This week saw a good mix of news and rumors from Apple, led by the launch of iOS 14.4, a report of Apple’s successful earnings and a new report that the next Apple Watch may be able to monitor blood glucose levels.
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We’ve also moved forward with Apple’s new “Time to Walk” feature for the Apple Watch, while AirPods Max owners can now purchase independent ear cushions to mix and match colors. Read all the details!
All new on iOS 14.4
Apple publicly released iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 this week with a handful of new features and bug fixes for iPhone and iPad users.
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IOS 14.4 features a notification on iPhone 12 models with non-original cameras, the option to classify the type of Bluetooth device in Settings for the correct identification of headphones for audio notifications and more.
Apple also released watchOS 7.3, which expands the ECG app on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer to Japan, Mayotte, Thailand and the Philippines, and features a new “Unity” watch face based on the Pan African flag. tvOS 14.4 was also released, while macOS 11.2 remains in beta.
Apple announced this week that its privacy measure of transparency in app tracking will be required starting with the next beta versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and tvOS 14, which means apps will need to request permission to track users and collect the identifier randomization of your devices for advertising purposes. Apple says software updates will be released publicly in early spring.
Apple reports record quarter with $ 111 billion in revenue
Apple this week released its earnings results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, which corresponds to the fourth quarter of calendar year 2020.
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The quarter was a blow to Apple, which reported a record $ 111.4 billion in quarterly revenue, with strength across all product categories, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and more.
Apple prospered financially during the pandemic, as many customers work, learn and connect with others at home. Apple launched many new products and services during the quarter, including the entire line of iPhone 12, Macs M1 with rave analytics, a redesigned iPad Air, HomePod mini, AirPods Max, Apple Fitness + and Apple One subscription packages.
Apple Watch Series 7 features blood glucose monitoring
The Apple Watch Series 7 will feature blood glucose monitoring through an optical sensor, according to a report this week by ETNews.
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The report, which focuses primarily on the blood glucose capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, explains that Apple plans to bring blood glucose monitoring to the next Apple Watch Series 7 using a non-invasive optical sensor.
Apple has gradually expanded the health monitoring capabilities of the Apple Watch, most recently adding the ability to monitor blood oxygen levels in the Apple Watch Series 6 launched last September.
Practice with the new Apple Fitness + ‘Time to walk’ feature
Apple officially launched Time to Walk this week, a new feature that allows Apple Watch users who subscribe to Apple Fitness + to listen to audio stories of celebrities, musicians, athletes and other influential guests while walking – similar to podcasts. For wheelchair users, the feature is called Push Time.
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Time to Walk episodes are automatically downloaded to your Apple Watch with a Fitness + subscription and users can start an episode directly from the Workout app. New episodes lasting 25 to 40 minutes will appear in a different guest’s Workout app every Monday through the end of April, according to Apple.
Early guests include musicians Dolly Parton and Shawn Mendes, NBA star Draymond Green and actress Uzo Aduba, known for her role as Suzanne Warren in the original Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black”.
We took a quick look at Time to Walk in one of our most recent YouTube videos to see what it’s all about and whether it’s worth adding to Fitness +.
Apple now sells standalone ear pads for AirPods Max
Apple is now selling AirPods Max ear cushions autonomously, priced at $ 69 per set, allowing customers to mix and match colors, including silver, black, sky blue, green and red.
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The AirPods Max ear pads attach magnetically to the earmuffs and can be removed immediately, so it’s simple to change to a new color.
MacRumors simulated all possible color combinations for AirPods Max, so if you’re wondering how a specific color would look with your yourAirPods Max, the article is a valuable resource. Replacement ear cushions were initially estimated to be shipped on a business day, although delivery of different colors of silver and black quickly dropped in late March or early April. The first orders, however, are already in the hands of customers.
In other product news, Apple announced this week that it will launch a limited “Black Unity” version of the Apple Watch Series 6. This special model will be available throughout February in honor of Black History Month and comes with a “Black Unity” Sports Band based on the Pan-African Flag.
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