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 macOS 12 Monterey, iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, watchOS 8.1, and tvOS 15.1 Arriving
                                   Next Week

   Josh Centers

   Buried in the [1]press release for the third-generation AirPods, Apple
   dropped this little nugget: 'AirPods require Apple devices running iOS
   15.1, iPadOS 15.1, watchOS 8.1, tvOS 15.1, or macOS Monterey, all
   available as free software updates next week.' The [2]announcement for
   the new MacBook Pro narrows it down further: 'macOS Monterey will be
   available as a free software update on Monday, October 25.' So mark
   your calendars!

   The marquee feature shared between Monterey, iOS 15.1, and iPadOS 15.1
   is SharePlay, Apple's delayed option for watching movies or listening
   to music with others over FaceTime. SharePlay also provides built-in
   screen sharing in FaceTime.

   Overall, macOS 12 Monterey is a less radical update than macOS 11 Big
   Sur, but it includes some nice features, Live Text (see '[3]Digitize
   Any Text with Live Text in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15,' 4 October 2021), Hide
   My Email for iCloud+ users, and new Notes features like tags and Quick
   Note, which I cover in [4]Take Control of Notes. Unfortunately, it
   seems that Universal Control, which will let you use the same keyboard
   and pointer between Macs and iPads, [5]will be delayed.

   The HomePod Software 15.1 update, which should also ship next week,
   will add support for Lossless Audio and Dolby Atmos, which should
   provide an audio quality upgrade for compatible Apple Music tracks.

References

   Visible links
   1. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/10/introducing-the-next-generation-of-airpods/
   2. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/10/apple-unveils-game-changing-macbook-pro/
   3. https://tidbits.com/2021/10/04/digitize-any-text-with-live-text-in-ios-15-and-ipados-15/
   4. https://www.takecontrolbooks.com/notes/?pt=TIDBITS
   5. https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/18/universal-control-macos-monterey-later-this-fall/

   Hidden links:
   6. https://tidbits.com/wp/../uploads/2021/06/Universal-Control.jpg

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