Apple's Latest Software Bonanza: iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2, macOS 14.2 Unveiled

Apple has officially launched watchOS 10.2, macOS Sonoma 14.2, tvOS 17.2, and HomePod 17.2 software, all of which include several new features. The upgrades have been released from the developer phase, and you may now download and install them on your supported devices.

Apple Released watchOS 10.2, macOS 14.2, tvOS 17.2, and other updates

Given the quantity of features included, watchOS 10.2 is a substantial release, per WCCFTech. To install, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to General > Software Update, and download and install the latest build if you intend to upgrade to the latest version.

Check that your Apple Watch has more than 50% battery life and is hooked into a power source. Your Apple Watch should be within range of your iPhone and connected to Wi-Fi as well.

watchOS 10.2 provides the following new features, enhancements, and bug fixes:

• Siri allows you to access and log Health app data (available on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2).
• View Now Playing automatically when in close proximity to a HomePod (2nd generation) or HomePod mini playing media from Music or Podcasts (available on Apple Watch Series 6 and later and Apple Watch Ultra).
• In Settings, enable the option to swipe to change watch faces.
• Enable the ability to confirm exercise completion in Settings.
• In most Fitness+ exercises, prioritize the level of either the music or the coaches' speech.
• Resolves an issue that might cause watch faces added in the iPhone Watch app to not show on Apple Watch.

Along with watchOS 10.2, Apple has released macOS Sonoma 14.2 to the general public for all compatible Macs. The most recent update is available for free download under the Software Update section of System Settings.

In addition, macOS 13.6.3 and macOS 12.7.2 have been issued with additional security patches. The changelog for macOS 14.2 is shown below:

This version includes improved Autofill for PDFs as well as changes to Messages and Weather. Other enhancements, bug fixes, and security upgrades for your Mac are also included in this edition.

PDFs

• Enhanced AutoFill recognizes fields in PDFs and other forms, allowing you to fill them with information from your contact list, such as names and addresses.

Messages

• The catch-up arrow allows you to quickly get to your first unread message in a conversation by clicking the arrow in the top-right corner.
• The context menu option apply sticker allows you to apply a sticker directly to a bubble.
• Contact Key Verification uses automated notifications and Contact Verification Codes to ensure that persons facing extreme digital hazards are only messaging with the people they wish to message with.

Weather

• Precipitation amounts help you stay on top of rain and snow conditions for a given day over the next 10 days
• New widgets let you choose from next-hour precipitation, daily forecast, sunrise and sunset times, and current conditions such as Air Quality, Feels Like, and wind speed
• Wind map snapshot helps you quickly assess wind patterns and access the animated wind map overlay to prepare for forecasted wind conditions for the next 24 hours

Clock

• Multiple timers let you run several timers simultaneously and create a name for each timer
• Timer presets help you quickly start a timer with a range of preset options
• Recents makes it easy to restart your recently used timers

The following new features are also included in this update:

• Apple Music's Favorite music Playlist allows you to easily return to music you've marked as favorites.
• In Apple Music, you may disable the use of listening history so that music you listen to does not display in Recently Played or impact your recommendations.
• Shazam Music Recognition lets you easily identify music playing online or nearby, even while wearing AirPods.
• Seven additional Sámi languages are now supported with new keyboard layouts.
• Not all functions are accessible in all locations or on all Apple devices.

Apple Finally Released iOS 17.2 With New Journal App and Fix For Major iPhone Problems

Apple has decided to issue iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates for all supported iPhone and iPad devices today, according to a separate WCCFTech report. The update includes a slew of new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. If you were looking forward to the update, we recommend downloading the most recent build on your iPhone or iPad.

Apple sent the release candidate copies of iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 to developers last week for testing. We expected the update to be released tomorrow, but the firm chose to release it early. If you wish to apply the update right now, go to Settings > General > Software Update and download iOS 17.2 or iPadOS 17.2 to your device. Install it on your iPhone or iPad by following the on-screen directions.

Many new features are included in the newest iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates for the iPhone and iPad. The new Journal app, support for capturing spatial video on the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple Music updates, a new Translate option for the Action Button, and much more are among the notable additions.

Photo: Saad Chaudhry/Unsplash