Apple Seeds iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 Release Candidate to Developers and Public Beta Testers

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the RC version of upcoming iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the new betas coming a week after Apple released the second betas.

iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or over the air after the proper profile has been installed on an iPhone or iPad.

Paired with the HomePod 14.4 beta that is only available to a limited number of testers, iOS 14.4 adds new HomePod mini functionality that takes advantage of the mini's U1 chip.

There are now visual, audio, and haptic effects when songs are transferred from a HomePod mini to a U1-enabled iPhone 11 or iPhone 12. When an iPhone is near the HomePod mini it begins a soft haptic touch rhythm that gets faster and faster as the ‌iPhone‌ gets closer until the interface to transfer a song between the ‌HomePod mini‌ and the ‌iPhone‌ opens.

This functionality will make handoff quicker and more reliable on a ‌HomePod mini‌ and an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, all of which are equipped with U1 chips that let the devices better understand where they are in relation to one another.

In the Workout section of the Apple Watch app on iPhone there's a new "Time to Walk" feature that includes a toggle to "Add Newest Workouts to Watch." This suggests that Apple could be planning to add guided walking workouts in the watchOS 7.3 beta. "Time to Walk Workouts are downloaded when Apple Watch is connected to power and near your iPhone. Completed workouts are deleted automatically," reads the setting. This is not functional in the first beta of watchOS 7.3 and iOS 14.4, but could be activated later.

iOS 14.4 includes a setting to specify a device type for third-party Bluetooth-connected audio devices so that Headphone Audio Level measurements can be taken correctly. Apple tracks headphone audio levels to send alerts if music is playing at a level that has the potential to damage hearing health over time.

iOS 14.4 includes code that suggests Apple will add a warning on iPhones that have had their cameras repaired or replaced with aftermarket components. The warning, which says "Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple camera," will let users know that the camera is not a legitimate Apple camera. Apple's full release notes for the update are below:

iOS 14.4 includes the following improvements for your iPhone:
- Smaller QR codes can be recognized by Camera
- Option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings for correct identification of headphones for audio notifications
- Notifications for when the camera on your iPhone is unable to be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

This release also fixes the following issues:
- Image artifacts could appear in HDR photos taken with iPhone 12 Pro
- Fitness widget may not display updated Activity data
- Typing may be delayed and word suggestions may not appear in the keyboard
- The keyboard may not come up in the correct language in Messages
- Audio stories from the News app in CarPlay may not resume after being paused for spoken directions or Siri
- Enabling Switch Control in Accessibility may prevent phone calls from being answered from the Lock Screen

There's no word yet on when iOS 14.4 will be released, but as release notes are available, the public version could be coming soon.



Article Link: Apple Seeds iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 Release Candidate to Developers and Public Beta Testers

 

[itsmeaustend]

No fix for missing message notifications? They finally acknowledged it in the Feedback app and marked it as “for a future update”... guess this isn’t it...

 

[HeavenDynamic]

This looks like a very minor update for a 14.X
Wouldn't be surprised if we see a product announcement in the coming days

 

[Jxdawg]

Finally, keyboard lag is fixed!

 

[xpxp2002]

This looks like a very minor update for a 14.X
Wouldn't be surprised if we see a product announcement in the coming days

AirTags? I can't think of any other expected announcement that would require a new iOS version.

 

[Realityck]

Accessing Public Beta of iPadOS 14.4 presently. Yes I wonder about any related product announcements coming?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗]

Anyone knows when it’s going to be released to public? Next week???

 

[BlendedFrog]

Still no 5g in dual sim

 

[cknibbs]

I’d love to see an option for hiding rowing/cycling/treadmill workouts on Fitness+. I don’t have the equipment and never will! Maybe there could be an profile option to select what equipment you have...

 

[MacBird]

Is the stutter/delay when closing apps gone?

 

[C DM]

Anyone knows when it’s going to be released to public? Next week???

That would more than likely be the expected and most common guess.

 

[xpxp2002]

I just got offered it on public beta profile.

 

[MagicMiguel]

What about the stutter when you swipe up to go home and it ends up in the multitasking view?

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Does this contain the update that FB hates or is that another update?

 

[I7guy]

All I can say is: "woo-hoo".

Is the stutter/delay when closing apps gone?

Don't know for certain, but based on the track record...probably not.

 

[0ID0]

Some fix for Beats Flex when switching from one iDevice to another?

 

[SW3029]

Does this finally include the new privacy feature that lets you stop apps from doing cross-app tracking?

 

[otternonsense]

Phew. Let's hope this finally fixes the battery issues on my 11 Pro

 

[xmagicx]

Still no 5g in dual sim

Gosh... i had a hope. They promised us by end of last year...

 

[nutmac]

Still no 5g in dual sim

I am starting to wonder. Is it even possible? From my recollection, "5G coming soon on dual SIM" was claimed by Verizon Wireless, never directly from Apple.

 

[xpxp2002]

I am starting to wonder. Is it even possible? From my recollection, "5G coming soon on dual SIM" was claimed by Verizon Wireless, never directly from Apple.

Before they even get to that, I'd really like to see them fix the numerous "no service" issues that are still plaguing a lot of people. It really seems like the modem issues are either a low priority for them or Qualcomm is dragging their feet.

Either way, until they can fix the cellular baseband crashing when connected to 5G DSS networks and other LTE networks, 5G DSDS should be priority number 2.

 

[Dwalls90]

No fix for missing message notifications? They finally acknowledged it in the Feedback app and marked it as “for a future update”... guess this isn’t it...

This was fixed for me in a prior iOS update. I think 14.3 RC2.

 

[goonie4life9]

Before they even get to that, I'd really like to see them fix the numerous "no service" issues that are still plaguing a lot of people. It really seems like the modem issues are either a low priority for them or Qualcomm is dragging their feet.

Either way, until they can fix the cellular baseband crashing when connected to 5G DSS networks and other LTE networks, 5G DSDS should be priority number 2.

Not to worry, my friend, for Apple will assure you that there are no issues with cellular service on iPhones. If there were, Apple would know about it before you. All bugs are identified by Apple before customers notice them so if it hasn't been addressed, it means the issue doesn't exist.

 

[LFC2020]

Green tint issue, grey colours looking yellow, stuttering when opening/closing apps been foxed?

Or lawsuit incoming? ?

 

[jdclifford]

Anyone knows when it’s going to be released to public? Next week???

I’m guessing next Tuesday