Apple this evening made the release candidate versions of iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4, tvOS 14.4, watchOS 7.3 and Xcode 12.4 available to registered developers and public beta testers.
Apple has somewhat surprisingly released the release candidate versions of iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4, tvOS 14.4, watchOS 7.3 and Xcode 12.4 publishedAs a reminder, Apple announced at the end of last year that the term "Release Candidate" would replace the previous term "Golden Master". In future, Apple will use this to refer to a beta version that is nearing completion. Along with the HomePod 14.4 beta, which is only available to a limited number of testers, iOS 14.4 adds new HomePod mini features that use the Siri speaker's U1 chip.
iOS 14.4 makes U1 chip in HomePod mini useful
There are now visual, audio, and haptic effects when transferring songs from a HomePod mini to a U1-enabled iPhone 11 or iPhone 12. When an iPhone is near the HomePod mini, a gentle haptic touch rhythm begins, getting faster and faster the closer the iPhone gets, until the interface for transferring a song between the HomePod mini and the iPhone opens. This feature will make handoffs on a HomePod mini and an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 faster and more reliable. In the Workout section of the Apple Watch app, there's a new "Time to Run" feature that includes a toggle for "Add recent workouts to watch." This suggests Apple may be planning to offer guided walking workouts on watchOS 7.3.
iOS 14.4 expands Bluetooth range
Additionally, 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 when music is playing at a level that may be damaging to hearing health over time. In addition to new features, a number of bugs have also been fixed, including issues with HDR photos on the iPhone 12, the Fitness widget, and more. Below you can find the full update description verbatim. (Image: Apple)
iOS 14.4 update description
iOS 14.4 includes the following improvements for your iPhone:
- Smaller QR codes can be recognized by the camera
- Option to classify Bluetooth device type in settings to correctly detect headphones for audio notifications
- Notifications when the camera on your iPhone cannot be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max
This version also fixes the following issues:
- Image artifacts could occur in HDR photos taken with the iPhone 12 Pro.
- The 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 appear in the correct language in Messages
- Audio posts from the Messages app in CarPlay may not resume after being paused for spoken instructions or Siri
- Enabling the toggle control in Accessibility may prevent phone calls from being answered from the lock screen
