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Samuel Axon-December 13, 2021 at 10:10 PM UTC

As usual, Apple today released new operating system updates for almost all devices. These versions include iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, watchOS 8.3 and tvOS 15.2

Further reading Apple will soon send parts and tools to users who want to repair their phones. All these updates are now publicly available on supported devices. All updates except tvOS are xx feature updates, which means they actually add new features, not just fix issues.

Depending on the operating system, these functions may include SharePlay, Apple Music Voice Plan, App Privacy Report panel, etc.

macOS 12.1 is a major update that brings many new features and fixes many bugs. Most notably, it added SharePlay, a flagship feature designed to be used in the original version of Monterey, but there was a decline in this update.

SharePlay allows you to make real-time video and audio calls via FaceTime synchronized with streaming music or video content on the supported service. Participants can access the sharing controls to pause, play or skip content. SharePlay also allows screen sharing via FaceTime.

Other new features in this macOS version include redesigned memories in photos, new family safety options for messages, and support for Siri-powered Apple Music voice plans.

However, macOS 12.1 has a major exclusion: universal control, which is a previously promised feature, should allow the use of a single mouse or trackpad to seamlessly use iPad and Mac side by side. This feature is expected to be launched at the end of this year, but it did not appear during the iOS 12.1 beta. Sure enough, it is not in the final version. Apple's website now says that the feature will be available in the spring of 2022.

Since iOS and iPadOS already have the large SharePlay feature added to macOS today (iPhone and iPad in iOS 15.1), the scope of mobile operating system updates is relatively small. But there is still something to happen here.

iOS and iPadOS 15.2 added support for the Apple Music voice plan, and introduced a new application privacy report panel in "Settings", allowing you to see which applications have accessed your information.

iOS 15.2 also adds macro photo control to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, alleviating some of the troubles caused by the default behavior of these phones when they are released. There are also many bug fixes and minor adjustments, as well as a feature that allows you to specify "old contacts" who can manage your iCloud data when you die.

With the introduction of iOS 15.2, HomePod introduced new software to support Apple Music Voice Plan. Apple also released a new Android application called Tracker Detect to coincide with the release of iOS 15.2. The app addresses our main concern about Apple's AirTag geolocation device in our review earlier this year-Android users cannot check whether the AirTag is on their body or in their belongings.

Finally, there are updates for Apple Watch and Apple TV devices. These are smaller versions. watchOS 8.3 adds support for App privacy reports and Apple Music Voice Plan, while tvOS 15.2 has no publicly shared detailed release notes, indicating that it provides at most bug fixes and performance improvements.

Starting today, all these software updates should be available for supported devices worldwide. Below, you will find the release notes written in Apple's own words.

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