Apple today released the first betas of upcoming iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 updates, and while the new software serves as a date for when app developers need to keep to the rules of Transparency Tracking App, there are a handful of other changes worth noting.
/article-new/2021/01/14.5-on-iPhone-12-feature.jpg?resize=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Apple Watch iPhone solution
With iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4, Apple is making it easier to unlock an iPhone when wearing a mask. There is a new “Unlock with Apple Watch” feature that allows the iPhone to use an unlocked and authenticated Apple Watch as a secondary authentication method.
/article-new/2021/02/iphone-apple-watch-unlock-2.jpg?resize=560%2C431&ssl=1)
That means you don’t have to remove your mask or enter a passcode to unlock your iPhone when this feature is enabled. It requires both iPhone running iOS 14.5 and Apple Watch running watchOS 7.4 and needs to be enabled in the Settings app by going to Face ID & Passcode and building on “Unlock with Apple Watch.”
/article-new/2021/02/iphone-apple-watch-unlock.jpg?resize=560%2C416&ssl=1)
An unlocked Apple Watch can be paired with a Face ID to unlock your iPhone without having to enter a passcode, but cannot be used to confirm Apple Pay or App Store purchases. These still require a full Face ID or passcode scan.
Dual-SIM 5G support
Those who use the -iPhone Dual-SIM function will be happy to hear that iOS 14.5 is finally introducing global support for 5G in Dual-SIM mode on iPhone 12 models.
/article-new/2021/02/iPhone-12-5G-Dual-Carrier-Feature-orange.jpg?resize=560%2C314&ssl=1)
The Dual-SIM feature on the iPhone 12 allows two service lines on one iPhone, useful for traveling or keeping individual work and home numbers. Prior to iOS 14.5, Dual-SIM mode was limited to LTE in all countries except China, but iOS 14.5 allows Dual-SIM users to get 5G speeds on all lines.
AirPlay 2 for Fitness +
iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and watchOS 7.4 enable AirPlay 2 support for Apple Fitness +, allowing Apple Fitness + AirPlay subscribers to send their work out to a compatible AirPlay 2-capable smart box or set top box.
Workouts can be displayed on a larger screen with this feature, but unfortunately, Apple Watch metrics cannot be displayed on the TV when AirPlaying a workout from iPhone or iPad. Activity rings, remaining working time, calories, burning, set lengths, and firing bars do not appear on the TV set and must instead be viewed on the connected iPhone or iPad.
Extended administrator support
With iOS and iPadOS 14.5, you can now use the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers with the iPhone and iPad. The Apple TV also seems to be supporting the new controllers with the tvOS 14.5 update.
/article-new/2021/02/play-station-dualsense-controller.jpeg?resize=560%2C420&ssl=1)
Apple Family Support Card
Code in the iOS 14.5 update reveals that Apple will add a new feature that will allow multiple people to use the same Apple Card account, allowing family members to share one card.
The main Apple Card account holder will be able to invite family members to use the Apple Card account, with family expenses visible in the Wallet app. Accountants will be able to set spending limits so that all family members, including children, can get the card.
Although the code is in the update, the Apple Card ro family sharing feature does not appear to be live for Apple Card maintainers so far.
Siri emergency calls
according to Rene Ritchie, IOS 14.5 has a feature that allows Siri to call emergency services with the command “Hey Siri, emergency call”. This seems to work in earlier versions of iOS, so it’s probably a server-side change.
Transparency Tracking App
When iOS 14.5 is released, developers need to request and obtain user permission to access their random ad identifier, which is used to monitor activity across apps and websites.
/article-new/2021/01/app-tracking-settings-ios-14.jpg?resize=560%2C454&ssl=1){kind=tracking}
You may already be aware of the upcoming changes as Facebook has been putting a lot of pressure on them, but with this beta, you should see more apps starting to roll out. comply with Apple rules, displaying a popup that allows you to approve or disable ad tracking.
Apple has already implemented the entire framework for the Transparency Tracking App, so these popups are also going to appear more frequently in earlier versions of iOS 14. iOS 14.5 is more of a headline day is a feature update when it comes to Apple’s new privacy rules, but it marks a widespread adoption of Apple’s iOS 14 anti-tracking function.
/article-new/2021/01/app-tracking-transparency-prompt-ios-14.jpg?resize=560%2C576&ssl=1){kind=tracking}
One unique feature of this change is a requirement that developers not monitor you other ways to clear the options you choose for anti-tracking, so if you choose not to allow an app to track you with a random ad identifier, that app is not allowed to use Apple-controlled devices to get around rules.
App Podcasts
A few design changes have been made to the Podcasts app. Podcasts under “Shows” are now listed more prominently with episode descriptions and an easier “Restart” access button. The search button lets you browse through different categories to find what you’re looking for.
/article-new/2021/02/podcast-app-design-changes.jpg?resize=560%2C542&ssl=1)
Souvenir App
There is now an option to sort lists in Reminders by Date, Creation Date, Priority, or Title, in addition there is an option to print a Reminder list, which has been a feature of Memory users have been wanting for some time.
/article-new/2021/02/reminders-app-sort-print.jpg?resize=560%2C550&ssl=1)
News app
The Apple News app has a new Search tab, and the News + section has been redesigned with an “For You” feature and an easier-to-access Browse tab.
/article-new/2021/02/apple-news-plus-changes.jpg?resize=560%2C551&ssl=1)
Set emergency alerts
If you go to Settings> Notifications and scroll all the way down to Emergency Alerts, you can now tap on the setting to turn off the “Always Deliver” feature that turns emergency alerts off without playing sound when the Volume / Ringer is silent. Earthquake, tsunamis, and other similar emergency warnings will still cause your iPhone to make an alarm, according to Apple code.
/article-new/2021/02/emergency-alerts-options.jpg?resize=560%2C370&ssl=1)
Horizontal loading screen
On the iPad, the loading screen with the Apple logo now appears in horizontal direction if your iPad is set that way.
/article-new/2021/02/ipad-horizontal-boot-up.jpg?resize=560%2C406&ssl=1)
Emoji Research
You can now search for a specific emoji in iPadOS 14.5, a feature that was added to the iPhone with the launch of iOS 14.
/article-new/2021/02/emoji-search-ipados-14-5.jpg?resize=560%2C406&ssl=1)
Smaller features
There are also a number of smaller things that have been added in the iOS 14.5 update, which are listed below.
- Interface for typing to Siri and adding iMessages with Siri has undergone some design tweaks to use Apple ‘s more compact UI.
- There are some minor design changes when you want Siri to find someone using the Find My app.
- There are new sounds for finding Beats in the Find My app.
- There are a few updates on the Hermes watch faces with a new color addition.
- There are new colors for Beats images.
- IPad should now be easier to set up with a cellular connection.
- German Girocards can now be added to the Wallet app for use with Apple Pay.
- When your Apple Watch is updated, there is a new message: “Your Apple Watch has been updated with the latest bug fixes and security enhancements.”
- When your iPhone is updated, there is a new message: “Your iPhone has been updated with the latest bug fixes and security enhancements.”
Code changes
There are a handful of changes to the basic code that do not necessarily reflect the implementation of new features at this time, but which may be a sign of things to come.
- Siri may be able to tell you about traffic conditions while in the car.
- There are suggestions of new Siri car orders that could be implemented in the future.
- There is a mention of U1 chip pairs for the car, which may be related to the plans of some car manufacturers to implement Ultra Wideband support for digital keys. BMW announced a “Digital Key Plus” feature that will use Ultra Wideband in January.
- There is an “Edutainment” plugin reference.
- IOS 14.5 is mentioned in the code of financial health features that can analyze your spending to provide suggestions on how to improve your finances. Apparently the feature could help you plan purchases and payment schedules for funded products.
- Facial SensorKit UI metrics and speech metrics appear to be related to health studies. These features allow the iPhone to detect and listen to facial expressions for laughter, shouting, and other emotion-related measurements.
- We may see a new Shazam integration, with Apple adding a new background Shazam process.
- ContactSiri may be able to change future communication entries.
- There are some new wallpaper ideas, but outdoor wallpaper changes do not change.
- There are new diagnostic sounds, possibly related to AirPods Pro repair and testing.
Guiding ideas
Do you know of anything we left out of our iOS 14.5 feature list? Let us know in the comments.