As we venture into spring, we can expect the latest iPhone operating system to be reaching our phones as Apple continues beta testing iOS 16.4.
Firstly, iOS 16.4 will introduce new highly anticipated emojis. Unicode 15 includes a shaking face, a heart in three new colours, a jellyfish, a goose, as well as others. This update is welcomed by many users as new emoji options haven’t been introduced for over a year.
Secondly, the update includes opt-in support for web-based push notifications using Safari. Just like notifications sent from App Store apps, this will allow Safari to send notifications from websites. For this feature to work, the user must save the website as a web app on the home screen and request for it to send push notifications.
Thirdly, there will be a new “Beta Updates” menu in the phone’s settings. The user will need to open the Settings App, find General and proceed to Software Update. It will create a simpler beta installation process by allowing members of Apple’s Developer Program to access developer betas of iOS. There will be no need to install a configuration profile from the Apple Developer website. This option will only be available if the device is signed into the same Apple ID used to enrol in Apple’s Developer Program. To prevent configuration profiles from being used and shared online for free, Apple’s later iOS releases will use the new menu as the only way to enable developer betas.
Fourthly, the update will improve the Podcast App. In a new Channels menu in the app, a list of podcast channels will be together all in one place making them easily accessible to listeners. The Up Next queue will include episodes listeners have saved to their Library and episodes that they play from shows they don’t follow. Moreover, CarPlay now allows access to the Up Next and Recently Played queues from the Listen Now tab, as well as podcast recommendations in the Browse tab.
Lastly, there will be a reinstatement of the previous Home App Architecture that was pulled from the iOS 16.2 update due to bugs. An optional update is available in the Home App with new architecture once the device is running on iOS 16.4. It is said to improve the app’s efficiency, performance, and reliability for controlling smart home accessories.