Photo by Miguel Tomás on Unsplash

IOS 14 was announced at Apples WWDC in June 2020 and brought a whole cluster of new features. Some of the leading features were widgets on the home screen, a new app library, a more convenient way to answer phone calls, picture and picture video, and the ability to pin conversations. Many users took advantage of the update and redesigned their entire home screen with third party widget apps. Many users evens showed their new layouts for a viral TikTok trend that displayed their different themes.

A recurring question that I ask myself is, is a new home screen and redesigned app library really what the user wants? Many loved the update but some thought the new features were useless and not what iPhone users really wanted. I was in the category of thinking am I really going to use these new features?

In comes IOS 14.5, an update that Apple launches usually eight to nine months after the release of the new big IOS. In my opinion, it typically has a few small features, new emojis, and bug fixes. This year however it comes with some major updates that just make sense. IOS 14.5 combines unique and practical features that many users will use every day.

The update is currently only available to developers and public beta users but should be released to the public in the upcoming weeks. Apples Beta Software Program is available to participate in by signing up on Apples website. It is designed for users to give feedback to Apple on new releases.

Unlock Face ID With a Mask On

Photo by Apple/ MacRumors

Yes you heard me right, Face ID unlocks when wearing your mask.

Users that have an Apple Watch will now be able to unlock their iPhones. The settings app will now have a feature to “unlock with apple watch” and Face ID will use your watch instead of scanning your face to unlock your device.

Personally, this is my favorite feature. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed how all of us do day to day activities. Let’s be honest, there is really no use of Face ID when wearing a mask. How many times have you forgotten that you are wearing a mask and don’t understand why your phone is not unlocking? It probably takes me a minute now to unlock my phone when pre pandemic it took two seconds.

Finally a feature I’ve wanted since March 2020. The Watch must be updated to Watch OS 7.4 in order to work.

New Report Button on Apple Maps

Photo by Apple / MacRumors

Apple Maps will now have a “report an incident feature.” This Waze- like feature will allow users to have input on different kinds of incidents in the surrounding area. This will help Apple Map users see if their route has accidents, if there are cops checking for speed, or if there are any dangers that should be known about.

This feature is much appreciated and I think will have many Waze users convert to Apple Maps. I know for myself, apps that use accident report or user generated traffic comments have saved me from entering countless hours of traffic.

Console Controller Support

Photo by Louis-Philippe Poitras on Unsplash

With the launch of Apple Arcade, a streaming service that gives gaming users a new experience and different games that can be played across multiple Apple devices, Apple promised to offer support for next generation gaming console controllers like the X- Box Series X and PlayStation 5 DualSense Controllers. The use of having an actual console controller allows users to have more control and feel like they are gaming on a next generation console.

App Tracking Transparency

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

The last feature that I think is a game changer is the ability to turn on and off tracking for different apps.

Ever searching for a new pair of shoes and then five minutes later see five ads for different shoe website? Yeah….. thats because of marketers ability to know and understand what we are looking at. By turning on “allow apps to request to track” a pop up will be displayed in the app when first downloading it. This is just another layer of security for users to have when it comes to privacy.

Some social media apps, most notably Facebook, have been particular vocal about their negative opinions on this. Facebook thinks this will have a negative affect on their ability to market to different people and for them to generate ads that the user would click on.

Other Features

Some smaller features include:

• Small redesigns to the news and reminders app.
• Changes to the Podcast app; a standout is changing the Subscribe button to Follow.
• Siri updates.
• Airplay 2 compatible devices can now stream Apple Fitness+.
• Have default music setting for streaming services.
• Dual Sim 5g support.
• Apple Card family support.
• Much more.

The rumored released date is sometime in March and I can not wait for the new features to make my life much easier.