iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 hit supported devices today

Enlarge /. The 2020 iPad Air – one of several devices supported by today's new software releases.

Today Apple started rolling out iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 on supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. The company also rolled out watchOS 7.3 to Apple Watches and tvOS 14.4 to Apple TVs.

iOS 14.4 / iPadOS 14.4 is a somewhat minor feature update. New additions to the release notes include the ability to read smaller QR codes with the iPhone cameras, notifications to notify users "if your iPhone's camera cannot be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera", as well as a number of bug fixes.

Here are Apple's full release notes for iOS 14.4:

iOS 14.4 includes the following improvements for your iPhone:

• Smaller QR codes can be recognized by the camera
• Option to classify the bluetooth device type in the settings to correctly identify headphones for audio notifications
• Notifications when the camera on your iPhone cannot be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max

This version also fixes the following issues:

• Image artifacts can appear in HDR photos taken with the iPhone 12 Pro
• The fitness widget may not show updated activity data
• Typing may be delayed and suggested words may not appear on the keyboard
• The keyboard might not display in the correct language in messages
• Audio Stories from the News app in CarPlay may not resume after being paused for spoken directions or Siri
• Enabling Switch Controls in Accessibility may prevent calls from being answered on the lock screen

In addition to the features listed in the iOS 14.4 Release Notes, some users and developers say they have found other changes. According to MacRumors, one of these is Find My Items, which allows third parties to use Apple's Find My APIs on their devices. There's also an update to the HomePod mini handover that will see the iPhone now using its U1 ultra-broadband chip to sense proximity to the HomePod mini for a better experience.

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As mentioned earlier, Apple is also rolling out new updates for watchOS and tvOS. The tvOS update consists entirely of bug fixes and tweaks, and Apple has not provided detailed release notes. This is not uncommon with tvOS updates, which get a big boost with each major annual release, but relatively little in between.

However, Apple has provided release notes for watchOS 7.3. They are as follows:

watchOS 7.3 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:

• Unity dial – inspired by the colors of the Pan-African flag – change shapes throughout the day as you move to create a face that is unique to you
• Apple Fitness + Subscriber Time – an audio experience in the workout app where guests share inspiring stories as they walk
• EKG app for Apple Watch Series 4 or later in Japan, Mayotte, the Philippines, and Thailand
• Irregular heart rhythm notifications in Japan, Mayotte, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand
• Fixed an issue where Control Center and Notification Center might not respond when Zoom is enabled

Apple announced the Time to Walk feature earlier this week. This Fitness + feature guides users through running workouts while listening to talks from celebrities like Dolly Parton and Draymond Green.

The release of the Unity watch face coincides with the start of Black History Month (February). Today, Apple also announced a number of other Black History Month-related initiatives, including a custom Apple Watch design, new editorial collections for various content services, and more.

All of these software updates should be available today to users of supported devices worldwide.