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Apple has released iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, watchOS 8.3, tvOS 15.2, and HomePod Software Version 15.2 for compatible devices. The common feature that all of these new updates bring to users is the addition of Apple Music Voice Plan support which allows access to Apple Music using Siri. The latest iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS updates also include the App Privacy Report which helps users see what data apps are accessing, including third-party and native Apple apps.
What’s new in iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2
According to details available in the official changelog, one of the most notable additions made by iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 is Apple Privacy Report. The activation feature is an extension of existing app recording activity and lets you see how often apps access your data, such as your location, camera, and microphone. It will also allow you to see information about an app’s network and website network activity to detail the web links that you have accessed through your installed apps or the websites that you have directly visited in those apps.
You can enable the app privacy report by going to Settings > Private life > Application privacy report. The feature may take some time to break down the app data.
The other big change that iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 bring to iPhone and iPad users respectively is the Communication Security setting which allows parents to turn on warnings that will appear when their kids receive or send photos. with nudity. It was announced at the same time as the Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) updates which raised privacy concerns among users.
Apple has also updated Siri, Spotlight and Safari Search with extended guidelines to help kids and parents stay safe online and get help in dangerous situations, the changelogs mentioned.
The latest iOS and iPadOS updates also include Digital Legacy which helps you designate your loved ones as legacy contacts to allow them access to your iCloud account and personal information in the event of death.
Apple Music Voice Plan has also been added as a new subscription level to let you access all your favorite songs, playlists and stations in Apple Music using Siri. It was announced alongside the AirPods (3rd generation) release in October and is available at Rs. 49 per month in India ($ 4.99 in US).
For iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 15.2 brings macro photo control to let you switch to Ultra Wide lens to capture macro photos. The new iOS version also allows Find My to locate your iPhone in power reserve for up to five hours.
iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 also introduced Hide My Email in Mail app for iCloud + subscribers. It allows paid users to create random email addresses and hide their personal addresses.
Users with an iPad were also given the option to access Quick Note by swiping from the lower left or lower right corner of the screen. This experience is already available for Mac users. Additionally, Apple has allowed iPhone and iPad users to delete and rename tags in Reminders and Notes.
You can view the various bug fixes included in iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 by viewing the list below.
- Siri may not respond when VoiceOver is running and iPhone is locked
- ProRAW photos may appear overexposed when viewed in third-party photo editing applications
- HomeKit scenes that include a garage door may not play from CarPlay when your iPhone is locked
- CarPlay may not update current playback information for some apps
- Video streaming apps may not load content on iPhone 13 models
- Calendar events might appear on the wrong day for Microsoft Exchange users
- Siri may not respond when VoiceOver is running and iPad is locked
- ProRAW photos may appear overexposed when viewed in third-party photo editing applications
- Calendar events might appear on the wrong day for Microsoft Exchange users
Apple has also included security fixes in iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 which are detailed on its support site.
What’s new in macOS Monterey 12.1
With macOS Monterey 12.1, Apple introduced SharePlay on Mac. The new experience, which debuted on iPhone and iPad in October, lets you share content from the Apple TV app, Apple Music, and other supported apps via FaceTime calls.
The new version of macOS Monterey also comes with an updated Photos app where you will get a redesigned Memories carousel with a new interactive interface, animations and transition styles as well as several image collages. There are also new types of memory, including additional international vacations, kid-focused memories, trends over time, and enhanced pet memories.
Similar to the latest iOS and iPadOS updates, macOS Monterey 12.1 includes a communication security setting in Messages and extended tips in Siri, Spotlight, and Safari Search. The update also introduces Digital Legacy to Mac laptops. Additionally, Mac users get Hide My Email in Mail app just like iPhone and iPad users. There is also Apple Music Voice Plan support to get the new Siri-only music streaming experience.
Below are the bug fixes included in macOS Monterey 12.1.
- Desktop and screensaver may appear blank after selecting photos from photos library
- The trackpad may stop responding to taps or clicks
- External displays may not charge some MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers when connected via Thunderbolt or USB-C
- Playing HDR Videos on YouTube.com Could Panic 2021 MacBook Pro Computers
- Menu bar extras may be hidden by the camera body on 2021 MacBook Pro computers
- MagSafe may stop charging on 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro computers when the lid is closed and the system is shut down
You can also check out the security fixes Apple included in the latest version of macOS.
What’s new in watchOS 8.3
For Apple Watch users, Apple released watchOS 8.3 with features like Apple Music Voice Plan and support for App Privacy Report. The latter allows you to record data and access to the sensors that you can see on your connected iPhone. The watchOS update also fixes an issue where notifications interrupt Mindfulness sessions unexpectedly for some users.
Apple has also detailed a list of security fixes that are part of watchOS 8.3 on its support site.
What’s new in tvOS 15.2
Apple brought tvOS 15.2 to Apple TV users with a new photo memories experience. As mentioned above, it comes with an interactive interface and includes new animation and transition styles, as well as several image collages. Apple Music subscribers will also hear songs that align expert recommendations with your music tastes and the content of your photos and videos. The update also brings Siri support for Dutch and French in Belgium, Russian in Russia, and French, German and Italian in Switzerland. You can let Siri search for shows, music, and other items by going to Settings > General > Siri.
The tvOS update also brings views of Iceland and Scotland to screen savers. Users can also download new antennas by going to Settings > General > Screen saver.
In addition to the new features, tvOS 15.2 brings a number of security fixes detailed on the Apple support site.
What’s new in HomePod software version 15.2
HomePod users received HomePod software version 15.2 which supports Apple Music Voice Plan to provide access to Apple Music content using Siri. Siri in the new version of the software also supports voice recognition for up to six users in a home in French (Canada, France), Spanish (Mexico, Spain, United States) and German (Austria, Germany).
In addition to the new software for HomePod, the Home app has been updated with home location services and sound verification settings. It also allows users to allow per-user explicit content settings for music, podcasts, and third-party music services. In addition, the app has set the settings to update listening history by user and by device for music and podcasts.
How to download iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2
Users can download iOS 15.2 to your iPhone or iPod touch model eligible for iOS 15. Likewise, iPadOS 15.2 is compatible with iPad models eligible for iPadOS 15. New iOS and iPadOS updates can be downloaded by going to Settings > General > Software update of the device.
How to download macOS Monterey 12.1
Apple has deployed macOS Monterey 12.1 on all qualifying MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro. You can manually check for the update by going to System Preferences > Software update after clicking on the Apple menu icon in the upper left corner of your computer screen. You can also get the update by visiting the About this Mac setting in the Apple menu.
How to download watchOS 8.3
You can download watchOS 8.3 on Apple Watch Series 3 and above through General > Software update on the Watch app on your iPhone. You can also download the update from your Apple Watch if it is connected to Wi-Fi, by going to Settings > General > Software update.
How to download tvOS 15.2
Users with a compatible Apple TV model eligible for tvOS 15 can download tvOS 15.2 to their device by going to Settings > System > Software update. The new software version will also reach compatible devices if automatic updates are enabled on the user side.
How to download HomePod software version 15.2
Apple automatically sends software updates to HomePod and HomePod mini. You can, however, check HomePod software version 15.2 for your device by going to Home settings > Software update from the Home application. Make sure your connected Apple device is running the latest software version.
