As a rule, updates considered the most important of iOS, the operating system that runs on iPhones, arrive at the launch of new smartphones, in the fall.
In between, however, there are a series of 'minor updates' that can introduce important innovations.
And it is the case of iOS 14.5, in the pipeline by the end of February and early March.
Thanks to the release of the beta version for developers, we already know many of the improvements made by Apple through its software, also aimed in part at better managing everyday life at the time of the pandemic.
Here then is the possibility of
unlocking the phone if you wear the mask
, an operation that today requires the insertion of a numeric code chosen during the setting phase.
With the iOS 14.5 version, anyone who owns an Apple Watch paired with the iPhone in use, will be able to unlock the terminal without any difficulty, simply by 'swype' on the lock screen, from the bottom to the other.
The authentication procedure is cut because the system recognizes the legitimate user of the phone from the Apple Watch worn and connected, via Bluetooth, to the smartphone.
In any case, you can decide to enable or not the option directly from the mobile phone settings, under Face ID and Code.
App privacy monitoring
.
Part of the update is the App Tracking Transparency feature, which requires developers to display an alert requesting and receiving a user's permission in order to access their random advertising identifier, which is used to track activity on apps and websites.
This is the option that has attracted the ire of Facebook because, according to the social network, in case of denial by people, there will be less precise advertising targeting for the apps chosen for anti-tracking, among which there could be the Facebook itself.
This will result in a general, non-personalized ad display, so that even small businesses won't always be able to reach a specific and suitable audience for their messages.
New Emoji characters.
As has already emerged, iOS 14.5 introduces several new emoji characters including heart on fire, waxed, breathing face, spiral eyes, face in the clouds, along with several gender options.
There are also couple emojis that have new skin tone mixes.
Apple then removed the blood from the syringe emoji to give it a more neutral look that also works when it comes to vaccinations.
The headphone emoji was eventually updated to resemble the AirPods Max rather than a generic set, while the rock climbing icon now includes a helmet.