CNET News - Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 11:34 PM Apple pulls Watch OS 5.1 update - CNET By Sarah Tew, CNET Apple has suspended its Watch OS 5.1 software update after some users on Twitter and Reddit reported the update was "bricking" their Series 4 watches, causing an endless boot loop. The software update had gone live only hours earlier, alongside iOS 12.1. The problem wasn't happening to everyone: I was able to update the Series 4 without issue. But enough users were experiencing problems that Apple pulled the update -- it's no longer available to download. Here's Apple's official statement on the issue: Due to a small number of Apple Watch customers experiencing an issue while installing watchOS 5.1 today, we've pulled back the software update as a precaution. Any customers impacted should contact AppleCare, but no action is required if the update installed successfully. We are working on a fix for an upcoming software update. News of the problems with the software update was previously reported by 9to5mac. My brand new Series 4 is totally bricked :( - Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) October 30, 2018 The big improvement in Watch OS 5.1 was an enhancement to its fall detection system. Once 5.1 was successfully installed, a detected fall would be followed by a recorded message to emergency services, offering location information (latitude and longitude). Previously, that location information was sent to a key emergency contact instead. The added audio message is intended for anyone who falls and is unable to speak, or falls unconscious. In the event the person who falls can still speak, there's also an option to stop the recorded message and speak directly. (The Apple Watch Series 4 has already been credited with helping at least one person who fell and needed assistance.) Apple had previously pledged to deliver a software update to the Apple Watch Series 4 that adds electrocardiogram (ECG, also known as EKG) functionality before the end of the year, but the company hasn't specified a date.
First published Oct. 31, 2:50 p.m. PT. Update, 7:30 p.m.: Adds confirmation that update has been pulled, with statement from Apple. Apple Watch Series 4 review: Bigger, faster, more health-conscious -- but not quite perfect MacBook Air, Mac Mini and iPad Pro 2018: Everything Apple just announced Apple Event Original Article at: https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-pulls-watch-os-5-1-update-after-users-report -problems/#ftag=CAD590a51e -- The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: mk...@ucla.edu and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com The archives for this list can be searched at: http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
