Apple already introduced some useful features with iOS 16.1, including support for the Matter smart home standard and live activities. The update to 16.2 will further improve some of these features. But you can also look forward to a few completely new features.
The release of iOS 16.2 is currently expected around mid-December. That means you can look forward to the following new features before Christmas:
Freeform app for iPhone
When you think of freeform, you can think of a digital whiteboard that is unlimited in size. You can write, draw, sticky notes, attach photos, videos, links, documents and more. The app is also available for Macs and iPads and you can work live with others on the same whiteboard.
The sleep widget is now available for the lock screen, with which you can call up information such as sleep duration and sleep quality at a glance. Also new is a widget that can remind you to take medication.
The always-on display is now customizable
One feature that many iPhone users have been asking for is the ability to customize the always-on display. With iOS 16.2 you can now disable wallpapers and notifications. This ensures a look that you are familiar with from Android and that also saves you some energy. The new feature though is only available for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
Home app with new architecture
After the new smart home standard Matter was integrated with the last update, the home app is now also being fundamentally revised. The architecture of the app has been renewed, which should reduce battery consumption. At the same time, the performance of the app and the reaction speed have been improved with smart home accessories.
View sports scores in Live Activities
With the new update, you can display the current scores from sporting events using live activities. At the start, however, only the US leagues MLB and NBA and the British Premier League will be supported. The feature allows you to follow the score of a game live with a quick glance at the Dynamic Island or the lock screen.
You can read exactly how the live activities work here:
more on the subject
iOS 16.1: How Live Activities works
Update live activity more often
After updating to iOS 16.2, there is a new option to increase the frequency of Live Activity updates. This allows you, for example, to follow the arrival of your Uber driver more precisely or to be up to date more quickly at sporting events. Apple points out that this will have a negative impact on battery life, however.
SOS emergency call via satellite in Europey
As of November 15, iPhone users in the US and Canada can make an emergency call even if they don’t have Wi-Fi or cellular coverage. This service will also be available from December – most likely together with the update to iOS 16.2.
link to YouTube content
Advanced stage manager for the iPad
Anyone who owns an iPad with an M1 or M2 chip will soon be able to look forward to support for external displays. It should then be possible to display up to eight apps simultaneously on different screens.
5G in India
The last feature doesn’t directly affect most of us, but should please many people in India. With iOS 16.2 you can surf the 5G network in India with iPhones from the iPhone 12.
While iOS 16.2 is in the near future, you’ll have to wait a little longer for iPhone 15. But that doesn’t mean the rumor mill isn’t already churning. The latest treat: waterproof keys.
For a waterproof iPhone 15 Pro, Apple should significantly revise the buttons
Which feature are you most looking forward to and is there one that you still miss? Tell us in the comments!
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