iOS 14.5's release date and exciting new features: Everything we know - CNET

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iOS 14 will get some new features in this month's release.

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iOS 14 was first released in September 2020, ahead of the launch of the iPhone 12. New versions of Apple's mobile operating system have come out once a month since then, with new features and bug fixes. The latest version -- iOS 14.4 -- was released on Jan. 26. We thought iOS 14.5 would arrive in late February, then in March, but now it appears that it will be sometime in April. The public beta version is available right now. 

The latest version of the OS will include new features that make it easier for you to unlock your phone while wearing a mask (so long as you also own an Apple Watch), and that require apps to ask for user permission before tracking data and activity. You'll also find new voice options for Siri, which will no longer default to a female voice. 

Read more: WatchOS 7.4 is coming: 2 new Apple Watch features people will love

Now playing: Watch this: What's new in iOS 14.5?

5:18

Here's everything we know about iOS 14.5 so far, including when it will be generally available to download, and what new features you can expect. Plus, here are the rumors we've heard about iOS 15. 

Read more: iOS 14's best new iPhone features

When is the iOS 14.5 release date?

The latest version of Apple's operating system, iOS 14.5, is now available as a public beta. That means you can download it, but it may contain some bugs, as Apple is still working on it before its final release. We don't recommend downloading any beta on the device you use regularly. 

Apple doesn't publicly announce when it will release a new version of iOS, but we can follow some clues. Since the developer beta for iOS 14.5 became available on Feb. 1, and the public beta shortly after, and releases come out roughly once a month, iOS 14.5 is now a bit more delayed than usual. We can likely expect to see the final version of iOS 14.5 sometime in April.

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How can I download the iOS 14.5 public beta?

If you do want to download the iOS 14.5 public beta and try out some of the new features (again, we'd recommend doing so on a device you don't typically use, since there could be bugs), you first have to sign up for Apple's Beta Software Program. To do that, go to beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram, and click Sign Up. You'll have to enter your Apple ID and password, and agree to the terms and conditions. Tap iOS, and under Get Started, click Enroll your Apple device. From there you'll find more instructions on how to do so. 

Once you're part of the program, you can go to Settings > Software Update, and when you see iOS 14.5 Public Beta, hit Download and Install. 

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How do I download iOS 14.5 when it's generally available? 

When it's released, you should get a prompt telling you that iOS 14.5 is now available and asking if you'd like to download it. Or you can do the following: 

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Select General. 

3. Tap Software Update. 

Your device will connect to Apple's servers and prompt you to download and install the update. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. When your device reboots, it will be running iOS 14.5. (Check out our full instructions on preparing your phone and downloading iOS 14 here.)

What devices are compatible with iOS 14.5?

iOS 14.5 will be compatible with all the same devices as iOS 14. Generally, these include the iPhone 6S ($250 at Best Buy) all the way up through the iPhone 12, along with the iPhone SE ($110 at Back Market) and the iPod Touch ($107 at Back Market) (seventh-gen). For the full list of devices compatible with iOS 14, click here. 

Now playing: Watch this: iOS 14.5 beta reveals how to unlock an iPhone while wearing...

1:44

What new features will iOS 14.5 include?

The latest version of iOS is going to bring several useful new features, including: 

Use Face ID on your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone -- even when wearing a mask

Apple Watch owners will be able to opt into a feature that lets you use Face ID to unlock your iPhone when your Watch is on and unlocked, even if your face is obscured by a mask. The Watch will provide haptic feedback letting you know your iPhone has been unlocked. 

If you have an Apple Watch, iOS 14.5 will let you use it to more easily unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask.

Aleksandar Georgiev/Getty Images

Set a default music player of your choice

Apple Music might not have to be your default music player any longer. Instead, the first time you ask Siri to play something, it'll list all the music streaming services you have installed on your device. Simply choose which one you want to set as your default player, such as Spotify. The update was first spotted by Reddit users exploring iOS 14.5's beta versions and reported Monday by MacRumors. 

More than 200 new emoji

iOS 14.5 will include 217 new emoji, including new skin-tone variations for popular emoji such as couples kissing. You'll also find new emoji like heart on fire, faces exhaling, faces in clouds and faces with spiral eyes. Changes have also been made to the syringe emoji, removing blood to make it more appropriate for depicting vaccines. 

Choose a new voice for Siri

In the latest iOS 14.5 developer beta, Siri will no longer default to a female voice. Instead, you will be prompted to choose the voice you prefer for the digital assistant. The OS will include two new voice options for English speakers. 

More Siri updates

Siri will soon have the ability to call 911 for you, with a prompt of, "Hey, Siri, call emergency." You'll see a three-second countdown, giving you the option to cancel the request. 

Stream Fitness Plus workouts with AirPlay 

iOS 14.5 and WatchOS 7.4 will let Apple Fitness Plus users stream workouts directly to AirPlay 2-compatible TVs and devices.

App tracking transparency 

iOS 14.5 includes privacy changes that will require apps to ask for user permission before tracking data and activity. This builds on a change released in iOS 14.3, which lets you see what data apps collect before you hit download. 

Dual-SIM 5G global support

iPhone 12 users will soon have dual SIM support globally, which means you can take advantage of the phone's physical SIM slot and digital eSIM to have two lines of service on the same phone. This support was previously only available in mainland China. 

Console controller support

With the update, Apple is adding iOS and iPadOS support for PS5 and Xbox Series X controllers, so you can play games on your phone or tablet. 

You'll also find some design changes to the Podcasts, News and Reminders apps. 

For more, check out some of the best hidden iPhone features we've found in iOS 14. And before you make any OS updates, make sure your iPhone and iPad are ready to do so. 

Shelby Brown contributed to this story.

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April 01, 2021 at 12:46AM
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iOS 15: The top 3 features Apple should include - TechRepublic

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These are the power user features that we need to see if Apple reveals the next version of iOS at WWDC in June.

Image: Apple, Inc.

If the last 10 years are any indication, Apple will reveal the next version of its iOS operating system in June at its online-only WWDC. Currently, there aren't any solid rumors on features in iOS 15 yet, but here are some things I wish Apple would include in the new update.

More about Mobility

1. Fine-tune Do Not Disturb 

I receive a lot of notifications. Whether from emails, social networks, Slack or messaging apps, my screen is constantly filling up with messages, reminders and breaking news alerts. Luckily, there's a Do Not Disturb mode in iOS that can silence all those notifications while I'm sleeping or on a Zoom call, but what about when I want to get one class of notifications and not others?

It would be great if we could fine-tune Do Not Disturb and classify some apps as work or personal, and set up times to get notifications from certain apps at certain times, but not others. 

For example, I'd love to turn off Slack and work email notifications after my work day is complete. Conversely, I also don't want to be bombarded with TikTok and Facebook notifications while I'm trying to focus. 

It would be great if I could allow certain text messages (either from individual people or with particular words) at night too, the same way that you can allow phone calls from certain people to break through the Do Not Disturb barrier.

Come on Apple--it's time to get our notifications under control.

SEE: How Apple users can make the most of Microsoft 365 at work (TechRepublic Premium)

2. Improve Siri 

I basically utilize Siri, Apple's "smart" voice assistant, for two things: 

1. To tell me the weather.
2. To set timers.
   

That's basically all I find her useful for. However, I use Amazon's Alexa constantly, whether to listen to music, turn on lights or unlock the door.

I'm sure I could use Siri for all those things, but the Amazon Alexa ecosystem is so much easier to use that I simply gave up on using Siri for anything other than very simple tasks. 

I realize that Apple wants to keep everything private and I appreciate the thought, but handing my life over to Amazon to keep track of just seems easier. That said, it could be smarter. If I turn on the lights on every time I get home, couldn't Siri figure that out and do it for me automatically? I shouldn't need to manually set up a routine for that.

It would also be nice if Siri could notice my routines on the computer and help me there too. When I sit down at my laptop every morning at 9 a.m. and fire up Spotify, Mail, Fantastical, Safari and all my other apps--couldn't Siri do all that for me? And then start closing things down at 5p.m., like I do every day?

Computers are supposed to make life easier. When does that start?

3. Improve autocorrect

OK Apple, I'm going to tell you something that has been frustrating iPhone users since time immemorial: no one ever wants to write the word "ducking." While unnecessarily correcting profanity has been a problem since the first iPhone came out, it seems that autocorrect is getting worse, not better.

With clever-but-privacy-shattering services like Grammarly around, I wonder if Apple can do better here as well. Google has all manner of autocorrect and phrase completion built-in to Gmail, but none of that is available in Apple's email or messaging apps. I think we can do better here too, Apple.

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April 01, 2021 at 02:16AM
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iOS 15 name was just leaked by Apple - TechRadar

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References to the next versions of iOS and macOS have been spotted in a WebKit code – giving us the best sign yet that they’ll be called iOS 15 and macOS 12, respectively.

The mentions were spotted by 9to5Mac, and mark a departure from Apple’s usual approach of referring to future software versions as TBA. These references were added with the message “Update WKWebView getUserMedia delegate to latest proposal,” by an Apple employee who works on the WebKit technology.

While we won’t expect to see an official announcement of the new operating systems until the company’s expected WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2021 event, these findings nonetheless suggest the next major Apple updates will carry their expected numeric titles.

In 2020, Apple jumped from macOS 10.15 Catalina to macOS 11 Big Sur, offering no signs that the company might be returning its old method of cycling through point versions of yearly updates like it did with Mac OS X. 

Given that macOS 11.1 was released as a minor update, too, we had an inkling that the next major software version would carry the macOS 12 title.

What we expect to see 

Naturally, the WebKit code gives little away as to what to expect from the upcoming versions of iOS and macOS.

The only real iOS 15 leak at the time of writing is a claim that the update will only be available for the iPhone 7 and later. This will mean that the likes of the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and original iPhone SE will miss out on the new software.

In terms of what we want to see, though, the list is a little longer. Siri gets better with each new version of iOS, and while it’s pretty good now, the improvements made by Google Assistant in recent years suggest Apple can do better. We’d like to see Siri respond quicker and become less reliant on web results for accurate responses to questions.

We’d also appreciate a new Apple Maps update, specifically one which allows cycling directions and Guides (which recommends things to see and do) to become available in more places than just major cities.

As for macOS 12, we’re hoping for better FaceID, improved notifications and, perhaps most importantly, a continued commitment to updating older apps so they can run natively on Apple's new M1 chips.

• macOS 11.3 code causes panic that some Apple M1 MacBooks could lose one of their best features 

Via 9to5Mac 

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March 30, 2021 at 04:53PM
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Airline industry launching vaccine passport iOS app - AppleInsider

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Airline body IATA is launching a digital travel pass, or coronavirus vaccine passport, in an iOS app.

As countries continue to discuss creating and operating COVID vaccine passports, the International Air Transport Association has announced that is launching its version for iPhone in mid-April. Originally planned for March, the digital travel pass will later roll out to Android, and provide vaccinated travellers with faster check-ins.

According to Reuters, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, said the iOS version was expected to launch on April 15.

"But the application will only achieve its success once airlines, different countries, [and] airports adopt it," said Alawadhi. "A huge amount of airlines have requested to be on board."

Reportedly, the UK's Virgin Atlantic airline has committed to trialling the app on its London to Barbados route from April 16. Barbados authorities have agreed to accept the digital pass at its border, making it one of the first countries to not require paper documentation.

Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.

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March 31, 2021 at 07:07PM
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iOS 14.5 no longer blocks web searches for ‘Asian’ in Safari with content restrictions enabled - 9to5Mac

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Earlier this year, some users noticed unfortunate behavior in iOS 14 that blocked any web searches in Safari containing the word “Asian” when adult content restrictions were enabled. Luckily, it seems that Apple has finally addressed this issue with iOS 14.5, which is currently available to developers and public beta users.

As noted by Mashable, the latest iOS 14.5 beta release once again lets users search for “Asian” in Google or other search providers using Safari with adult content restrictions enabled. In previous versions of iOS 14, any searches with “Asian” resulted in an error if the user had enabled parental controls to block adult websites.

The problem became more noticeable when users with the content restrictions enabled tried to search for things like “Stop Asian Hate,” which became a trend online after a recent mass shooting in Atlanta. The report mentions that developer Steven Shen alerted Apple about this issue in December 2019, but nothing has been done until now.

For those unfamiliar with the option, iPhone and iPad users can enable adult content restrictions by going to the Screen Time menu in the Settings app. This is part of the content blocking options and privacy restrictions that can be used by parents to control what their children will have access to on their device.

9to5Mac was able to confirm that Apple has fixed this issue in Safari’s built-in search with iOS 14.5 beta 5, but the problem persists with iOS 14.4.2 — which was released last week for all users. It’s unclear when iOS 14.5 will be available to the public.

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March 31, 2021 at 05:31AM
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With WWDC confirmed, catch up on our iOS 15, macOS 12, and watchOS 8 concepts here - 9to5Mac

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Now that Apple has confirmed the dates for this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, rumors are sure to start swirling about this year’s software releases. We’ve been working on a series of concepts for each of Apple’s core platforms over the past few months and we wanted to share them again. So far, we’ve shared concepts for iOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS 12. We’re at work on concepts for tvOS 15 and iPadOS 15, and we’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas for them. Let us know about those in the comments below! In the meantime, check out our already published concepts.

We got some fantastic software releases last year and this one is sure to be exciting, too. Some releases will likely be focused on big changes while others get smaller refinements. iOS 14 was a major update for iPhone, and so it would only be natural for iOS 15 to be a smaller update that focuses on refinements rather than structural changes. watchOS 7 was primarily focused on performance but light on features. watchOS 8 is likely to be a major update. macOS Big Sur was one of the biggest macOS updates in years, and this year’s release will probably focus on refining what was introduced last year.

Last year, watchOS 7 introduced a few new features like sleep tracking but mostly focused on things like performance. The final release included some new watch faces, but we haven’t seen a ton of new apps for the platform in a while. watchOS 8 could focus on adding new features and apps that make the Apple Watch experience even better.

Our watchOS 8 concept introduces new apps like Hiking, Health, Batteries, Solar, Astronomy, and TV. It also includes new watch faces based on characters from hit Apple TV+ series. You can find things like a dim display mode and a new simplified Home Screen as well.

Check out part 1 of our watchOS concept here and part 2 here.

macOS Big Sur was a massive update and introduced a complete redesign of the operating system. Like El Capitan was to Yosemite’s redesign, the next release of macOS is likely to have new features but nothing too major.

When brainstorming names for the next version of macOS, we settled on “Monterey.” It’s trademarked by Apple and it’s the same county that Big Sur exists within. Our concept includes things like a new Wallet app, TestFlight for Mac, Apple Fitness+ compatibility, and replaces Automator with Shortcuts.

Check out our macOS concept here.

Arguably the most important OS Apple has in its arsenal is iOS. iOS 14 introduced huge changes like Home Screen widgets, the App Library, and a redesigned Siri. iOS 15 is likely to focus on things that make the additions from iOS 14 even better. It could also capitalize on current trends and recent acquisitions.

Our iOS 15 concept adds things like a redesigned Weather app with information sourced from Dark Sky, a separate Keychain app, new Home Screen customization options, screen sharing in FaceTime, and so much more.

Check out our iOS concept here.

iPadOS + tvOS

We’re hard at work on our next two platform concepts and we want to hear your feedback. Let us know what kinds of features and enhancements you’re hoping for or expecting in iPadOS 15 and tvOS 15 in the comments below.

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March 31, 2021 at 01:14AM
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Study finds Android shares 20x more data with Google than iOS does with Apple - AppleInsider

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A study conducted by a professor of computer science at Trinity College Dublin found that a typical Android handset collects some 20 times more data about its user than a comparable iPhone.

According to researcher Doug Leith, who also serves as Trinity College's chair of computer systems, both iOS and Android continuously collect and send so-called telemetry data back to Apple and Google, respectively, reports ArsTechnica. This information ranges from inserting a SIM card into a smartphone to interacting with hardware and apps.

Data collection routines might run when a user is not logged, has opted out of data collection in privacy settings and when the handset sits idle. Leith found iOS shares information relating to IMEI, hardware serial number, SIM serial number, phone number, device IDs including UDID and ad ID, location, telemetry, cookies, local IP address and nearby Wi-Fi Mac addresses. Android sends similar data, adding device Wi-Fi MAC address but not tapping a handset's location, local IP address and nearby Wi-Fi Mac addresses.

What stands out is the amount of information collected, Leith says. According to his research, Android sends about 1MB of data to Google on startup, while iOS sends Apple roughly 42KB. When a handset is idle, Android sends another 1MB every 12 hours, which compares to about 52KB from iOS. In the U.S., Google is estimated to harvest 1.3TB of data from its users every 12 hours, while Apple is sent 5.8GB over the same period.

Leith measured data collected on first startup following a factory reset, when a SIM was inserted or removed when a handset was idle, when the settings screen was viewed, when location was enabled or disabled and when the user logged in to the preinstalled app store, the report said.

A Google Pixel 2 running Android 10 was used to measure Android data collection. An unknown iPhone model running iOS 13.6.1 was jailbroken to monitor network connections for the same purpose.

Google claims Leith's methodology is flawed, adding that data collection is a core function of any connected device. Speaking on background, a spokesperson challenged the experiment's validity, noting it failed to capture data like UDP/QUIC traffic.

We identified flaws in the researcher's methodology for measuring data volume and disagree with the paper's claims that an Android device shares 20 times more data than an iPhone. According to our research, these findings are off by an order of magnitude, and we shared our methodology concerns with the researcher before publication.

This research largely outlines how smartphones work. Modern cars regularly send basic data about vehicle components, their safety status and service schedules to car manufacturers, and mobile phones work in very similar ways. This report details those communications, which help ensure that iOS or Android software is up to date, services are working as intended, and that the phone is secure and running efficiently.

Leith warns that data collection practices are inherently dangerous, no matter the amount of information being passed back home.

"Currently there are few, if any, realistic options for preventing this data sharing," Leith wrote.

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Lucid Announces Launch of Lucidspark iOS App | Regional News | kpvi.com - KPVI News 6

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SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucid, the leading provider of visual collaboration software, today announced its virtual whiteboard, Lucidspark, is now available as an iOS app for tablet devices.

Lucidspark is a place for distributed teams to brainstorm and collaborate together in real time. The launch of the Lucidspark tablet app will empower users with greater flexibility and accessibility across devices, helping teams to seamlessly align and more quickly move into action.

"As leaders look to proactively establish processes and systems that will take their businesses into the next normal, teams will continue to need flexible solutions that facilitate collaboration and project alignment," said Dan Lawyer, senior vice president of product management at Lucid. "The Lucidspark app empowers users to work however and wherever to keep their business moving forward."

With the Lucidspark app, users can access all the features of the browser experience, including:

• Track individual contributions with assigned Collaborator Colors
• Facilitate large and small group sessions with an infinite canvas and Breakout Boards
• Automatically synthesize generated ideas into action plans with Gather and Sort
• Share feedback through comments, mentions, and in-product chat
• Brainstorm ideas in real time or asynchronously in a shared visual workspace
• Leverage integrations with Jira, Microsoft Teams, and Slack to align teams across existing workflows

Download the Lucidspark app on the App Store.

About Lucidspark

Lucidspark is a cloud-based virtual whiteboard where teams can work together creatively in real time. A part of Lucid's visual collaboration suite, the intuitive digital canvas allows teams to effectively brainstorm, collaborate and align on new ideas and organize collective thinking into actionable next steps. Lucid products are utilized in over 180 countries by more than 30 million users. Ninety-nine percent of the Fortune 500 use Lucid products, and customers include Google, GE, NBC Universal, and Johnson & Johnson. Since the Utah-based company's founding in 2010, it has received numerous awards for its product, business and workplace culture. For more information, visit Lucidspark.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lucid-announces-launch-of-lucidspark-ios-app-301258603.html

SOURCE Lucid

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March 30, 2021 at 09:01PM
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Apple will finally fix the iOS issue that blocked searches for 'Asian' as adult content - Mashable

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Do you have adult content blocked on your iPhone or iPad? 

If so, it's likely that your iOS device is currently blocking web searches using the word "Asian." It's been an issue for more than a year — but it's about to be fixed.

Mashable has confirmed that in the latest iOS 14.5 Beta, the adult content filter no longer blocks web searches containing the word "Asian." 

The iOS 14.5 Beta was released for developers just last week. Apple will launch the public release for all users sometime in the Spring.

The issue became very apparent In the wake of the mass shooting at three Atlanta spas two weeks ago which left eight people dead, six of whom were Asian, "Stop Asian Hate" trended online. The phrase has been used as a call-to-action at protests and rallies across the U.S. as anti-Asian hate crimes in the country grew by 150 percent over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, if a user tried searching "Stop Asian Hate" on their iOS device with the adult content filter turned it, they'd find that the phrase is blocked and be shown the following prompt:

A search in Safari for iOS for the phrase "Stop Asian Hate" is blocked by Apple's adult content filter.

Image: mashable screenshot

If you're unfamiliar with the adult content issue and haven't upgraded to the latest beta yet, you can currently recreate this issue on your iOS device and see it for yourself. Turn on your device's adult content filter by tapping on "Screen Time" in the "Settings" option. Then, click "Content & Privacy Restrictions" followed by "Content Restrictions." After that there is a "Web Content" option where users can choose to “Limit Adult Websites.”

Now, try searching for "Asian food," "Asian Americans," "Asian history," or even "local Asian market" in your Safari browser. 

All these searches are blocked. Clearly none of them have anything to do with adult content.

"You cannot browse this page at 'google.com' because it is restricted," reads the prompt that appears after submitting the search in Safari for iOS.

It even prevents searches for just the word "Asian."

While a user could still access the search results page by tapping "Allow Website" on the prompt in order to whitelist the page, it is an unnecessary step  for content that is not in any way "adult."

Using an iPhone with the latest iOS 14.5 Beta installed, Mashable was able to confirm that search results for terms such as "Asian," "Asian food," "Asian actors," "Asian art," and even "Stop Asian Hate" are no longer blocked when the adult content filter is turned on.

The search results page for these terms now resolve as they should, as seen in the screenshot below:

The latest iOS 14.5 Beta fixes the "Asian" adult content filter issue, as seen in this screenshot from an iPhone with the adult content filter turned on.

Image: mashable

It's unclear exactly how long the adult content filter issue has been around, but the problem became widely known in February. A number of major tech news outlets covered the adult content filter issue after a tweet from developer Steven Shen brought it to light. 

On iOS, if you turn on “Limit Adult Website” under Screen Time->Content Restrictions, Safari blocks any website URL containing the word “asian”. Seriously, go try it, it’s unbelievable. I filed a Feeback a long time ago. Nothing changed. Please RT for visibility. @AppleSupport

— Steven Shen (@Stevenpotato) February 3, 2021

In a direct message with Mashable, Shen confirmed that he actually first warned Apple that the iOS adult content filter was blocking searches containing the word "Asian" back on Dec. 7, 2019. 

Shen told us that Apple "said nothing officially" when he first reported the issue. The developer also said, in a correspondence with Mashable last week, that an Apple employee reached out to him over Twitter, verified the problem, and "filed the issue internally."

Weird bad thing:

iOS built-in adult content filter blocks all searches with the keyword "Asian,” assuming it's porn-related. Which means a 12 y/o Chinese-American girl might Google "Asian hairstyles" and find out that her culture is blocked as "adult content."

— Charlie Stigler (@charliestigler) February 18, 2020

While Shen didn’t make the issue public when he first discovered it then, he pointed out that developer Charlie Stigler also discovered the problem and tweeted about it just a few months later, in February 2020.

Many iOS users are still coming across the issue and pointing it out on Twitter.

If you limit adult content on your Apple devices, you can't search for "Asian" on Google because the settings equate "Asian" with sexualized, apparently.

This is a massive problem that should be addressed immediately. pic.twitter.com/Mb0163g3oh

— Dr. K is tired, y'all (@onlyalishak) March 22, 2021

Google’s Liaison of Public Search Danny Sullivan even interjected in a recent discussion of the issue in order to make clear that Apple, and not the search engine company, is responsible for how the iOS adult content filter works.

Following the Atlanta shooting, the history of the hypersexualization of Asian women was thrust into the spotlight. Apple devices filtering the ultra-generic term "Asian as "adult content" would seem to be based on and perpetuate this problematic trope. 

It appeared especially urgent that Apple address this issue now, and the company now has. 

If you're an Apple device user who doesn't want to wait until the public release, you can follow this guide to upgrade to the latest iOS 14.5 Beta right now.

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March 31, 2021 at 12:36AM
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Install These iOS, iPadOS, and WatchOS Security Updates Immediately - Lifehacker

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Apple released patches for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch over the weekend that all users should install immediately. The patches fixes a dangerous zero-day vulnerability that hackers are actively exploiting.

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Clement Lecigne and Billy Leonard of the Google Threat Analysis Group discovered a bug in the WebKit browser engine that Safari uses on all of Apple’s products.

Apple’s patch notes are woefully thin on details on the bug itself, so we don’t know much about it other than “processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross-site scripting,” and that it’s a risk to all iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users even if you don’t use Safari as your mobile web browsing app.

Worse, Apple confirms hackers are actively using the bug to attack users. There’s no word on how widespread the attacks are or how they’re specifically carried out, but it’s serious enough that the company pushed emergency patches for the following devices:

iOS 14.4.2

• iPhone 6s and later
• iPod touch (7th generation)

iPadOS 14.4.2

• iPad Pro
• iPad Air 2 and later
• iPad 5th gen and later
• iPad mini 4 and later

iOS 12.5.2

• iPhone 5s
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPad Air
• iPad mini 2
• iPad mini 3
• iPod touch (6th generation)

watchOS 7.3.3

• Apple Watch Series 3 and later

Since we don’t know much about the “maliciously created web content” that hackers are using to exploit the WebKit vulnerability, the only way to keep your devices and data safe is to install the patches on all applicable Apple products you own.

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The updates should normally download automatically, but you can check for updates on iPhone or iPad under Settings > General > Software Update.

To update your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to My Watch > General > Software Update, or open the Settings app on your Apple Watch and go to General > Software Update.

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The Link Lonk


March 30, 2021 at 10:30PM
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Install These iOS, iPadOS, and WatchOS Security Updates Immediately - Lifehacker

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iOS

Advertisers may need 4-6 months to recover from iOS 14 changes - iMore

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Source: Joseph Keller / iMore

A new report into upcoming iOS 14 changes says advertisers may need up to six months to recover lost revenue.

From Digiday:

The real impact on media spending from Apple's imminent tracking crackdown isn't yet clear, but the actual amount is likely to be severe — at least in the short-term.

Digiday says that based on assumptions that marketers will still need to acquire customers to grow, and that the pandemic has strengthened the perception of gaming as a mainstream advertising brand, we can expect the following:

Given these two parallel views, marketers believe spending will recover from the knock of Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) plan, but the trajectory will be U-shaped, not V-shaped — a dip to start, followed by a slow but steady recovery over four to six months.

One SVP of growth at a mobile game publisher, Tilting Point's Jane-Sebastien Laverge told the publication "Once the ATT update arrives, there will be a drop in media efficiency for performance marketers who have fewer Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) they're able to use. Then it's going to slowly grow again as those marketers learn to walk in this new environment."

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The report says the impact of changes, which mean every app on your iPhone will have to ask your permission to track you across services, will be "sharp":

ad rates for impressions without the mobile identifier will slide anywhere between 35% (the optimist's view) and 50% (the pragmatist's view) once it becomes harder to track the people on Apple mobile devices.

That means they won't be valued as much, getting cheaper as a result. The report notes how most marketers are planning to shift ad spending away from iOS as the changes take hold, before reinvesting once "they've figured out how to refine those impressions with contextual data and other non-identifier related signals." The report overall, however, does point to recovery within the industry:

How quickly that recovery occurs depends on several factors. The main one is the readiness of the ad tech marketers use to buy in-app advertising. Companies that made the early adjustments are more likely to convince marketers they can still reach the right people without IDFA. Indeed, demand for Limit Ad Tracking traffic — those users who have opted out of targeted advertising — has been on the rise for some time as marketers are using it to see how mobile ads perform on the back of non-personalized traffic.

You can read the full report here.

The Link Lonk


March 30, 2021 at 07:46PM
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Advertisers may need 4-6 months to recover from iOS 14 changes - iMore

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iOS