Apple releases iOS 11.4.1, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, and HomePod 11.4.1

MacDailyNews ^ | Monday, July 9, 2018

[Swordmaker]

Apple has released iOS 11.4.1 which includes bug fixes and improves the security of your iPhone or iPad.

This update:
• Fixes an issue that prevented some users from viewing the last known location of their AirPods in Find My iPhone
• Improves reliability of syncing mail, contacts, and note with Exchange accounts.

iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2 multi-room audio, support for HomePod stereo pairs, and Messages in iCloud. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.

AirPlay 2
• Control your home audio system and AirPlay 2-enabled speakers throughout your house
• Play music at the same time on multiple AirPlay 2-enabled speakers in your house, all in sync
• Control AirPlay 2-enabled speakers from Control Center, the Lock screen, or AirPlay controls within apps on your iPhone or iPad
• Use your voice to control AirPlay 2-enabled speakers with Siri from your iPhone or iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV
• Take a call or play a game on your iPhone or iPad without interrupting playback on your AirPlay 2-enabled speakers

HomePod stereo pair
• This update supports setting up your HomePod stereo pair using your iPhone or iPad
• HomePod pair automatically senses its location in the room and balances the sound based on the speakers’ locations
• Advanced beamforming provides wider soundstage than traditional stereo pair
• HomePod will automatically update to support stereo pairs, unless auto updates are disabled in the Home app

Messages in iCloud
• Store your messages, photos, and other attachments in iCloud and free up space on your devices
• All your messages appear when you sign into a new device with the same iMessage account
• When you delete messages and conversations they are instantly removed from all your devices
• To turn on Messages in iCloud, enable Messages in iCloud settings (Settings > [your name] > iCloud)
• Your conversations continue to be end-to-end encrypted

Other improvements and fixes
• Enables teachers to assign their students reading activities in iBooks using the Schoolwork app
• Fixes an issue where certain character sequences could cause Messages to crash
• Addresses a Messages issue that could cause some messages to appear out of order
• Addresses an issue that could prevent logging in or accessing files on Google Drive, Google Docs and Gmail in Safari
• Fixes an issue that could prevent data syncing in Health
• Fixes an issue that could prevent users from changing what apps can access Health data
• Resolves an issue that could cause an app to appear in an incorrect location on the Home screen
• Fixes an issue where CarPlay audio could become distorted
• Fixes an issue where selecting music from your iPhone could fail when playing music over Bluetooth or when connected to USB on some vehicles

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

---

Apple today released tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, and HomePod 11.4.1 .

“Any associated HomePods should be updated to their new firmware automatically,” Roger Fingas reports for AppleInsider. “Installing watchOS 4.3.2 involves loading the Watch app on a paired iPhone, selecting General, then Software Update. The update process requires that an Apple Watch have at least 50 percent charge, and be sitting on its charger as well as within Bluetooth range.”

“tvOS 11.4.1 can be installed on the Apple TV or Apple TV 4K,” Fingas reports. “If a set-top isn’t set to update automatically, the process can be forced by going into the Settings app, System, and then Software Update.”

“The developer and public beta releases suggested the update would concentrate more on bug fixes and performance improvements, rather than introducing new features,” Fingas reports. “It is likely that Apple would rather save any new additions for iOS 12, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5, which are undergoing beta testing ahead of an expected release this fall.”

Read more in the full article here.

[Swordmaker]

Apple releases iOS 11.4.1, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, and HomePod 11.4.1. —PING!

Apple Updates iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and HomePodOS Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[bobcat62]

The High Sierra update just dropped.

[Jane Long]

Thanks for the ping!!

[Rio]

This is interesting:

The USB Restricted Mode is a feature that prevents private companies and law enforcement agencies from cracking iPhone passcodes with USB devices. You will find this feature under Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Settings > Touch ID & Passcode. Then you will see a toggle for USB Accessories. The USB Accessories toggle is on by default. Turning it off will prevent USB accessories from connecting when you iPhone has been locked for over an hour.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2018/07/09/apple-ios-11-4-1-features/#31d8b76ef7ef

[Swordmaker]

You’re right, it just dropped onto my MacBook announcements. Too bad I’m catching a plane out of Las Vegas back home in about an hour. I can’t do the update until I get home later tonight.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Gay State Conservative]

Wow! The President of the United States is about to nominate a justice for the Supreme Court and we get to hear about some “breakthrough” in cell phones.

[BTerclinger]

Thx!

[John W]

Free Republic is all inclusive, all news, all the time.

[polymuser]

I sure hope it fixes Exchange contact info disappearing, as in 11.4. Of all things to lose from a cell phone update...

[bobcat62]

I can tell you the (springboard) performance issue with the Apple TV 4K seems to have been fixed.

[RandallFlagg]

I wish that they’d eventually put out an update that allows me to pause and play my firearm podcasts consistently.
Half the time when I push the middle button on my earbuds to start listening after pausing, Siri fires up.

[Swordmaker]

I wish that they’d eventually put out an update that allows me to pause and play my firearm podcasts consistently.
Half the time when I push the middle button on my earbuds to start listening after pausing, Siri fires up.

Sounds as if you might be getting a double click. That invokes Siri.

[RandallFlagg]

Hmmm. I’m pretty sure that I’ve been consciously single clicking every time, but it keeps randomly happening.
I just changed the setting so that Siri only activates by voice, and disabled it for podcasts. I’ll try it again tonight at work.
Thanks.

[polymuser]

Yep, it appears to have fixed the missing Exchange contacts, on mine :)

Battery consumption is worse, though :(

Continuous smartstuff pdates — coder and techie job security program. It ain’t broke, but fix it anyway. Oh oh oh, look, new goodies in the coding toolbox, gotta use ‘em all!

[polymuser]

Well, 12 didn’t fix battery consumption, and now copying text and photo handling is awful.

My opinion now is that programmers have run amuck, and lost control of their ever-morphing code beasts.

And I suspect the 11 battery drain problem, which they will not explain, is from greatly increased background monitoring of our actions.