Apple releases macOS 12.1 Monterey globally with bug fixes and SharePlay

Apple has finally released macOS 12.1, the first major update for macOS Monterey. As the changelog below outlines, the update contains several bugs and adds new features. It remains to be seen if Monterey's memory leak issue persists with macOS 12.1, although we are yet to see Control Centre's RAM usage ballooning as it did under macOS 12.0.1.

Likewise, we imagine that people will delve into macOS 12.1 to determine if any outstanding issues from previous releases remain. However, Apple claims that it has addressed an issue that prevented some MacBook Pro 16 machines from charging via MagSafe when they were switched off. Additionally, HDR video playback on YouTube should no longer cause 2021 MacBook Pro machines to panic.

Apple considers SharePlay a highlight of macOS 12.1, which allows people to watch videos with others simultaneously through FaceTime. macOS 12.1 also adds the Apple Music Voice subscription tier, among other changes. You can read the full macOS 12.1 changelog below. In a separate blog post, Apple has also published what security-related changes and improvements it has made with macOS 12.1.

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macOS Monterey 12.1 adds SharePlay, an entirely new way to have shared experiences with family and friends in FaceTime. This update also includes the Apple Music Voice Plan, new safety features for children and parents in Messages, redesigned Memories in Photos, and other features and bug fixes for your Mac.

• SharePlay
  • SharePlay is a new way to share synchronized experiences in FaceTime with content from the Apple TV app, Apple Music, and other supported apps
  • Shared controls give everyone the ability to pause, play, rewind or fast forward
  • Smart volume automatically lowers the audio of a movie, TV show or song when you or your friends speak
  • Screen sharing lets everyone on a FaceTime call look at photos, browse the web, or help each other out

• Apple Music Voice Plan
  • Apple Music Voice Plan is a new subscription tier that gives you access to all songs, playlists, and stations in Apple Music using Siri
  • Just Ask Siri suggests music based on your listening history and likes or dislikes
  • Play it Again lets you access a list of your recently played music

• Photos
  • Memories has been redesigned with a new interactive interface, new animation and transition styles, and multiple image collages
  • New Memory types include additional international holidays, child-focused memories, trends over time, and improved pet memories

• Messages
  • Communication safety setting gives parents the ability to enable warnings for children when they receive or send photos that contain nudity
  • Safety warnings contain helpful resources for children when they receive photos that contain nudity

• Siri and Search
  • Expanded guidance in Siri, Spotlight and Safari Search to help children and parents stay safe online and get help with unsafe situations

• Apple ID
  • Digital Legacy allows you to designate people as Legacy Contacts so they can access your iCloud account and personal information in the event of your death

• TV App
  • Store tab lets you browse, buy, and rent movies and TV Shows all in one place

• This release also includes the following enhancements for your Mac:
  • Hide My Email is available in the Mail app for iCloud+ subscribers to create unique, random email addresses
  • Stocks allows you to view the currency for a ticker and see year-to-date performance when viewing charts
  • Reminders and Notes now allow you to delete or rename tags

• This release also includes bug fixes for your Mac:
  • Desktop and Screen Saver may appear blank after selecting photos from the Photos library
  • Trackpad could become unresponsive to taps or clicks
  • External displays may not charge some MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers when connected using Thunderbolt or USB-C
  • HDR video playback on YouTube.com could cause 2021 MacBook Pro computers to panic
  • Menu bar extras may be obscured by the camera housing on 2021 MacBook Pro computers
  • MagSafe may stop charging on 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro computers when lid is closed and system is shut down