As Apple continues to test the beta of iOS 14.5, speculation is beginning to emerge about a possible release to the public. Currently, all signs point to a launch sometime in the spring. Keep reading while we recap everything we know about iOS 14.5 so far.
What’s new in iOS 14.5?
The biggest change in iOS 14.5 is a new feature that lets you unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch when you’re wearing a face mask. This feature also requires watchOS 7.4, which we hope will be released to the public along with iOS 14.5.
After you update and activate this feature, your iPhone will automatically unlock with your Apple Watch the next time you wear a face mask. When your iPhone unlocks, you will receive a tactile feedback notification on your Apple Watch informing you that your iPhone has been unlocked by Apple Watch. There is also the option to “lock the iPhone” quickly, directly from that Apple Watch notification.
IOS 14.5 also includes a major privacy update in the form of App Tracking Transparency, a feature scheduled for the initial release of iOS 14, but postponed until now.
Application tracking transparency is a new feature that requires applications to request permission from users before tracking them on other applications and websites. In Settings, users will also be able to see which applications have requested permission to crawl, so that they can make changes as they see fit.
For example, when this requirement goes into effect, you will see a pop-up when opening the Facebook application saying that Facebook would like to track it on other applications and websites. There will be two options to choose from: “Ask the application not to track” or “Allow”. The feature has already raised anger on Facebook.
Then iOS 14.5 brings a new Siri intelligence feature that helps the virtual assistant to adapt to your favorite music application. Apple explained this because there is no specific configuration on iOS where users can configure a “standard” music service, so this feature was designed specifically as a Siri intelligence feature.
This means that when you ask Siri to play a song for the first time after installing iOS 14.5, Siri will ask you which app you want to use. After tapping one of the options, it will become the default for the next commands. This works for apps like Spotify, Pandora and Amazon Music.
IOS 14.5 also includes notable changes to Siri. Apple says the voice assistant will no longer be standardized for a female voice as of this release. There are also two additional voice options to choose from.
Other new features in iOS 14.5:
iOS version 14.5
Apple generally does not announce the release of specific iOS updates, but this year, we received a tip about when we expect iOS 14.5 to be released.
As mentioned earlier, one of the major new features that come with iOS 14.5 is the new app tracking transparency privacy feature. Apple said App Tracking Transparency “will be widely launched in early spring, with the next release of iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and tvOS 14.” In a recent interview, Tim Cook said that transparency in application tracking is “several weeks” away at this point.
For comparison, last year, Apple released iOS 13.4 on March 24 after the announcement of the Magic Trackpad for iPad. IOS 13.4 has passed five public and developer beta tests.
IOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 may also be linked to the launch of new Apple hardware products. Rumors have suggested that Apple could launch AirTags and new iPad Pro models in April, and AirTags specifically have new features in iOS 14.5.
This means that Apple can announce AirTags and subsequently launch iOS 14.5 to the public with the new Find My features. What is not clear, however, is when Apple will launch these new products to the world and a virtual event will be held to do so.
Wrap up
As you can see, we are getting close to the public launch of iOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4 and iPadOS 14.5. In fact, we may be within a few weeks of that launch. What are you most excited to see when iOS 14.5 is released to the public? Do you plan to use the new Apple Watch Unlock feature? Let us know in the comments!
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