Apple just released iOS 15.4 for iPhone! For an interim update, the software brings many innovations. In this article we take you through all the new features of iOS 15.4.
iOS 15.4: the new features
While there was hardly anything new under the sun with the previous interim update (iOS 15.3), iOS 15.4 has a lot to offer. You install the software by opening the Settings app and going to ‘General>Software Update’. Here, tap ‘Download and Install’. After installing iOS 15.4, you can get started with the following functions.
1. Face ID with mouth cap
Just as the pandemic is coming to an end, the iPhone is getting a handy mouth mask function. With this, Face ID (facial recognition) also works if you wear a mouth cap. The technique then uses only the area around your eyes to recognize your face.
Unfortunately, for some inexplicable reason, the feature only works on an iPhone 12 (Pro) or iPhone 13 (Pro). Face ID with a mouth cap also works with glasses, but not with sunglasses. Furthermore, the feature – despite making Face ID slightly less secure – can be used to make payments with Apple Pay.
2. 37 new emojis
With the interim update of iOS 15, the emoji dictionary has been expanded with dozens of new pictures. New emojis include a pregnant man and sensual lips.
There is also a melting face, a peeking through the fingers emoji, a salute emoji, a dotted line emoji, a giggling emoji, a greeting emoji, a diagonal mouth emoji, an emoji crying with happiness and a troll.
Many hand gestures are also added, such as hands making the heart gesture, a hand with the index finger and thumb crossed and a hand pointing at the viewer. Other new emojis include a nest with eggs, an empty nest, a lotus flower, playground slide, lifebuoy, empty battery, X-ray, bubbles and an ID card.
3. Password Notes
iCloud Keychain has an option to add a note to a password. You do this by opening the Settings app and going to ‘Passwords’. Tap an account and choose Add Notes.
The option is especially useful for websites that give you recovery codes. You can use it to reset your password; useful if you no longer have access to an Authenticator app. Now there is a safe and practical place to store them.
4. iPhone as an ATM
With the update, the iPhone can be used as an ATM for the first time. Unfortunately, this is only possible in the United States. There, with an iPhone, it is not only possible to make payments (Apple Pay), but also to receive them. Apple calls this feature “Tap to Pay.”
The feature is ideal for small retailers who no longer have to invest in an ATM. Tap to Pay works with an iPhone XS or newer. It is not yet known if and when the position will come to the Netherlands.
5. Turn off notifications in Assignments
By default, you will receive a notification when Commands takes action, but from iOS 15.4 this can be turned off. If you are working on a ‘Personal automation’ in the Assignments app, you can choose not to receive a notification when a task is activated. To see the option, Ask before executing must be turned off.
6. Activate SharePlay faster
SharePlay (a new feature of iOS 15) lets you share content via FaceTime. For example, you can watch an episode of Apple TV+ together, or listen to an album in Apple Music at the same time.
In apps that support SharePlay, in iOS 15.4 there is an option to activate the feature directly from the Share window. To do this, tap the share icon (the square with the arrow) and select the green SharePlay button. Then you invite someone.
7. Third Party Apps with 120 Hz
The new iPhone 13 Pro (Max) has a screen that refreshes super fast: up to 120 Hz. That’s twice as fast as the other iPhone models. The technology could already handle apps from Apple well, but now this also applies to apps from third parties.
8. Gender Neutral Siri Voice
There is a notable change to Siri: the voice assistant now also has a gender-neutral voice. This only applies to the American Siri, by the way. You can listen to the gender neutral voice by opening the Settings app and going to Siri & Search. Change ‘Language’ to ‘English (United States) and set Siri Voice to Voice 5’.
9. Universal Control
We close with a cool iPad feature, because in addition to iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4 is also out. The software brings ‘Universal Controls’ to the iPad, allowing you to use the iPad and Mac seamlessly side by side. Your mouse flies from one screen to another with Universal Controls. The mouse of your Mac also works on the iPad and vice versa.
The keyboard also works automatically on both devices. So you can use the Mac keyboard to type something on your iPad. It is also possible to drag and drop files between the iPad and Mac.
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