Updates to Apple iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS, watchOS, and HomePod Released

Apple is updating its iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and HomePodOS operating systems as well as the Apple Studio Display (test) with updates to new versions or new firmware, but some issues remain. As for quantity, Apple has been working hard and updating all supported platforms.

Gentle product maintenance for all platforms

In addition to iOS 15.5, which is available with the iPhone 6S and the 1st-generation iPhone SE, iPadOS 15.5, and the desktop operating system macOS Monterey 12.4, Apple is also updating the operating software of the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod. as the firmware of the Apple Studio Displays, which even with the latest firmware 15.5 still has problems with the webcam quality. As usual, Apple is rolling out the following new OS and firmware versions in waves:

• iOS15.5
• iPadOS 15.5
• Studio Display Firmware 15.5
• macOS Monterey 12.4
• HomePodOS 15.5
• watchOS 4.6
• tvOS 15.5

The preview of iOS 15.5 and the accompanying iPadOS 15.5 shows that almost all updates have undergone minor optimizations under the hood and that the Apple Cash wallet app, which is not available in Germany, and the podcast app have been slightly revised. iOS 15.5 release notes

• Send & Receive button in the Apple Wallet app
• Apple wallet/account card support in the “Wallet” app
• New setting to restrict downloads in the podcast app
• The stability of automation when a person leaves the house is increased
• Improving the overall stability and security of the device

iOS 15.5 has also been released for the last iPod ever, the 7th generation iPod Touch. Apple only sells the remaining stock of the portable multimedia player and has stopped production.

New firmware doesn’t make the webcam (much) better

The new firmware 15.5 for the Apple Studio Display can only slightly improve the image quality of the integrated webcam, which should actually give good results with a 12 MP sensor, the AI-assisted tracking mode (“Center Stage”), and the powerful A13 Bionic. At the beginning of this month, developer James Thomson was able to demonstrate, based on an image comparison of the beta version of firmware 15.5, that the webcam of the monitor, costs a whopping 1,749 euros, cannot match a fairly standard webcam from an iMacPro.

iOS and iPadOS 16 are on the way

iOS 15.5 and its operating systems may be the latest releases for the 15x development arm. Just in time for the WWDC 2022 internal developer conference, which will take place primarily online from June 6-10, Apple is releasing the first developer previews of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 and their derivatives.

macOS 12.4 and macOS 11.6.6

macOS Monterey 12.4 and macOS Big Sur 11.6.6 are bug fix releases that bring minor bug fixes and security updates to the desktop operating systems. In addition, macOS Monterey 12.4 is the minimum requirement to use the new firmware update 15.5 for the Apple Studio Display. Users who want to use the Universal Control feature between Mac and iPad or macOS and iPadOS should update both systems to the latest software.