Apple’s engineers are clearing the decks before decking the halls, releasing iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 with App Privacy Report and Digital Legacy, macOS 12.1 Monterey with FaceTime screen sharing and SharePlay, watchOS 8.3, tvOS 15.2, and HomePod Software 15.2. All the new operating system updates include support for the new $4.99 Apple Music Voice Plan aimed at HomePods. Separately, Apple updated all supported AirPods models to firmware version 4C165. Josh Centers provides a pair of quick hits this week: understanding Time Sensitive notifications and browsing the Web from an Apple Watch with µBrowser. Adam Engst wraps up the issue with the latest installment of LittleBITS, in which he shares an explanation for why people pay to keep things free and how to check non-Google email accounts with the Gmail app. Notable Mac app releases this week include macOS Big Sur 11.6.2 and Security Update 2021-008 Catalina, 1Password 7.9.2, Firefox 95, SpamSieve 2.9.47, Keyboard Maestro 10.0.2, Audio Hijack 3.8.9 and Piezo 1.7.7, Airfoil 5.10.6, and SoundSource 5.8.3.
Apple has updated the firmware in all currently supported AirPods models but hasn’t said what it’s supposed to change.
TidBITS Talk readers shared an insightful essay that nicely describes the motivation of many TidBITS members in supporting us and a tip that the Gmail app now supports non-Gmail accounts.
Apple’s latest operating systems offer powerful features to tame notifications, but how can you make sure you always get important alerts at the right time? The answer is Time Sensitive notifications.
Ever wonder what it would be like to surf the Web on your Apple Watch? For just 99 cents, you can find out! Eat your heart out, Dick Tracy.
Apple has released iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2, with delayed features like App Privacy Report and Digital Legacy. Apple also dropped watchOS 8.3, tvOS 15.2, and HomePod Software 15.2.
Watchlist
Patches security vulnerabilities in Big Sur and Catalina. (Free, various sizes, macOS 11 and 10.15)
Brings improvements to file attachments for 1Password accounts. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 78.9 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Brings several macOS-specific updates to the Web browser. (Free, 119 MB, macOS 10.12+)
Adds support for the macOS 12.1 Monterey update. ($30 new, free update, 19.7 MB, macOS 10.9+)
Maintenance update focused on bug fixes. ($36 new, free update, 34.4 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Adds full compatibility with macOS 12 Monterey and updates Audio Capture Engine to version 11.7.7. ($49/$19 new, free updates, various sizes, macOS 10.14.4+)
Wireless audio broadcasting app gains full compatibility with macOS 12 Monterey and fixes bugs. ($29 new, free update, 33 MB, macOS 10.14+)
Adds full compatibility with macOS 12 Monterey and brings bug fixes and improvements to the audio control utility. ($39 new, free update, 25.3 MB, macOS 10.14+)
