Plus: Face ID can recognize you with a mask on, kinda
This week Apple released software revisions for its desktop, mobile, watch, and TV operating systems, along with application updates and security patches. MacOS Monterey got bumped to version 12.3, bringing with it 60 security fixes, eight of which involved potential arbitrary code execution. The desktop OS update also includes some useful features like Universal Control, a way to use a single mouse and keyboard across multiple Apple devices such as a macOS computer and an iPad. If you’ve ever wanted to copy data from one bit of kit in order to paste it to another with a mere mouse movement, your ship has come in. Universal Control is not to be confused with Sidecar, which dates back to macOS Catalina and provides a way to extend a Mac’s display space with the extra screen area of an iPad. The desktop update incorporates Spatial Audio support for M1-based Macs, given the right model AirPods. So with the proper gear, you can experience dynamic head tracking in Apple’s Music app. Finally, macOS 12.3 adds 37 new Emoji, a gender-neutral Siri voice, an episode filter for the Podcasts app, Italian and Chinese (traditional) translation support in Safari, more accurate battery capacity readings, and a few other things. Apple’s iOS 15.4 (and iPadOS 15.4) addresses 39 CVEs and implements support for Face ID authentication when wearing a health-oriented face mask, though only for iPhone 12 and 13.
