This week, Apple launched iOS 17.4, making headlines for main modifications for EU clients, but additionally for modifications like Podcasts transcripts and loads of new emojis. However within the give attention to Apple’s hottest product, different updates slipped previous the radar—particularly, to macOS, visionOS, watchOS, HomePod, and tvOS. The kicker? All these quiet updates include patches for 2 harmful safety vulnerabilities.
What’s new with macOS 14.4
macOS Sonoma 14.4 is a remarkably related replace to iOS 17.4, minus among the huge EU options 17.4 rolled out. For these of us exterior of Europe, these options are going to appear acquainted. Firstly, macOS’ newest replace rolls out new emoji to attempt, such because the mushroom, phoenix, and shaking heads. In case you’re seeing query marks in iMessage in your Mac, it is seemingly as a result of you have not up to date your software program.
The subsequent huge change is one other 17.4 function: Podcasts transcripts. That is an superior change for anybody that makes use of the app. Podcasts will routinely add transcripts for brand new episodes as they roll out, and can retroactively add transcripts to previous episodes over time. To entry them, right-click on an episode and select View Transcript; or, select Go to Episode, then scroll down and click on Transcript. Not like iOS 17.4, macOS’ Podcasts app will not spotlight the phrases being spoken in real-time, nor are you able to click on on a phrase to leap to that time within the episode (though Apple’s launch notes say you possibly can), which is a bit disappointing; however you possibly can nonetheless browse and seek for particular phrases within the transcript.
Credit score: Jake Peterson
As well as, now you can select to solely present icons within the Safari Favorites Bar, reasonably than the earlier two choices to indicate textual content and icons or solely textual content. You will additionally discover textual content updates in Messages for Enterprise while you’ve opted into them, so you possibly can obtain updates like order statuses, flight updates, and fraud notifications.
Lastly macOS 14.4 comes with a laundry listing of safety patches, together with for the two zero-day vulnerabilities patched with iOS 17.4. Apple launched related safety patches for older variations of macOS, too, like macOS Ventura and macOS Monterey, so even if you happen to aren’t working the newest software program in your Mac, you need to set up these safety patches ASAP.
visionOS 1.1 is Imaginative and prescient Professional’s first main replace
When you’ve got a Imaginative and prescient Professional, your headset acquired an enormous replace this week. For starters, this replace provides help for iMessage Contact Key Verification, the safety function out there on different Apple units that ensures you are actually messaging the contact you suppose you might be. Plus, Apple Immersive Video, Apple’s new video format that locations you in the midst of what you are watching, now helps anchored closed captioning.
Personas, Imaginative and prescient Professional’s digital illustration of you used for video calls, additionally obtained an improve. Apple says it improves hair, make-up, neck, and mouth illustration, and allows you to create a Persona hands-free. The digital keyboard, which was a little bit of a buggy mess at launch, is tightened up on this replace, but it surely’s seemingly nonetheless not a viable typing choice for lengthy writing classes.
Mac Digital Show additionally obtained some bug fixes to make connectivity and discovery extra dependable, and Common Management ought to work higher than earlier than. You’re additionally now capable of arrange a Imaginative and prescient Professional with “captive wifi,” that means the kind of wifi you discover in public locations like inns, airports, and outlets.
Imaginative and prescient Professional additionally obtained a bunch of latest safety patches, together with for these two zero-days, so be sure to replace your headset as quickly as attainable.
What’s new with watchOS 10.4
Your Apple Watch has an replace, too. That mentioned, it is a fairly minor one. While you replace your Apple Watch Collection 4 or newer, you will discover that the Faucet to Present Full Notification setting now helps you to double faucet to increase a notification. As well as, if you happen to use Apple Pay with Verify with AssistiveTouch, you now must enter your passcode, and you will not have the ability to double-click the facet button to pay. Apple says this can be a safety measure.
It additionally ships with two bug fixes: The primary squashes a difficulty that might trigger false touches on the show. In case you seen bizarre actions you did not take taking place in your watch face, this might be why. Second, watchOS 10.4 fixes a difficulty that might cease contacts from syncing together with your Apple Watch.
Lastly, watchOS 10.4 additionally comes with a lengthy listing of safety patches, together with for those self same two zero-day vulnerabilities. Ensure you replace ASAP to guard your watch and your information.
One factor new with HomePod 17.4
When you’ve got a HomePod, you will have an replace for it. HomePod 17.4 allows Siri to study your media preferences when requesting music and different audio playback. That method, you needn’t request “Hey Siri, play Taylor Swift on Spotify” each time: Going ahead, you need to have the ability to say “Hey Siri, play Taylor Swift,” and the assistant ought to pull up Spotify by default.
That is the one replace that does not include safety patches.
tvOS 17.4 is a safety replace
There’s nothing new on the floor with tvOS’ newest replace, but it surely does embody the safety patches we have mentioned. I would stress the significance of updating, however in all probability, you will have Computerized Updates enabled, so your Apple TV will set up by itself. If not, nonetheless, head to Settings > System > Software program Updates and hit Replace Software program.
