Apple has released three free operating system updates for their updated iDevices covering iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Our report provides a broad overview of the updates along with two videos on iOS and iPadOS to help you see some of the key features highlighted.

iOS 15 is now Available

iOS 15 introduces new ways to stay connected, powerful updates that help users focus and explore, and intelligent features to get more done with iPhone. FaceTime updates provide more natural video calls, Focus helps users reduce distraction, new features like Live Text use on-device intelligence to surface useful information, upgrades to Maps provide brand new ways to navigate the world, and much more. iOS 15 is available today as a free software update.

Enhancements for More Natural FaceTime Calls

FaceTime is more essential than ever, giving users a way to easily connect with the people who matter most. Powerful updates to FaceTime audio and video features make calls feel more natural and lifelike. With spatial audio, voices in a Group FaceTime call sound like they’re coming from the direction in which the person is positioned on the screen.1 Voice Isolation, a new microphone mode, uses machine learning to eliminate background noise and prioritize the user’s voice, while Wide Spectrum allows for every bit of background sound to come through. Inspired by the stunning portrait photos taken on iPhone, Portrait mode in FaceTime blurs a user’s background and puts them at the focus.2 Voice Isolation, Wide Spectrum, and Portrait mode can also be used with third-party apps, such as Webex, Zoom, and WhatsApp. Group FaceTime gives the option to display participants in same-size tiles in a new grid view.

FaceTime calls now extend beyond Apple devices, so people using an Android or Windows device can join from their web browser. FaceTime calls on the web remain end-to-end encrypted so privacy is not compromised. To initiate the call, iPhone, iPad, and Mac users simply create a FaceTime link and share it through Messages, Calendar, Mail, or third-party apps, making it easier than ever to connect with friends and family.

Later this fall, SharePlay will deliver a new way for users to share experiences with friends and family while on a FaceTime call, such as listening to songs together, watching a TV show or movie, completing a workout together, or sharing their screen to view apps.

SharePlay will work with apps like Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Fitness+, as well as Disney+, ESPN+, HBO Max, Hulu, MasterClass, Paramount+, Pluto TV, SoundCloud, TikTok, Twitch, and many others. SharePlay can be accessed through iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and with shared playback controls, anyone in a SharePlay session can play, pause, or jump ahead. SharePlay even extends to Apple TV, so users can watch shows or movies on a big screen.

More Privacy Controls

New privacy features provide even more transparency and control over the data users provide to apps. Mail Privacy Protection prevents senders from learning whether an email has been opened, and hides IP addresses so senders can’t learn a user’s location or use it to build a profile on them. Siri’s protection of user privacy goes even further with on-device speech recognition as users’ audio requests are now processed entirely on device by default, enabling more personalization, offline requests, and faster performance.

Apple's full press release covers the following:

• More Ways to Stay Connected with Messages
• Powerful Tools to Find Focus in the Day
• A Fresh New Look for Notifications
• On-Device Intelligence Delivers Live Text, Advanced Spotlight Search, and Memories
• Redesigned Browsing with Safari
• Navigate and Explore with Apple Maps
• New Keys and State IDs Come to Apple Wallet
• Redesigned Weather Experience
• Organize and Collaborate in Notes
• More Privacy Controls and more

iOS 15: Top 10 Tips for Apple’s New iPhone Software Update | WSJ

iOS 15 Availability

• Available on iPhone and iPad with A12 Bionic and later and Mac models (2018 or later).
• Available on iPhone and iPad with A12 Bionic and later and Mac computers with the M1 chip.
• Digital car keys are available on iPhone XS and later and require a participating car manufacturer.
• Support for new keys requires an iPhone running iOS 15 and a compatible door lock for apartments, homes, offices, and hotels that will be available through third parties.
• Participating states will share more information at a later date about when support for mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet will be available to their residents.
• Available on iPhone and iPad with A12 Bionic and later. Requires download of speech models.
• Requires HomePod or HomePod mini with HomePod software 15.0 or later and a compatible HomeKit accessory.

iPadOS 15 is Now Available

iPadOS 15 introduces new features that take the versatility of iPad even further, with a multitasking experience that is even more intuitive, new widget layouts for the Home Screen, the App Library, more ways to capture thoughts with Quick Note, and FaceTime updates for more natural video calls. iPadOS 15 is available today as a free software update. For details, see Apple's press release for iPadOS.

iPadOS Review of the Highlights

Availability

• iPadOS 15 is a free software update that is available starting today for iPad mini 4 and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and all iPad Pro models.
• iPadOS 15 is a free software update that is available starting today for iPad mini 4 and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and all iPad Pro models

watchOS 8 is Available Today

Apple today launched watchOS 8, bringing powerful features to help Apple Watch users stay connected, be more active, and better understand their overall health and wellness. New workout types, updates to cycling, and the new Mindfulness app expand support for physical and mental well-being, while enhanced capabilities with the Wallet and Home apps enable users to more seamlessly use Apple Watch on the go and at home. The redesigned Photos app, new watch faces, and tools in Messages provide customers with more ways to connect with loved ones.  For details, see Apple full watchOS Press Release.

Availability

• Available on Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, and Apple Watch Series 7.
• Fall detection for workouts will come in a watchOS 8 update later this year for Apple Watch Series 4 and later. This feature applies to workouts initiated in the Workout app or third-party workout apps that sync with the Health app.
• Available on Apple Watch Series 6 and later. Digital car keys require a participating car manufacturer and will be coming later this year.
• Support for new keys in Apple Wallet requires a compatible door lock for homes, offices, and hotels that will be available through third parties.
• Participating states and the TSA will share more information at a later date about when support for mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet will be available in each state, and which TSA airport security checkpoints and select lanes it will be available at first.
• Portraits and World Time faces are available on Apple Watch Series 4 and later.
• Available on Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE.