Apple Releases iOS 12.5.1 Update For Older iPhones

Apple has posted iOS 12.5.1, an update that is available for older iPhones that can’t install iOS 14. 

The update features an Exposure Notifications bug fix. You can download the update by going to Settings —> General —> Software Update on your iPhone.

Apple Has Released iOS 12.4.2 For Older iPhones

Apple has released iOS 12.4.2 for some older iPhone and iPad models that don’t have the ability to upgrade to iOS 13. This includes the iPad Air, the iPad mini 2, and iPad mini 3, as well as the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. You can download iOS 12.4.2 by launching the Settings app, choosing General section, and selecting Software Update. 

A Vulnerability In iOS 12.4 Makes Jailbreaking A Thing Again (UPDATE)

UPDATE 8/30/19 - Apple has released iOS 12.4.1 which fixes the vulnerability.

Original Story -  
Looks like hackers can dust off their jailbreaking skills as a vulnerability was discovered in iOS 12.4. According to Vice, iOS 12.4, the latest version, reintroduced a bug that was fixed in iOS 12.3. Several iPhone users took to Twitter, claiming they used the Pwn20wnd jailbreak on their phones. Unfortunately, the bug also makes it easier to hack iPhones. So, until iOS 12.4.1 comes out, many iPhones are at risk. 

Apple Releases iOS 12.3.1

Apple has released iOS 12.3.1. It provides bug fixes for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch regarding to Voice over LTE calls and Messages.  The upgrade is available on eligible devices in the Settings app (Settings > General > Software Update).

Apple Releases iOS 12.2 With Apple News+ Support And More

Apple has released iOS 12.2. You can download it on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings --> General --> Software Update. 

The upgrade provides support for the just-announced Apple News+, adds the ability for Siri to play videos from your iOS device to an Apple TV, and includes four new Animoji. The update also includes bug fixes and other improvements.

80% Of Compatible Devices Are Running iOS 12

80% of compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices are now running iOS 12 Apple announced in a support webpage.

iOS 12 Is Installed On 78% Of Compatible Devices

iOS 12 is now installed on 78% of devices released in the last four years, according to new data at the Apple App Store support page for developers. 

What’s really interesting is that 75% of all compatible devices are now using iOS 12 based on stats as of Jan. 1, 2019. The operating system update was released 3.5 months ago.

Apple Releases iOS 12.1.2

Apple has released iOS 12.1.2. Here are the patch notes:

• Fixes bugs with eSIM activation for the iPhone Xr, iPhone Xs, and iPhone Xs Max;
  
• Addresses an issue that could affect cellular connectivity in Turkey for the iPhone Xr, iPhone Xs, and iPhone Xs Max.

You can download iOS 12.1.2 by going to Settings --> General --> Software Update. 

Apple Releases iOS 12.1.1, macOS 10.14.2, And tvOS 12.1.1

Apple has released iOS 12.1.2, macOS 10.14.2, and tvOS 12.1.2. According to Apple’s release notes, iOS 12.1.1 other features and improvements include: 

• Notification preview using haptic touch on iPhone XR 
  
• Dual SIM with eSIM for additional carriers on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max 
  
• One tap to flip between the rear and front-facing camera during a FaceTime call 
  
• Live Photo capture during one-to-one FaceTime calls 
  
• The option to hide the sidebar in News on iPad in landscape orientation 
  
• Real-time text (RTT) when using Wi-Fi calling on iPad and iPod touch 
  
• Stability improvements for dictation along with VoiceOver 
  
• Bug fixes, including one for the HomePod the involve HomePod LEDs illuminating during Group FaceTime calls.
  The iOS 12.1.1 update is available on eligible iPhone and iPads in the Settings app (Settings > General > Software Update).
  

macOS 10.14.2 Mojave contains security enhancements and bug fixes. To download it, go to the Settings app and click Software Update.

tvOS 12.1.1 boasts bug fixes and usability enhancements. You can initiate the update via the Settings menu on the Apple TV.

Apple Releases iOS 12.1, Bringing Group FaceTime And More To iPhones/iPads

Apple has released iOS 12.1, bringing Group FaceTime and more than 70 new emoji to the iPhone and iPad. 

Group FaceTime will allow you to chat with from 2 to 32 people. Apple says it will offer simple ways to add another person, join an active FaceTime call, or use the same camera effects available in Messages to add stickers, filters or appear to friends and family as an Animoji or Memoji. When an invitation is received, people can choose to join using audio or video from iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Additional features coming to FaceTime in iOS 12.1:

• Automatic detection of active speakers: FaceTime uses on-device intelligence to display the most prominent speakers on the call, automatically highlighting the current speaker by bringing them to the forefront. It automatically sizes each person’s image depending upon how active they are in the conversation, based on duration of speech, volume and even motion. Participants who aren’t active will appear at the bottom of the screen until they speak. A simple tap also brings a participant front and center.
  
• Ringless notification: When calling more than one person, FaceTime displays a notification that lets you instantly join a call without being disruptive.
  
• Messages integration: Group FaceTime is integrated into the Messages app, making it easy to start a Group FaceTime right from a group iMessage chat. If people in a conversation have already started a FaceTime session, Messages shows the active call in the conversation list and inside your conversations.
  
• Private: All FaceTime conversations, both one-to-one and multi-person, are encrypted end to end so they remain private and viewable only by the participants.
  More than 70 new emoji come to iPhone and iPad with iOS 12.1, including new characters with red hair, gray hair and curly hair, a new emoji for bald people, more emotive smiley faces and additional emoji representing animals, sports and food. New emoji will also be available on Apple Watch and Mac with a free software update.
  

iOS 12.1 also brings Depth Control in real-time preview and Dual SIM support to iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr customers. Apple says that advanced depth segmentation in Portrait mode enables more sophisticated portraits with professional-level bokeh. 

With iOS 12.1, users can dynamically adjust the depth of field in real-time preview in addition to post-capture, enabling more control to create portraits with a beautiful background blur. Portrait mode with Depth Control is also available on the TrueDepth camera for selfies, which includes Memoji and faster face tracking support for third-party ARKit apps.

With iOS 12.1, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR gain Dual SIM support, featuring a nano-SIM and digital eSIM. Users can now activate an additional cellular plan from a carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM. For more information about setting up Dual SIM, visit support.apple.com/en-us/HT209044.

Apple Releases iOS 12.0.1 With iPhone Xs Fixes And More

Apple has released iOS 12.0.1. To access the update on eligible devices, go to Settings --> General --> Software Update. The upgrade includes the following:

• Fixes an issue where some iPhone Xs devices did not immediately charge when connected to a Lightning cable;
  
• Resolves an issue that could cause iPhone Xs devices to rejoin a Wi-Fi network at 2.4GHz instead of 5GHz;
  
• Restores the original position of the “.?123″ key on the iPad keyboard;
  
• Fixes an issue where subtitles may not appear in some video apps;
  
• Addresses an issue where Bluetooth could become unavailable.
  

iOS 12.1 Adds New Emojis And Address Charging Bug

The developer build for iOS 12.1 has been released and with it comes more than 70 new emojis + more. Some of the emojis include new characters with red hair, gray hair and curly hair, a new emoji for bald people, more emotive smiley faces and additional emoji representing animals, sports and food. iOS 12.1 also looks to address the charging issue that is currently affecting the iPhone Xs, and the Xs Max. A public release for iOS 12.1 is said to happen sometime this month. Take that as a rumor for now. Thoughts ?

macOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS Updates Releasing In Less Than 2 Weeks

Apple has announced that major updates to all its operating systems are coming within two weeks. iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 will be available on September 17. macOS Mojave will be available a week later on September 24.

Apple Removes Group Facetime From Latest Dev Betas Of iOS 12 And macOS Mojave

Apple recently released the seventh developer betas of iOS 12 and macOS Mojave and something is missing. As noted by MacRumors, Apple has removed Group FaceTime from the iOS 12 and Mojave betas, saying it “will ship in a future software update later this fall.”

Group FaceTime will allow you to chat with up to 30 folks at the same time. Apple says that participants can be added at any time and choose to join using video or audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac or participate using FaceTime audio from Apple Watch. Apple did not give an explanation as to why Group FaceTime was removed. 

Group FaceTime Removed From Latest Developer Beta Of iOS 12 And macOS Mojave

Apple has released the seventh developer betas of iOS 12, macOS Mojave, tvOS 12,  and watchOS 5. However, Apple has removed Group FaceTime from the iOS 12 and Mojave betas, saying it “will ship in a future software update later this fall” as noted by MacRumors. 

Group FaceTime will allow you to chat with up to 30 folks at the same time. Apple says that participants can be added at any time, join later if the conversation is still active and choose to join using video or audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac or participate using FaceTime audio from Apple Watch.

iOS 12 Developer Beta Shows Icon For Bezel-less iPad With Face ID

An icon that provides hints on the design we can expect to see in the upcoming 2018 iPad Pro models was spotted in the latest beta of iOS 12. The icon seems to suggest that the upcoming iPad Pro models will feature thin bezels at the top and bottom of the device with the TrueDepth camera located in the top bezel rather than implemented through a notch design. Seems like Apple wants all iOS deceives to be bezel less and have the TrueDepth camera thoughts ?

Apple Releases First Public Beta For iOS 12, macOS Mojave And tvOS 12

Apple has released the first public beta versions of iOS 12, macOS Mojave, and tvOS 12, all of which it previewed at this month’s Worldwide Developer Conference. The public betas are available on Apple's Beta Software Program website. Just remember that beta software, so proceed with care. Apple does public betas in order to increase the size of the pool of testers. Apple recommends keeping back-ups of your files before installing a public beta.

iOS 12 Introduces Memoji, Group FaceTime, Siri Shortcuts, ARKit And Much More

During Apple’s WWDC 2018 keynote, Apple announced iOS 12, the latest version of its mobile operating system. It runs on iPhones and iPads dating back to 2013 and will be available this fall.

iOS 12 is designed to make everyday tasks on iPhone and iPad faster and more responsive with performance improvements across the system. Camera  purportedly launches up to 70% faster, the keyboard appears up to 50% faster, and typing is more responsive. 

ARKit 2 enables developers to create the most innovative AR apps for the world’s largest AR platform, with new tools to integrate shared experiences, persistent AR experiences tied to a specific location, object detection and image tracking. Designed in collaboration with Pixar, a new open file format, usdz, makes it easy to experience AR nearly anywhere in iOS, including apps like Messages, Safari, Mail, Files and News, delivering graphics and animation features, says Federighi.

New features make communicating with friends and family from iPhone X more expressive with new Animoji and personalized “Memoji" characters that can be created and customized right within Messages by choosing from a set of inclusive and diverse characteristics to form a unique personality.  The existing set of Animoji also expands with ghost, koala, tiger and T. rex. All Animoji and Memoji now feature winks and tongue detection to capture even more expressions. New camera effects bring Animoji, Filters, Text and Stickers to Messages and FaceTime. Filters like comic book and watercolor add personality to photos and videos, new labels and shapes let users add captions and titles to highlight parts of an image, and stickers can be placed using iMessage sticker packs.

With Group FaceTime, it’s easy to chat with up to 30 folks at the same time. Participants can be added at any time, join later if the conversation is still active and choose to join using video or audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac or participate using FaceTime audio from Apple Watch.

Siri Shortcuts deliver a new, faster way to get things done with the ability for any app to work with Siri, says Federighi. Siri intelligence can suggest an action at just the right time. Users can customize Shortcuts by creating a simple voice command to kick off the task or download the new Shortcuts app to create a series of actions from different apps that can be carried out with a simple tap or customized voice command. 

Developers can take advantage of this new capability using Shortcut APIs [application programming interfaces]. An all-new For You tab surfaces favorite moments in one place, combining Memories and iCloud Shared Albums. A new sharing suggestions feature helps you share photos with friends, and friends who receive photos are prompted to share back any photos and videos they’ve from the same trip or event. Search suggestions surface the most relevant Events, People, Places, Groups, Categories and recent searches, and new search functionality lets users combine multiple search terms to find just the right photos.

New tools built into iOS 12 help customers understand and take control of the time they spend interacting with their iOS devices, according to Federighi. New modes in Do Not Disturb automatically end based on a specified time, location or action, and Do Not Disturb during Bedtime is designed to help people get a better night’s sleep by dimming the display and hiding all notifications on the lock screen until prompted in the morning.

To help reduce interruptions, iOS 12 gives users more options for controlling how notifications are delivered. They can instantly manage notifications to be delivered quietly or turned off completely. Grouped notifications make it easier to view and manage multiple notifications at once.

Screen Time provides users with detailed information and tools to help them better understand and control the time they spend with apps and websites. Daily and weekly Activity Reports show the total time spent in individual apps, usage across categories of apps, how many notifications are received and how often iPhone or iPad are picked up. Screen Time also gives parents access to their child’s Activity Report right from their own iOS devices using Family Sharing in iCloud, and allows them to schedule times to limit when a child’s iOS device can be used, such as during bedtime.

Enhanced privacy and security remain a top priority in iOS 12. In Safari, enhanced Intelligent Tracking Prevention helps block social media “Like” or “Share” buttons and comment widgets from tracking users without permission. 

Safari now also presents simplified system information when users browse the web, preventing them from being tracked based on their system configuration. Safari now also automatically creates, autofills and stores strong passwords when users create new online accounts and flags reused passwords so users can change them.

Other new features in iOS 12 include:

• Apple Books is redesigned to make it easier to discover and enjoy books and audiobooks, and the Book Store tab makes it easy to explore new titles and browse the top charts, curated collections and special offers.
• Apple News is redesigned to make it easier to discover new channels and topics or jump straight to favorites, and on iPad, a new sidebar makes navigation even simpler.
• The Stocks comes to the iPad.
• CarPlay adds support for third-party navigation apps displayed right on the car’s dash — joining music, messaging, calling and automaker apps.
• Voice Memos is now available on iPad and adds iCloud support to sync recordings and edits across devices.
• Siri translation expands to more than 40 language pairs and brings more knowledge of sports, celebrities, food and nutrition. Siri can also surface favorite photos by person, place, event, time and topic.
• Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch adds support for student ID cards, making it more convenient to access everything on campus.

Apple To Focus On Security, Stability Instead Of New Features For iOS 12

According to an Axio report, Apple has tweaked its iOS
software plans for 2018, delaying some features to 2019 in an effort to put more focus on addressing performance and quality issues. This makes sense as Apple has been criticized due to security glitches in both iOS and macOS, as well as for how it handles battery issues on older devices aka “Batterygate”. Look for Apple’s iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS plans to be unveiled at this summer’s Worldwide Developer Conference.