As previously announced, it was a day of updates for Apple. In addition to having released iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4, which have gained a large part of the attention, the bitten apple has also started the roll-out of the updates for Apple Watch, for the Mac and MacBook series computers and also for the AppleTV. Extraordinary, the third-generation AppleTV, has also received an update, often left aside in favor of the latest models.
watchOS 6.2, the news
Apple watchOS 6.2 finally brings support for in-app purchases to Apple Watch smartwatch apps so that you can make in-app purchases directly from your device. The new version of the operating system also introduces the ECG app in three new countries: Chile, New Zealand, and Turkey, together with notifications in case of irregular heart rhythm.
The ECG application allows users to perform an electrocardiogram. Still, the analysis of the heart rate reading takes place continuously so that notifications can also reach apps that are not in use. Finally, Apple claims that watchOS 6.2 includes a bug fix that could affect music playback when switching from Wi-Fi connectivity to Bluetooth.
Here is the official changelog:
watchOS 6.2 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes:
- Introduces in-app purchases for Apple Watch apps.
- Fixes an issue where music playback could pause when switching from Wi-Fi.
- Bluetooth connectivity.
- ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later now available in Chile, New Zealand, and Turkey.
- Irregular heart rhythm notifications now available in Chile, New Zealand, and Turkey.
macOS Catalina 10.15.4
This update for Apple desktops and notebooks includes numerous improvements and bug fixes, but also new features such as sharing the iCloud Drive folder from the Finder, song lyrics synchronized with Apple Music, and much more.
The music gains the same function as the lyrics synchronized with the music that we have already seen for some time on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The new feature allows you to follow a song in real-time, whereas before, they were only available in a simple text version without synchronization. Today’s update also allows users to share folders on iCloud Drive, a feature available in previous beta versions of macOS Catalina and iOS 13, but later removed. Users can update to the latest version through System Preferences on any compatible Mac.
Here is the official changelog:
macOS Catalina 10.15.4 introduces iCloud Drive folder sharing, Screen Time communications limits, Apple Music time-synced lyrics view, and more. The update also improves the stability, reliability, and security of your Mac.
Finder
- iCloud Drive folder sharing from Finder.
- Controls to limit access only to people you explicitly invite or grant access to anyone with the folder link.
- Permissions to choose who can make changes and upload files and who can only view and download files.
Screen Time
- Communication limits for controlling who your children can communicate with and be contacted throughout the day and during downtime.
- Playback control of music videos for your children.
Music
- Time-synced lyrics view for Apple Music, including the ability to jump to your favorite part of a song by clicking a line in lyrics view.
Safari
- Option to import Chrome passwords into your iCloud Keychain for easy AutoFill of your passwords in Safari and across all your devices.
- Controls for duplicating a tab and for closing all tabs to the right of the current tab.
- HDR playback support on compatible computers for Netflix content.
App Store with Apple Arcade
- Universal Purchase support enables the use of a singular purchase of a participating app across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
- Recently played Arcade games appear in the Arcade tab so you can continue playing on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
Pro Display XDR
- Customized reference modes that you can tailor to specific workflow needs by selecting from several color gamut, white point, luminance, and transfer function options.
Accessibility
- Head pointer preference for moving a cursor on the screen based on the precise movements of your head.
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements.
- High Dynamic Range output to HDR10-compatible third-party displays and TV connected with DisplayPort or HDMI.
- OAuth authentication support with Outlook.com accounts for improved security.
- CalDav migration support when upgrading to iCloud reminders on a secondary device.
- Resolves an issue where text copied between apps may appear invisible when Dark Mode is active.
- Fixes an issue in Safari where a CAPTCHA tile may display incorrectly.
- Resolves an issue where Reminders may send notifications for completed reminders.
- Fixes an issue with screen brightness for the LG UltraFine 5K display after waking from sleep.
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices. For more detailed information about this update, please visit https://support.apple.com/kb/HT210642.
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222.
tvOS 13.4 and news on AppleTV of 3rd gen
Apple hasn’t mentioned any new relevant changes on tvOS 13.4, so it’s likely an update to fix minor bugs and improve performance and stability. tvOS 13.4 is available as an over-the-air update for 4th generation Apple TV and Apple TV 4K; while there is news also on the third-generation Apple TV, which received the Apple TV Software 7.5 with general improvements on March 24th. Recall that the old AppleTV recently gained access to Apple TV and Apple TV+.