Technologies

Apple’s iOS 15 update arrives on Monday, but here’s why you might wait to install it

Waiting a week to download Apple’s new iOS 15 operating system might save you some headaches.

This story is part of Apple Event, our full coverage of the latest news from Apple.

The next version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 15, will arrive on Monday, Sept. 20. (Here’s how you’ll download and install iOS 15 when it appears.) Apple revealed the date during a launch event earlier this week, at which the tech giant also unveiled the iPhone 13, new iPads and the Apple Watch Series 7.

While the new software for iPhones (and iPadOS for iPads) is full of brand-new features like the ability to FaceTime Android owners, store your driver’s license in your digital wallet and some major Apple Maps upgrades, you might want to consider waiting an extra week or two before installing iOS 15.

Sure, you can run headlong into the new operating system and play with all the new features as soon as they’re available. That’s the fun of it, right? But there are some good reasons that might stay your hand from clicking the Update button when it pops up.

Why iOS 15 won’t be perfect at launch

The beta release of any version of iOS is intended to help developers identify and squash bugs before the operating system becomes widely available. However, some bugs are likely to slip through to the launch version. Just look at last year’s general release of iOS 14, which reverted users’ default browsers and mail apps every time they restarted their devices, among other glitches.

Bugs and issues just like that have cropped up in the iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 betas, and could still be a problem in the initial general release. And even if these issues don’t completely stop you from using your iPhone or iPad, the bugs will still likely be annoying and disruptive.

Based on our experiences testing the iOS 15 beta, the third build was worse than the ones that came before it. Apps constantly crashed for no reason, and the keyboard would randomly stop working on the iPad Pro. Again, Apple’s development team likely caught and addressed most of those bugs. But if you download on Day 1, you’re setting yourself up to be the live version of a beta tester.

How long should I wait before downloading iOS 15?

Going back to the iOS 14 example, the issue with default apps was taken care of a week later. That’s the window you should look for: Wait a week, maybe two if you want to be super cautious, and then download the new iOS. By that point, most of the early bugs in the overall OS and individual apps should be worked out.

Don’t wait too long, though

While a certain amount of caution can help you avoid headaches, you shouldn’t be overcautious. Delaying updates to your operating system for too long can also leave you vulnerable to security flaws. Any operating system updates that are related to security issues — like the iOS 14.8 update released earlier this week — are important to install as soon as possible to keep your device secure.

The launch of a new operating system like iOS 15 rarely falls into that category, but it’s an important distinction to make. Whenever you decide to update to iOS 15, make sure your device is ready first. It’s difficult to revert back to the previous operating system, but it is possible.

For more coverage of the iPhone 13 event, check out everything Apple announced and why the biggest iPhone 13 feature is its trade-in offers.

Technologies

Chrome Autofill Now Supports Passport, Driver’s License and Vehicle Info

Soon, you’ll never need to remember anything ever again.

Computer users are accustomed to web browsers autofilling everything from names and addresses to credit card numbers. Now, Google Chrome is adding new enhanced autofill options that allow users to automatically populate fields for passports, driver’s licenses, and their vehicle’s license plate or VIN, Google said in a blog post on Monday.

Desktop users must choose to turn on the feature, which is called enhanced autofill. Otherwise, it stays off. To turn it on, open Chrome, and at the top right of your browser, select more, then settings, then autofill and passwords. Finally, choose enhanced autofill and turn it in.

Google says Chrome now can «better understand complex forms and varied formatting requirements, improving accuracy across the web.» The company also says that enhanced autofill will be «private and secure.»

This enhanced autofill update is available in all languages, and more data options will be supported in the coming months.

A representative for Google said the company had no additional comment.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Chrome is a critical component in Google’s business. The web browser, currently the most popular in the world with a 73% market share, according to GlobalStats, provides the company with valuable user data that it uses to sell advertising. Advertising is how Google makes the majority of its revenues. New features help keep users loyal to Chrome, making it more difficult for them to switch to other browsers, including those from companies like Perplexity and OpenAI.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Nov. 4, #407

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 4, No. 407.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one. The Connections: Sports Edition puzzle makers will never run out of categories because they have discovered they can just pick one athlete and make a connections group out of four facts about that person. They do that today with the blue category, so if you don’t know that one player, you’re out of luck. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Get up and go!

Green group hint: College hoops.

Blue group hint: Famous basketball player.

Purple group hint: Not fair, but…

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Energy.

Green group: Men’s college basketball teams with the most championships.

Blue group: Associated with Damian Lillard.

Purple group: Foul ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is energy. The four answers are pep, verve, vigor and zip.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is men’s college basketball teams with the most championships. The four answers are Kentucky, UCLA, UCONN and UNC.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is associated with Damian Lillard. The four answers are 0, Dame Time, Trail Blazers and Weber State.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is foul ____. The four answers are out, shot, territory and tip.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Tuesday, Nov. 4

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Nov. 4.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? There are a few tricky clues, so read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.