iOS 16.4 Launch – The latest version of iOS 16 is just around the corner, and all indications are that it will bring a slew of new features to iPhone users.
We don’t yet have a firm release date, but Apple is aiming for the spring, which means it could arrive in March or April. Of course, we’ll be lining up for WWDC 2023 just a few months later to get our first look at iOS 17.
It will not cost you anything to download, as with all iOS updates, and you will be automatically notified when it is available for your device. You can either install it immediately after receiving the notification or postpone it until a more convenient time.
If you charge your iPhone overnight, it will automatically update itself while you sleep.
With iOS 16.4, Apple has focused on a few key improvements, including web push notifications and, of course, a new set of emojis. Let’s start there.
New emojis
iOS 16.4 includes all of the new emojis introduced with Unicode 15.0. These are the first new emoji characters in over a year, with 21 new symbols included. If you include skin tone variations, that number rises to 31.
They include a variety of graphics such as hearts, animals, foods, and other objects. The shaking face and “talk to the hand” gesture are two highlights.
Here’s the full list of new emojis:
- Shaking Smiley Face
- Angel Wings
- Donkey
- Hand Fan
- Moose
- Jellyfish
- Grey Heart
- Pink Heart
- Light Blue Heart
- Goose
- Hyacinth
- Pea Pod
- Ginger
- Flute
- Hair Pick
- Maracas
- Wi-Fi
- Khanda
- Pushing hand right (six skin tone variations)
- Pushing hand left (six skin tone variations)
5G Standalone
iOS 16.4 will also include support for the “5G Standalone” service, which aims to provide significantly faster speeds when traveling.
Currently, only T-Mobile offers the feature, but theoretically, it could enable speeds of up to 3Gbps in certain areas.
Web push notifications
Once iOS 16.4 is installed on your iPhone, you’ll be able to use Safari’s web-based notifications.
Users can opt in to receive notifications from the web browser, just like they can from an app. This could mean that you want to be notified when a new article is published on a website like Tom’s Guide.
To avoid being inundated with pings, only websites saved to the Home Screen will be granted permission to send push notifications.
Podcast improvements
With iOS 16.4 launch, it has received a minor update and will now include a channel section. This means that a service provider can have all of their podcast offerings in one location. On iPhone, iPad, and Mac, listeners will be able to browse the channel and discover new shows.
Up Next is also getting some new features. Episodes saved to your library will already be in the queue, but you can remove them by touching and holding the show’s artwork. When you use Podcasts with CarPlay, you’ll also be able to see Up Next (and Recently Played).
What’s more, the episode dashboard has been improved. Listeners can see how many unplayed episodes are available to them at the top of each show page as well as in the Library’s Recently Updated section. They can quickly determine how recently a new episode was published, as well as identify “early access” subscriber episodes made available to them as part of their subscription.
see also; iOS 16.2 beta 2 – Here’s New Feature and Change
New Home app architecture
Apple is reintroducing the revamped Home app architecture that was first introduced with iOS 16.2. That version was removed due to bugs, but it reappears with this update.
The new architecture is intended to improve communication between smart home accessories and Apple devices. If you like Philips Hue light bulbs, for example, you can expect a more reliable connection from your iPhone.
Apple has been working on increasing efficiency since it announced iOS 16 at WWDC 2022 last year.
Rapid Security Response
Rapid Security Response is Apple’s system for delivering time-critical security issues via standalone updates. Until now, Apple addressed security updates through its larger software updates. Apple’s latest effort, iOS 16.4, can be downloaded directly from the iPhone’s Settings menu.
Navigate to Settings > General > Software update and look for iOS Security Response 16.4 there (b). It’s unclear whether this second Rapid Security Response push addresses a specific issue or is simply more testing on Apple’s part. Probably the latter, and once the company is satisfied with the system, it will proceed to a full release.
see also; iOS 16 is here — All New Features For Your iPhone
Simpler beta opt-in
Users will be able to enable beta updates in the Settings app instead of having to go through a browser to download the correct device profile first with iOS 16.4 launch.
Navigate to General > Software Update in the iPhone’s Settings app to find it. It means that if you’re a member of Apple’s Developer Program, you’ll be able to speed up the process of trying out test versions of apps. This new menu will also allow you to enable public betas of iOS.
