iOS 14.5 introduces Waze-like features to Apple Maps

It's widely known that Apple Maps is lagging behind its competition. But the company is working on bringing it up to par with what Google offers with its Maps and Waze apps. With the beta 4 release of iOS 14.5, Apple Maps gets Waze-like crowdsourcing features so you can report accidents, speed checks, and hazards along the way. There's a new Report button in the app that you can access through your iPhone or CarPlay.

While not related to the beta release, Apple Maps has also rolled out in the US a way to look for COVID-19 vaccination sites in the country. Apple users in the US can search "COVID-19 vaccines" on Maps or ask Siri, "Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccination?" Both features use data from VaccineFinder.

iOS and iPadOS 14.5 beta 4: AirPlay 2 for Apple Fitness+, third-party controller support

With the release of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 beta 4, it brings with it some features you might find helpful. 

These include the addition of AirPlay 2 support for Apple Fitness+. It will let subscribers to Apple's fitness service begin a workout on an iPhone or iPad and then AirPlay this to a compatible smart TV or set-top box. AirPlay 2 supports audio and video, but it won't show on-screen workout metrics.

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Apple iOS 14.5 has more gender-inclusive emojis

New iOS updates mean more emojis. This time, the 217 new emojis coming will include more gender-inclusive symbols. There will be options for both women and men emojis to sport beards. The update will also let you choose the skin tone for the couples' emoji.

There are three new smiley options, including the Exhaling Face, Face With Spiral Eyes, and Face in Clouds. For those who want to let others know they got vaccinated for COVID-19, Apple updated the Syringe emoji to take out the blood. There's also a new Heart on Fire and Mending Heart emoji, which sports a bandage on it. 

And for branding purposes, Apple updated the Headphone emoji to make it look like its new AirPod Max headphones.

Source: Emojipedia