t ready for prime time on the Apple Watch.
Here are the full release notes:
watchOS 10.1 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:
- Double tap gesture can be used to perform the primary action in notifications and most apps so you can answer a call, play and pause music, stop a timer, and more (Available on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2)
- NameDrop allows you to exchange contact information with someone new by simply bringing your Apple Watch near their iPhone with iOS 17 or Apple Watch (Available on Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 7 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra)
- My Card is available as a complication for quick access to NameDrop
- Fix for bug that causes the climate section in the Home app to be blank
- Addresses an issue that causes a white selection border to be unexpectedly displayed after turning off AssistiveTouch
- Fixes an issue where cities may not sync between iPhone and watch in Weather
- Resolves an issue where the scroll bar may unexpectedly be visible on the display
- Fix for bug that causes elevation to be incorrect for some users
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
macOS Sonoma 14.1
This one seems to be a small fixes release so here are the full release notes:
This update provides enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac including:
- Favorites expanded in Music to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library
- Apple warranty status for Mac, AirPods, and Beats headphones and earbuds are available in System Settings
- Fixes an issue where the System Services settings within Location Services may reset
- Fixes an issue that may prevent encrypted external drives from mounting
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iOS and iPadOS 17.1
Again, these updates include some features that were not quite ready for the initial release.
The biggest one here is the new AirDrop functionality that continues to transfer data even after you walk out of normal AirDrop range. Once that happens, it will continue the transfer over the internet so both parties don’t look silly just standing and waiting for a file to transfer.
There is also the fix included for the iPhone 12’s radiation levels that was brought up by the French government along with some additional bug fixes.
On the iPad side, the update includes support for the funky new Apple Pencil announced earlier.
There is also 18 security flaws that are being fixed as highlighted by 9to5Mac.
And here are the full release notes:
AirDrop
– Content continues to transfer over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range
StandBy
– New options to control when the display turns off (iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max)
Music
– Favorites expanded to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library
– New cover art collection offers designs that change colors to reflect the music in your playlist
– Song suggestions appear at the bottom of every playlist, making it easy to add music that matches the vibe of your playlist
This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
– Option to choose a specific album to use with Photo Shuffle on the Lock Screen
– Home key support for Matter locks
– Improved reliability of Screen Time settings syncing across devices
– Fixes an issue that may cause the Significant Location privacy setting to reset when transferring an Apple Watch or pairing it for the first time
– Resolves an issue where the names of incoming callers may not appear when you are on another call
– Addresses an issue where custom and purchased ringtones may not appear as options for your text tone
– Fixes an issue that may cause the keyboard to be less responsive
– Crash detection optimizations (all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models)
– Fixes an issue that may cause display image persistence
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
So, please as I always say…
Update yo shit!”
Marcus “MajorLinux” Summers, multiple occassions
Source: MacRumors
