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Release candidate shows iOS 15.3 will be just bug fixes

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Mac malware is real. Watch out.
Bug fixes aren't exciting, but they're necessary.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the iOS 15.3 release candidate to developers on Thursday, along with the iPadOS equivalent. Surprisingly, the updates appear to include nothing but bug fixes and security updates. There are no new features. Still, I t’s possible these will take care of a headline-making WebKit bug that leaks user information.

Release candidates for macOS Monterey 12.2, watchOS 8.4 and tvOS 15.3 are also out on Thursday.

Apple Watch owners face charging issues after updating to watchOS 8.3

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watchOS 7.3.1 squashes a bug inApple Watch’s Power Reserve feature.
Not again!
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Some Apple Watch owners are experiencing charging problems after installing Apple’s newest watchOS 8.3 update.

The bug mostly appears to affect Apple Watch Series 7 and third-party charging accessories from a range of brands. However, some users have reported similar problems with older Apple Watch models. There is a temporary fix if you need it.

iOS 15.2 brings new privacy features, Apple Music Voice Plan

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Apple tests Legacy Contacts to allow loved ones access your data after you pass on
Legacy Contacts are among the features debuting in iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPhone users can now upgrade to iOS 15.2. The update adds a cheaper Apple Music option, plus there’s a new App Privacy Report, and parents will be alerted if their children send or receive nudes.

iPadOS 15.2 is also available with these same updates. And there’s overlap with the just-released watchOS 8.3 and macOS Monterey 12.1.

watchOS 8.3 brings gesture controls to older Apple Watch models

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Apple Watch AssistiveTouch gesture controls
Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5 support on the way.
Photo: Apple

The new watchOS 8.3 release candidate, rolled out by Apple on Wednesday, brings AssistiveTouch gesture controls to older Apple Watch models.

The feature made its debut back in May, but could be used only on newer devices, like Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7. The release candidate expands support to Series 4 and Series 6 devices for the first time.

watchOS 8.1.1 removes charging bug on Apple Watch Series 7

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watchOS 8.1.1 removes charging bug on Apple Watch Series 7
watchOS 8.1.1 is out, but it might not be for you.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple Watch Series 7 wearers should install a small “bug fix” update that debuted on Thursday. If you don’t have that model, don’t waste time looking for the new version — watchOS 8.1.1 is apparently only for the recently released Series 7.

iOS 15.2 beta brings App Privacy Report to track activity of third-party apps

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Apple begins testing iOS 15.2 with new App Privacy Report
Developers can start testing iOS 15.2 beta 1, iPadOS 15.2 beta 1 and watchOS 8.3 beta 1 on Wednesday.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 15.2 beta 1 and iPadOS 15.2 beta 1 have been seeded to developers. When available to everyone, the updates will bring an App Privacy Report for tracking what third-party application are doing. It’ll show users, each app’s sensor, data and internet usage in a simple chart.

These beta releases come only two days after iOS 15.2 and the iPad equivalent were released to the general public.

iOS 15.1 with SharePlay moves a big step toward release

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Don’t install the iOS 15.1 beta if you plan to get an iPhone 13 ASAP
iOS 15.1 could be only a week away.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded Release Candidates for iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1 to developers on Monday, adding the long-awaited SharePlay feature. The release candidates for watchOS 8.1 and tvOS 15.1 were also seeded. This means the beta testing process for all of these is almost over.

In addition, developers also got access to the macOS Monterey Release Candidate. Apple promised to introduce the final version to Mac users on October 25.

Apple Watch Series 7 owners report mysterious third-party app glitches

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Apple Watch 7 app glitches
There should be app icons in those empty spaces.
Photo: James Thomson

Users setting up brand-new Apple Watch Series 7 units today report a number of strange glitches with third-party apps. In addition to missing app icons, many see problems rendering complications, the tiny widgets that surface info from various apps on the watch face.

It seems the glitches may be related to the App Store. Apple has not yet publicly acknowledged the problem, and there is apparently nothing users can to do set things straight.

First iOS 15.1 beta resumes testing missing features

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First iOS 15.1 beta resumes testing of missing features
That didn’t take long.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 15.1 to developers on Tuesday, just a day after the general public got access to iOS 15. The company also gave devs access to the initial betas for iPadOS 15.1, watchOS 8.1 and tvOS 15.1. These are expected to include some of the features promised earlier but removed from the versions that debuted on Monday to give additional development time.

In addition, Apple released to macOS Monterey beta 7 to developers.

There’s plenty to enjoy in iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 [Updated]

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There’s plenty to enjoy in iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8
iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch just got a heap of new features.
Photo: Apple

If you’ve been eagerly waiting for iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 since June, then rejoice! Everyone can finally install them. iPad gets plenty of new features, while iPhone and Apple Watch get a handful of nice improvements.

Here are the cool enhancements you can look forward to, whether you jump on the updates Monday or decide to wait.