Mike Peterson
Apple on Wednesday released iOS 13.6, iPadOS 13.6, macOS 10.15.6, tvOS 13.4.8, and watchOS 6.2.8 to the public with new features such as Apple News+ audio content and CarKey support.
The iOS and iPadOS 13.6 software updates introduce a new Apple News audio component for Apple News+ subscribers, featuring professionally narrated stories curated by the company. There's also a new local news initiative launching in five cities.
Additionally, Apple CarKey support is now active in iOS 13.6 and watchOS 6.2.8, meaning that users can store digital car keys in the Wallet app on their iPhone and iPads. The CarKey feature will initially only be compatible with certain BMW models, but will likely be expanded to include other carmakers in iOS 14 and beyond.
iOS 13.6 also adds a new "Symptoms" menu to the Health app, and implements a slew of bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements. One notable miscellaneous addition is a new toggle that will give users more granular control over iOS and iPadOS software updates.
tvOS 13.4.8 and macOS 10.15.6 appear to be bug-fixing updates with no major user-facing features. Besides CarKey support, watchOS 6.2.8 is similarly minor with only an expansion of irregular heart rhythm notifications and ECG app availability detailed in Apple's release notes.
Apple also released HomePod firmware update 13.4.8 on Wednesday, which the company says includes "general improvements for stability and quality."
Users should now be able to download the software updates over-the-air on iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs and Apple Watches.
This is likely to be among the last rounds of updates to the current iOS 13, macOS Catalina, tvOS 13 and watchOS 6 cycle as Apple transitions its focus to iOS 14, macOS Big Sur, watchOS 7 and tvOS 14.
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20 Comments
I’ll wait until midnight to be sure there are no major surprises reported in any of the updates.
Too late. I'll report any issues after my iPad Zoom meeting is over and the update has finished.
Meeting ended early. Typical long wipe/load cycle... and I'm back. Haven't gone too many places (just email and safari), but no issues so far.
i gots a whole bunch of upgrading to do.......i need a beer!
Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!