The company said in a press release that it will roll out its highly anticipated iOS 14.5 software, but has not specified which day. It offers the ability to unlock your device without taking off a mask when using an Apple Watch, a major change in data privacy, and new emoji, including a less graphic syringe during the global rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. It also includes support for its new AirTag Bluetooth trackers.
As expected, Apple (AAPL) introduces a new requirement for users to give explicit permission to apps to track them around the web, a move that has traversed Facebook, which relies on data collection to target ads.
The company said the requirement could hurt its ad revenue, but has raised concerns around potential harm to small businesses. In December, Facebook hit ads in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, saying the demand could be “ devastating ” for millions of small businesses advertising their platform. It also hosted a press event to get small businesses against the change and released a new hashtag to discuss it.
In addition, iPhone users will soon be able to unlock their smartphones without having to remove their face mask, but first they need an Apple Watch. Face ID typically recognizes when someone is wearing a mask and activates the passcode entry screen.
Now an iPhone can communicate with a synced Apple Watch when the phone is lifted to use Face ID. The devices must be close to each other, and when authentication is complete, the iPhone will automatically unlock and the Apple Watch will vibrate. Apple quietly tested this feature in February.
And it wouldn’t be a significant software update without the addition of more emoji. Among the new additions: a heart on fire, a face with twirling eyes, the ability for both women and men to have a beard, and a syringe without drops of blood.
IOS 14.5 also allows users to report traffic accidents directly in Apple Maps, a crowdsourcing tool similar to Google’s popular Waze app. Users can also choose from additional voice options for Siri, which are no longer a female voice by default.
The company also announced a new iPad Pro, AirTag, a refreshed Apple TV, a purple iPhone, and more on Tuesday.