IOS 14.4 Update Brings Enhanced Audio Security And Settings

IPhone 12 Pro (Photo by Daniel Romero on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Apple launched the latest version of iOS 14.4 for iPhone and iPad users on Monday, January 26. Although not a major update like iOS 14.3, this latest version of the operating system from Apple comes with several updates and feature enhancements.

Citing the company's description on the Apple Support page, iOS 14.4 allows the camera to be able to identify small QR codes. Apple has also added a bicycle track feature to the Apps application. When the user views the cycling track, it will also display interesting locations that have been marked by the system.

The company also added new privacy features that could increase user control over app access. That way, users can freely determine what types of data can and cannot be accessed by certain applications.

Another interesting feature is the classification of additional audio devices. This feature serves to set the type of audio device that is already connected to the device. So, the device can determine the audio level of the device as well as send notifications when the user is listening to something that has the potential to damage hearing.

To organize and classify audio, users can do it through the Settings menu. In the menu, users can determine which audio devices can be connected to the level of sound produced.

Meanwhile, minor bug fixes include fixing artifacts that often appear in HDR photos from iPhone 12 Pro, Fitness widget which cannot update Activity data, word suggestions that do not appear on the keyboard, Switch Control in the Accessibility menu which can prevent phone calls when the screen is locked.

Security Update

In this iOS update, Apple also added a security update which was delivered via a separate page. The iOS 14.4 update fixes three major holes in the system that, according to Apple, could be exploited by hackers to access users' devices.

TechCrunch noted, this notification is somewhat strange and is the first time the company has done it. Previously, holes in systems were usually passed on by cybersecurity researchers, for companies to fix.

So, when Apple conveyed itself that there was a flaw in the system, it seemed that the hole was quite serious and had the potential to harm users. In addition, it can also be concluded that the notification is a company invitation for users to immediately update the operating system on their device.

In a separate document, Apple explained that the three bugs were related to the operating system kernel code and the WebKit engine from Safari. The existence of these bugs allows hackers to access users' devices, especially when users access suspicious sites.

Unfortunately, Apple is reluctant to share more detailed information regarding these dangerous bugs. There is also no information regarding the types of threats the user can face.