Apple has already announced the date of this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, which will be held (as usual) this week. We'll see the next version of iOS, most likely named as iOS 16, at this event. But, until then, there's at least one more iOS 15 upgrade to look forward to: iOS 15.5.
Apple has made the next version of its mobile operating system available to the general public. While there are some new aspects in the mix, there aren't many new features for the end user, as one might expect. This will be included in the next update.
This time around, the issues are small. Surprisingly, it appears that this software upgrade is more about laying the framework for future developments. At the very least, it's not a desolate wasteland.
Let's have a look at the new features in iOS 15.5.
The new features in iOS 15.5
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Apple Pay Cash: Apple is adding dedicated Apple Pay Cash buttons for requesting and sending money. Furthermore, instead of using Apple Pay to send money, you may now use "Apple Cash" in the Messages app. For Apple Cash, there's also a new "Enhanced Fraud Protection" feature.
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iTunes Pass: Apple is changing the name of iTunes Pass to Apple Balance. This is a quick and simple method to view how much money you have access to through your Apple ID, which you can use to buy applications, games, movies, and other content.
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Podcasts: The Podcasts app now has a feature that restricts the number of episodes that can be retained on your iPhone and deletes outdated episodes automatically.
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Automations: iOS 15.5 corrects an issue that caused home automations to fail when someone entered or exited the house.
The changelog
The official changelog that Apple included with the software upgrade is as follows.
The following enhancements and bug fixes are included in iOS 15.5:
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Customers with an Apple Cash card can now send and request money through Wallet.
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Apple Podcasts now has a new setting that allows you to limit the number of episodes stored on your iPhone and erase outdated ones automatically.
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Fixes a problem where home automations triggered by individuals entering or leaving the house could fail.
Some functions aren't available in all countries or on all Apple devices. Please visit this website for details on the security content of Apple software updates:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
Other things
Apple is working on a Classical music app, and there are direct references to it in older iOS 15.5 beta versions. As previously stated, this software update is setting the framework for future adjustments. These are some of them:
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Reader apps add external links: As a result of external pressure, Apple has been working on this particular feature for some time. "External Link Account Entitlement" allows developers to include a dedicated link to external websites for account creation and administration within apps labeled as "Reader" apps. This implies that apps like Netflix and Hulu will now allow users to establish an account outside of the mobile app by tapping a link within the app.
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Apple Photos: "Sensitive Locations" are now supported in the Photos app. This implies that the Memories function will not auto-populate these specified locations. Holocaust memorials and designated concentration camps are among the first sites Apple has identified as sensitive locations.
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Apple Music: Apple is providing an API that will allow third-party Apple Music players to change the pace of playback. This API was previously removed with the release of iOS 15.4, however Apple has opted to reintroduce it with this update.
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SportsKit: Apple is still working on SportsKit as it looks to add additional sports programming to Apple TV and Apple TV+. Apps like Apple TV and Apple News can now have even more robust sports material included in them thanks to this new feature in Apple's operating systems. Within the TV app, there will be a new play-by-play segment, as well as a revised scoreboard.
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Home app: The redesigned Home app now displays even more useful information, such as the address, for your connected Wi-Fi network. It will be clickable to provide even additional information, such as the strength of the network.
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Weather: A new "Report a Problem" button has been added to the slightly modified app.
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AirTag: Support for a new chirp sound for the item tracking attachment has been added.
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Safari: In the web browser, there is a new icon for "Find on page."
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Third-party game controller support: The adaptive trigger feature of Sony's DualShock 5 controller is supported by iOS 15.5 for those who use it.
Found in the code and more
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Additional Focus options will be added in the future, according to the newest code for iOS 15.5.
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"External purchases from [insert app] may still persist," says a new notification from an app.
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Firmware upgrade for modems in general
And that appears to be the end of it for now! With the public debut of the mobile operating system, it's possible that some more elements may be added to the mix, and if that's the case, we'll update this piece accordingly.
Although it isn't a significant upgrade, Apple has added certain features and tweaked others. But now all eyes are on iOS 16, as we wait for the Worldwide Developers Conference this week to find out what's next.
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