Owners of an iPhone or iPad can install a new version of their operating system from today. We have listed the most significant improvements of iOS and iPadOS 14.6 for you.
A novelty that you will not immediately notice is the support of Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio in the Apple Music app. That will change in June when Apple will upgrade its entire music library to higher sound quality.
Lossless Audio means that the music is compressed without loss of detail, whereas with MP3 or AAC, some sound quality is always lost. Lossless Audio files are considerably larger. Several thousands of songs on Apple Music will also receive Spatial Audio or spatial sound in June. To enjoy it, an audio system or headphones with Dolby Atmos support is required.
The iOS Podcast app has been enhanced with a feature to subscribe to podcasts in version 14.6. For example, users can gain early access to new episodes or bonus material for a fee.
Apple unveiled its long-awaited AirTags in mid-April: small handy trackers with which you can find all kinds of things, such as a bunch of keys or a handbag. The iPhone shows you the way to your lost items with great precision, provided the device is running at least iOS 14.5. In version 14.6, there is one novelty regarding AirTags: the honest finder of a lost copy can now also contact the owner via e-mail. Previously, this was only possible via a telephone number.
Finally, iOS and iPadOS 14.6 also offer support for Apple Card Family, or the options to ‘share’ the tech giant’s credit card with multiple family members. Little relevant to us, because for now, the Apple Card is only available in the United States.
Simultaneously with iOS and iPadOS 14.6, Apple also rolled out tvOS 14.6 (for the Apple TV), watch OS 7.5 (Apple Watch) and macOS Big Sur 11.4. The latest update, intended for the company’s Mac computers, mainly plugs a leak that potentially allowed hackers to sneak screenshots and screen recordings. Big Sur’s Podcast app now also supports subscriptions.
