Apple iOS 16.4 & iPadOS 16.4 Third Beta Released: What to Expect?
Apple released the third beta of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, introducing numerous new features and improvements to the iPhone and iPad.[0] The update will bring a range of new emoji, updates to the Music and Podcast apps, 5G Standalone support, new HomeKit architecture, previews of Mastodon links in Messages, and more.[1] The public release of the 16.4 update is expected sometime in March or April.[1]
The new version of iOS, 16.4, will enable web push notifications to be received through Safari on the iPhone.[2] With this capability, users can get notifications from websites on their phones, just as they do with App Store apps.[3] Push notifications can only be requested by websites that the user has saved as a web app on their Home Screen.[3]
The update also reintroduces Apple’s revamped Home app architecture, which was initially rolled out with iOS 16.2 but was temporarily pulled due to bugs. An optional update is available in the Home app after updating to iOS 16.4, which features a new underlying architecture. Apple has suggested that the new architecture will enhance the app's performance, efficiency, and dependability for controlling smart home devices.[3]
As part of iOS 16.4, users will have access to a variety of new emojis from the Unicode Em[4] Among the new emojis are a shaking head emoji, various animals, and pink and light blue heart colors.[5] Additionally, the Music interface has been slightly modified in the first iOS 16.4 beta, and the Podcasts app has seen some improvements as well.[4]
No one knows when iOS 16.4 will be officially released to the public, but it is likely to be around March 2023, coinciding with Apple's annual spring event. On Monday, Apple put out Rapid Security Response updates for iPhones running iOS 16.4 beta and for Macs running macOS 13.3 Ventura beta.[6]
Apple recently seeded the third beta of watchOS 9.4 to developers for testing purposes, and also seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates to public beta testers.[7] The update is expected to bring support for 5G Standalone for iPhone users and also remove NFC support from its Car Key technology.
It is anticipated that the 16.4 update will be rolled out to the public around March, coinciding with the Apple spring event.
0. “Apple iOS 16 & iPadOS 16.1 update and bugs tracker (cont.updated)” PiunikaWeb, 2 Mar. 2023, https://piunikaweb.com/2023/03/02/apple-ios-16-and-ipados-16-update-and-bugs-tracker-cont-updated/
1. “Apple rolling out third iOS 16.4 public beta with new emoji, 5G Standalone, more” 9to5Mac, 8 Mar. 2023, https://9to5mac.com/2023/03/08/apple-third-ios-16-4-public-beta
2. “Apple Seeds Third Beta of watchOS 9.4 to Developers for Testing” Mactrast, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.mactrast.com/2023/03/apple-seeds-third-beta-of-watchos-9-4-to-developers-for-testing
3. “Apple's iOS 16.4 update: What's new coming for iPhone users?” Business Today, 5 Mar. 2023, https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/apple-ios-164-update-whats-new-coming-for-iphone-users-372304-2023-03-05
4. “iOS 16.4 Beta 2: New Features Public Beta Testers Can Try Now” CNET, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-16-4-beta-2-new-features-public-beta-testers-can-try-now
5. “Apple iOS 16.4 with new emojis, web push notifications, and more to roll out by April” News9 LIVE, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.news9live.com/technology/mobile-phone/apple-ios-16-4-with-new-emojis-web-push-notifications-and-more-to-roll-out-by-april-au1146-2068316
6. “Second Rapid Security Response Updates Now Available for iOS 16.4 and macOS 13.3 Ventura Beta Users” Mactrast, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.mactrast.com/2023/03/second-rapid-security-response-updates-now-available-for-ios-16-4-and-macos-13-3-ventura-beta-users/
7. “Apple kicks off the second beta of watchOS 9.4!” YTECHB, 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.ytechb.com/apple-kicks-off-the-second-beta-of-watchos-9-4
