Apple Releases macOS 12.2.1 Monterey, iOS 15.3.1, iPadOS 15.3.1, and watchOS 8.4.2
Apple has released focused bug and security updates for macOS Monterey, iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and watchOS 8:
- macOS 12.2.1 Monterey: Apple says the update fixes battery drain on Intel-based Mac laptops when connected to Bluetooth peripherals. It also addresses a WebKit security vulnerability that could let an attacker execute code on your Mac with a malicious Web page—Apple says the vulnerability may have been actively exploited. Install it using System Preferences > Software Update.
- iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1: These updates fix Braille displays and the previously mentioned vulnerability. Install them in Settings > General > Software Update.
- watchOS 8.4.2: Apple’s release notes specify “security updates and bug fixes” but don’t offer any details. Install the update from your iPhone’s Watch app in General > Software Update.
Given the serious nature of the security vulnerability, we recommend updating soon if you’re already staying abreast of the current versions of Apple’s operating systems.
Also Safari / Webkit for Catalina
And Big Sur
When I upgraded to 12.1, Image Capture uploaded a huge batch of images from my iPhone at lightning speed, with the app seeming to vibrate wildly on the iMac’s screen. But HEIC to JPG Converter stopped working altogether.
Update: when I updated to 12.2.1 HEIC to JPG converter started working again.
iOS 15.3.1 fixes what I’d consider a bug, but perhaps was a misstep when iOS 15 was released. The “ready:talk” beep in Siri, which long-timers will recall worked universally across Siri when it was first released, but then was confined to CarPlay, disappeared. It was disconcerting to use it while driving and not know when to start speaking.
I updated iPhone overnight and this morning noticed that a modified version of the beep behavior is restored. It seemed like the action timing sequence with CarPlay/Siri has been finally improved: the prompt beep sounds as you’d expect, the “end of talking” beep is now gone, and the response from Siri comes much more quickly. Overall it finally felt like a fluid exchange versus talking to a computer that had to send a query to Virginia and wait for a response before relaying that response.
The problem I reported with alarms on WatchOS (toggling alarms on and off in the list of previously defined alarms) appears to be partially resolved. I noticed much improved behavior with toggling an alarm ON. But, turning that alarm back OFF in the list still has the problem. 1 out of 2 ain’t bad.