Apple will release iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 next week

Apple has been working on the next iteration of its mobile operating system for months now, and it's almost ready. We're talking about iOS 14.5 for iPhones and iPod touch devices, and iPadOS 14.5 for the company's ever-expanding line of tablets (two new iPad Pros - or four if you count the 5G-enabled variants - just got official today, in fact).

According to Apple, the wait for iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 is almost over. The updates will be released over-the-air next week. There isn't a less vague timeline for now - i.e. a specific date - but stay tuned and we'll let you know when these drop.

The 14.5 version of the company's mobile operating system will be the minimum required for the newly unveiled AirTag accessory to work with your iPhone or iPad, through the addition of an Items tab in the Find My app, and it's also the iteration that will usher in the newly redesigned Podcasts app.

Aside from that, you'll also get the ability to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask if you also have an Apple Watch, an updated Music app with swipe gestures and lyrics sharing, AirPlay 2 support for Fitness+ workouts, Waze-like reporting features in Apple Maps, support for PS5 and Xbox Series X controllers, and perhaps also support for the new Apple Card Family.

iOS 14.5 will be preinstalled on the new purple iPhones announced today, as well as the iPad Pro 11 and iPad Pro 12.9.

Via 1 | Via 2