Update your Apple tech! New OS released for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch
A good thing about owning Apple products is how easy they are to keep up-to-date. Apple rarely lets security issues slide, and when they add new features, they tend to be decent for the most part.
Of course, not every new feature added by Apple recently has been a smashing success. The latest iOS update, which included contact-tracing capabilities, hasn’t had a chance to live up to the hype. The reception to apps made for the service has been mixed as well. Tap or click here to find out why.
But just when you thought the last update was fresh on your phone, Apple announced it’s releasing iOS version 13.6 along with updates for its entire family of devices. Here’s a quick rundown on what you can expect from the update, as well as all the new goodies you can find on the latest improvements for iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Watch.
A boatload of new updates from Apple are here
Apple announced the arrival of several new software updates that are bringing new features and bug fixes to its entire range of products.
On July 15, Apple released iOS 13.6, iPadOS 13.6, macOS 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, and watchOS 6.2.8 for users around the world to download. These updates are available now and can be installed immediately on any compatible device.
These updates are mostly designed to introduce a new audio edition of Apple News for Apple News+ subscribers. This service, which was teased in earlier announcements, features curated news stories that are professionally read and narrated.
On the iPhone side of things, iOS 13.6 adds a new “Symptoms” menu to the Health app where you can track symptoms of illnesses you may acquire. This can be useful in logging data for COVID-19 testing and can help patients provide doctors with more accurate information as their illness progresses.
Apple TV and Macs, on the other hand, didn’t receive any major new features. Instead, these updates contain behind-the-scenes bug fixes that improve stability. Similar improvements are also available on iOS for iPhones, iPadOS and watchOS.
Speaking of watchOS, both it and iOS are getting access to the new CarKey system, which allows owners of select BMW models to use their phone or Apple Watch as a digital car key. Tap or click here to find out more about how this system works.
How can I install these new updates to my devices?
All Apple devices give users the ability to update right from the Settings menu. Other than the Apple Watch’s method, no additional connectivity is required other than basic Wi-Fi.
Google's new privacy shortcut you'll want to use
Development may have stalled for platforms across the web due to COVID-19, but Google continues to churn out new products and features in spite of the pandemic.
In the past few months, the tech giant has added multiple new features to existing apps like Google Meet and has even given you the ability to delete your search and YouTube history automatically. Tap or click here to see how to set it up.
Popular security software is crashing Windows - here's the fix
Most operating system and application updates come with new features that make the products better, or patches to fix what’s broken. Take Microsoft, which regularly updates Windows 10 with new features and updates to patch flaws and remove bugs.
Tech how-to: Roll back to a previous version of Windows 10
Windows offers updates to improve security and sometimes to introduce new features or app improvements. Unfortunately, some of the more recent Windows 10 updates have been less than stellar.
Despite the latest issues, the NSA has urged users to ensure they keep up with Windows updates. Tap or click here to see what the NSA had to say. But what if the latest update breaks your machine? Suddenly programs aren’t working and things are glitching out. Now what?
5 things you didn't know Google Assistant could do - and 5 new features we're excited for
Google Assistant isn’t just an app. It’s a voice-controlled tool you can have on your phone, smart speakers, TV, car, display screens, laptop, tablet and wearable tech. So yeah, it’s more than a basic application.
Should you upgrade your macOS to Mojave now?
Is it safe to upgrade your macOS to Mojave? We’ll answer that and tell you what’s new in Apple’s latest operating system upgrade. Be sure to read to the end for important reminders of what to do before you make any big changes to your computers.
iPhones can easily be turned into a bodycam to record police
By now you have probably had enough time to get the hang of iOS 12. You have played around with some of its new features, enjoyed its faster speeds and, despite its flaws, probably think it’s a pretty good update.
But even if you have checked out the new features you could not afford to miss or have gotten the hang of some of the things you could never do prior to iOS 12, odds are good you haven’t seen all of what the new operating system allows.
8 reasons you should buy Apple's most basic iPad instead of an iPad Pro
The iPad is one of the most iconic Apple gadgets on the market and everyone was excited about the latest changes. With competition from cheaper gadgets from Amazon and other Android-based tablets, the new features at the same price point was definitely the shot in the arm that Apple needed to make the basic iPad relevant again.