Apple Releases macOS Monterey 12.4, Studio Display Firmware 15.5

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.4 and Studio Display Firmware 15.5. The former provides support for new Podcasts app features as well as the Studio Display webcam fix.

According to Apple’s release notes, macOS 12.4 provides the following improvements:

• Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on your Mac and automatically delete older ones;
• Support for Studio Display Firmware Update 15.5 (also available as a separate update) that refines camera tuning, including improved noise reduction, contrast, and framing

You can download macOS Monterey 12.4 by going to System Preferences —> Software Update. And if you’re not running macOS Monterey, you can obtain macOS Big Sur 11.6.6 via the same process. The upgrade provides bug/security fixes and speed improvements.

Apple Releases macOS Monterey 12.3.1, iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, tvOS 15.4.1, And watchOS 8.5.1

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.3.1, iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, tvOS 15.4.1, and watchOS 8.5.1.

MACOS MONTEREY 12.3.1

macOS Monterey 12.3.1 is a maintenance upgrade with fixes for external displays, Bluetooth-related issues, and support for the new Business Essentials program. According to Apple’s release notes, the upgrade fixes the following issues:

USB-C or Thunderbolt external display does not turn on when connected to Mac mini (2018) as a second display
– Bluetooth devices, such as game controllers, may disconnect from your Mac after playing audio through some Beats headphones

macOS Monterey 12.3.1 also fixes two other vulnerabilities, including an AppleAVD issue that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges and an Intel Graphics Driver issue that could allow an application to read kernel memory.

You can download macOS Monterey 12.3.1 by going to System Preferences —> Software Update. While there, if you have one of the new Apple Studio displays, you’ll also find Apple Studio Display Firmware Update 15.4. 

iOS 15.4.1 AND iPADOS 15.4.1

According to Apple, iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1 provide the following bug fixes for your iPhone:
Battery may drain more quickly than expected after updating to iOS 15.4
Braille devices may become unresponsive while navigating text or displaying an alert
Made for iPhone hearing devices may lose connection within some third-party apps

You can update your iPhone and iPad by going to Settings —> General —> Software Update.

HOMEPOD 15.4.1

Apple has also updated the HomePod firmware to version 15.4.1.According to Apple’s release notes, it addresses an issue where some HomeKit-enabled accessories could fail to respond when controlled via Siri. This update also includes bug fixes for your HomePod.

Your HomePod and HomePod mini should automatically update. If not:

• Make sure that your iOS device is updated to the latest version of iOS.
• On your iOS device, open the Home app and tap  the house icon in the upper-left corner.
• Tap Software Update.
• Tap Install. This will install the update on all of your HomePod speakers you have set up in your home.

TVOS 15.4.1

tvOS 15.4.1 includes bug fixes and minor improvements. It can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System —> Software Update. ‌‌‌‌If you have an Apple TV and have automatic software updates enabled, it should upgrade automatically.

WATCHOS 8.5.1

watchOS 8.5.1 is a maintenance upgrade with security updates and bug fixes.

WatchOS 8.5.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General —> Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50% battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌.

Apple Releases iOS 15.3.1, iPadOS 15.3.1, watchOS 8.4.2 And macOS Monterey 12.2.1

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.2.1, iOS 15.3.1, iPadOS 15.3.1, and watchOS 8.4.2. All sport fix various bug issues and offer security updates.

According to Apple’s release notes, ‌macOS Monterey‌ 12.2.1 addresses a bug that was causing Bluetooth devices connected to Macs to drain an excessive amount of battery. You can download the update by doing to System Preferences —> Software Update

According to Apple’s release notes, iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 fix an issue that could cause Braille displays to stop responding. It also “provides important security updates.” You can update your iPhone and iPad by going to Settings —> General —> Software Update.

watchOS ‌8.4.2 is a maintenance upgrade with bug fixes and security updates. It can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General —> Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50% battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌.

Apple Is Delaying macOS Universal Control Until Spring 2022

Apple demonstrated Universal Control back at WWDC 2021, which allows users to control numerous Macs and iPads with a single mouse, keyboard, or trackpad. Apple indicated the capability and SharePlay will come to Macs later in the fall when company released macOS Monterey in October. Although SharePlay is now accessible on Mac, Universal Control will have to wait a little longer.

Universal Control will not be accessible until spring 2022, according to Apple's website. The delay might come as a disappointment to those who were hoping for more seamless connectivity between their devices in the near future. Still, rather than publishing a possibly defective version, it's best to make sure the feature works properly.

The feature will be available on MacBook and Macbook Pro (2016 and later), the 2019 Mac Pro, MacBook Air (2018 and later), iMac (2017 and later) and the 5K Retina 27-inch iMac from late 2015. As for supported tablets, you'll be able to use iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later) and iPad mini (5th generation and later) with Universal Control.

All of your devices must be logged into iCloud with the same Apple ID. If the devices are within 30 feet of each other, you can connect them by USB or use Universal Control wirelessly.

SharePlay Won’t Be Apart Of The Initial Release Of macOS Monterey, iPadOS 15 And iOS 15

 Apple’s SharePlay feature won’t debut in the first releases of macOS Monterey, iOS 15, and iPadOS 15.

“SharePlay has been disabled for use in the developer beta 6 versions of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and tvOS 15, and will be disabled in the upcoming beta 6 release of macOS Monterey,” Apple says. “SharePlay will also be disabled for use in their initial releases this fall. SharePlay will be enabled for use again in future developer beta releases and will launch to the public in software updates later this fall. Your team can continue developing SharePlay support for your apps by installing this development profile.

Here’s how Apple described SharePlay when it was announced at June’s Worldwide Developer Conference: Users can now share experiences with SharePlay while connecting with friends on FaceTime, including listening to songs together with Apple Music, watching a TV show or movie in sync, or sharing their screen to view apps together. SharePlay works across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With shared playback controls, anyone in a SharePlay session can play, pause, or jump ahead. 

What’s more, SharePlay extends to Apple TV, so users can watch shows or movies on a big screen while connecting over FaceTime. SharePlay will keep everyone’s playback in sync. Disney+, ESPN+, HBO Max, Hulu, MasterClass, Paramount+, Pluto TV, TikTok, Twitch, and many others are integrating SharePlay into their apps — creating entirely new ways to connect.

macOS Monterey Adds AirPlay To Mac, SharePlay And More

Apple has announced the next-generation macOS, code-named Monterey.

macOS Monterey comes with new ways for users to connect, get more done, and work more fluidly across their Apple devices. SharePlay, a new feature in FaceTime, lets users share experiences together, and Shared with You makes it easy to discover and enjoy content shared through Messages right in Photos, Safari, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, and the Apple TV app. A major update to Safari features a gorgeous streamlined tab bar and powerful tab organization with Tab Groups, Shortcuts comes to the Mac to automate everyday tasks, and Focus helps users stay on task and reduce distractions. Additionally, Universal Control and AirPlay to Mac are new Continuity features that offer more ways to work effortlessly across Apple devices. macOS Monterey will support the broadest lineup of Macs in history, including the latest iMac, MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, as well as Apple’s Intel-based Macs.

“macOS Monterey is packed with features that help Mac users get more done, connect with friends and family in amazing new ways, and work across Mac and iPad more seamlessly than ever before,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We think our customers are going to love browsing the web with Safari’s new tab design, enjoying shared experiences with SharePlay in FaceTime, and using their Mac and other Apple devices together in new ways with Universal Control and AirPlay to Mac.”

GETTING MORE DONE WITH MAC

New tools in macOS Monterey are designed to help users get more done, stay focused, and collaborate:

• Already the world’s fastest browser, Safari now reimagines the browsing experience with a new tab design that lets users see more of the page as they scroll. A new tab bar takes on the color of the webpage and combines tabs, the tool bar, and the search field into a single compact design. Tab Groups offer a new way to easily save and manage tabs — great for planning trips, shopping, or storing the tabs users visit daily. Tab Groups also sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad, so users can continue their project from anywhere and easily share tabs with friends and family.

• Shortcuts arrives on the Mac to help users automate everyday tasks and achieve peak productivity. Just like on iPhone and iPad, Shortcuts on Mac lets users quickly accomplish tasks with the apps they use the most. With a rich gallery of pre-built actions designed just for Mac, users can instantly share files, make animated GIFs, and more. Power users looking to take things further can use the Shortcuts Editor on Mac to customize shortcuts to match their workflows. Shortcuts is integrated throughout macOS, including the menu bar, Finder, Spotlight, and even hands-free with Siri — making it easy to run shortcuts no matter which app the user is in. Users can easily import existing Automator workflows into Shortcuts and be up and running right away.

• New features in Notes help users stay organized, collaborate, and create notes from anywhere. Quick Note is a new way for users to jot down notes on any app or website systemwide, making it easy to capture thoughts and ideas wherever inspiration strikes. Users can also add links from an app to their Quick Note to create context, even on a website in Safari or an address in Maps. As users work through projects in Notes with friends or colleagues, they can add mentions, see everyone’s edits in the new Activity View, and categorize their Notes with tags to quickly and easily find them in the new Tag Browser and in tag-based Smart Folders.

• With Focus, Mac users can stay in the moment by automatically filtering out notifications unrelated to their current activity. Users can signal their status to let others know when they are focusing and not available. When a user has Focus set on one device, it automatically sets across their other devices and can be customized based on their current activity — whether they are preparing for a presentation or wrapping up an assignment for school.

ALL-NEW WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

macOS Monterey provides meaningful new ways to connect and enjoy time with friends, family, and colleagues:

• FaceTime now includes a suite of new audio and video features that make calls feel more natural and lifelike. With spatial audio, voices in a FaceTime call sound like they are coming from where the person is positioned on the screen, while Voice Isolation ensures the user’s voice is crystal clear and uses machine learning to eliminate background noise, and Wide Spectrum allows all the sound in the area to come through so participants can hear everything. Portrait mode taps into the Apple Neural Engine in the M1 chip to blur the user’s background for a stunning video effect, and a new Grid View shows participants in same-sized tiles.

• SharePlay is a powerful set of system features that enables users to have shared experiences while on a FaceTime call. Users can share their favorite music, TV shows, movies, projects, and more with friends and family in real time — kicking off a shared listening party, watching movies and shows, collaborating in apps through screen sharing, and more. With an API built for easy adoption, third-party developers can bring their own apps right into FaceTime.

• Shared with You makes it easy to locate and enjoy all the great content that’s shared through Messages, including photos, videos, articles, and more, right from a Shared with You tab within Photos, Safari, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, and the Apple TV app.

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ADDITIONAL NEW FEATURES OF MACOS MONTEREY

• With the new interactive globe in Maps and an amazing, immersive, and detailed city experience, users can enjoy new ways to navigate and explore the natural beauty of the Earth on the Mac’s large, gorgeous display.

• Live Text uses on-device machine learning to detect text in photos, including phone numbers, websites, addresses, and tracking numbers, so users can copy and paste, make a phone call, open a website, and easily find more information. Visual Lookup also uses machine learning to help users discover and learn about animals, art, landmarks, plants, and more in photos. These features work across macOS, including in apps like Photos, Messages, and Safari.

• iCloud+ combines everything users love about iCloud with new premium features, including Hide My Email, expanded HomeKit Secure Video support, and an innovative new internet privacy service, iCloud Private Relay, at no additional cost.

• AirPods Pro and AirPods Max deliver a theater-like experience with spatial audio on Macs with the M1 chip.

• Privacy features like Mail Privacy Protection let users choose whether emails can collect information about their Mail activity, and the Mac recording indicator now shows which app is accessing the Mac’s microphone.

• New accessibility features let anyone add alternative image descriptions right from Markup, and improved Full Keyboard Access and new cursor customization options provide more flexibility when navigating Mac.

Developer betas are available now, a public beta opens in July, and the new OS is expected to ship this fall.