On Monday, Apple launched iOS 14.5, a major new software upgrade for iPhones. The update includes several new features, including enhancements to Siri, Podcasts, Apple News, and support for the most recent game console controllers. The one, that has gotten the most attention is Apple’s recent privacy update, which allows consumers more access and control over applications, that wish to watch them for advertising purposes. The privacy reform has concerned Facebook in particular, as it will hinder its ability to successfully target advertising to iPhone users.
However, there are several other features. Here’s a rundown on what’s fresh in iOS 14.5. Apps have a more difficult time monitoring you. IOS 14.5 contains the App Tracking Transparency framework, which is intended to have a significant impact on how smartphone advertising works. When you open an app that needs to use your special user ID for advertisers, you can see a pop-up. The pop-up will ask you if you want to be followed and explain why the app needs you to. For example, an app can claim that allowing monitoring would provide you with a better ad experience.
Many businesses who rely on internet advertising have stated that the privacy reform would reduce the efficacy and viability of targeted advertisements. Facebook has launched an anti-change initiative and claims to be losing money as a result. However, it is unclear how much. MKM Partners analysts predicted that Apple’s improvements will have a greater effect in the second half of last year, but as of last week, they anticipated a “fairly fleeting and marginal fundamental impact on the environment.”
When you’re wearing a mask, Apple Watch will open your iPhone
Apple introduced this functionality because its most recent phones depend on Face ID, which does not work when you wear a mask. You can also use your Apple Watch to open your iPhone while wearing a mask.
Siri now has new voices
When you set up your iPhone, Apple’s Siri voice assistant no longer switches to a female voice. When you first turn on your new iPhone, you’ll be asked to choose one of four default voices. It features two new Black American male and female voices in English, as well as a new male voice.
Siri will announce phone calls via AirPods
Siri can now announce calls made via AirPods or CarPlay while driving, and allow you to answer the call by speaking. This expands on an existing feature that allows Siri to read your text messages from AirPods.
Podcasts and News
Apple is now updating the Podcast and Apple News apps. Podcasts, which will fund paid subscribers to channels in May, have new cover art for the shows you’re listening to, comparable to Apple Music. It now has new Saved Episodes for listening later, new offline and syncing preferences for devices including the Mac and iPad, so you can browse stored episodes on other devices, and better search features. Apple News also has a better search function, a redesigned Apple News+ tab for managing magazines you’ve downloaded, and a new article search function for searching individual articles.
Controllers from the Xbox Series S/X and the PlayStation 5 are included
IOS 14.5 adds Bluetooth support for the new Microsoft Xbox Series S/X and Sony PlayStation 5 controllers, which previously did not fit with iPhone. This ensures that users of the new systems would be able to play games with controller support on their iPhones and iPads. It’s particularly helpful if you’re using Microsoft’s Xbox Remote Play or the new Xbox Cloud Gaming service, which just launched.
