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  iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, macOS 12.3.1 Monterey, and Siblings Fix Bugs and
                            Security Vulnerabilities

   Josh Centers

   Two weeks after the release of iOS 15.4, macOS 12.3 Monterey, and
   company, Apple has released minor updates for all of its current
   operating systems to fix bugs and eliminate security vulnerabilities
   (see '[1]Apple Releases iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, macOS 12.3 Monterey,
   watchOS 8.5, tvOS 15.4, and HomePod Software 15.4,' 14 March 2022).

iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1

   [2]iOS 15.4.1 (266.6 MB on an iPhone 11 Pro) and [3]iPadOS 15.4.1
   (181.5 MB on an eighth-generation iPad) fix bugs introduced in iOS 15.4
   and iPadOS 15.4, the most notable being a nasty battery drain (that
   I've been experiencing myself). The updates also fix some accessibility
   bugs with unresponsive Braille readers and hearing devices losing
   connection with some third-party apps.

   These updates fix [4]one actively exploited security issue that let
   attackers execute code with kernel privileges. If you're running iOS
   15.4 or iPadOS 15.4, you should install these updates right away.

macOS 12.3.1 Monterey

   The [5]macOS 12.3.1 (1.34 GB) update also fixes some hardware-specific
   bugs introduced in macOS 12.3, including problems with installing 12.3
   on recent MacBook Pro models, display problems with some 2018 Mac mini
   models, and Beats headphone-related Bluetooth disconnects.

   macOS 12.3.1 fixes [6]two security flaws: the aforementioned arbitrary
   code bug and an exploit in the Intel graphics driver that could let an
   attacker read data from memory. Both have been actively exploited in
   the wild, so everyone running Monterey should update now.

watchOS 8.5.1, tvOS 15.4.1, and HomePod Software 15.4.1

   Apple's second-string operating systems also received updates, but
   details are light. It's hard to feel much urgency in installing these
   updates, but it's likely worthwhile.
     * The [7]watchOS 8.5.1 release notes mention 'security updates and
       bug fixes,' but it has [8]no published CVE entries (544 MB for an
       Apple Watch Series 4).
     * [9]tvOS 15.4.1 'includes stability improvements when setting up or
       restoring your Apple TV.' Again, it has no published CVE entries.
     * Did you notice some HomeKit devices not responding properly through
       a HomePod after installing HomePod Software 15.4? [10]HomePod
       Software 15.4.1 fixes that. (467.7 MB)

   Let us know if you have any issues after installing any of this crop of
   updates.

References

   Visible links
   1. https://tidbits.com/2022/03/14/apple-releases-ios-15-4-ipados-15-4-macos-12-3-monterey-watchos-8-5-tvos-15-4-and-homepod-software-15-4/
   2. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212788
   3. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212789
   4. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213219
   5. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212585
   6. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213220
   7. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212790
   8. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222
   9. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207936
  10. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208714

   Hidden links:
  11. https://i0.wp.com/tidbits.com/wp/../uploads/2022/03/Monterey-1231.png?ssl=1

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