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| Apple. |
Apple just dropped its newest software update for the iPhone, iOS 16.5. It's got a bunch of awesome new features and improvements, but it also comes with some problems you should watch out for. In this article, I'm gonna break down what iOS 16.5 has to offer and what you need to know before updating your device.
The Good: New Features and Enhancements
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| Latest Face ID Feature On Apple's Latest Update. |
iOS 16.5 introduces some exciting new features and enhancements that make the iPhone more powerful, versatile, and fun to use. Here are some of the highlights:
- Face ID with Masks: One of the most requested features in the pandemic era is finally here. You can now unlock your iPhone with Face ID even when wearing a mask, as long as you have an Apple Watch paired with your device. The Apple Watch will vibrate to confirm that your iPhone is unlocked, and you can also lock it again from your wrist if needed.
- App Tracking Transparency: This is a major privacy feature that gives you more control over how apps track your activity across other apps and websites. You can now choose to allow or deny tracking requests from each app or opt out of tracking altogether in the Settings app. You can also see which apps have requested permission to track you in the past and change your preferences at any time. This feature has sparked a lot of controversy and debate between Apple and other tech giants like Facebook, which rely on tracking data for their advertising revenue. You can read more about this topic in this article.
- Siri Offline Mode: Siri can now perform some basic tasks without an internet connection, such as setting timers, alarms, reminders, playing music, controlling smart home devices, and more. This makes Siri more reliable and convenient to use in situations where you have poor or no network coverage.
- New Emoji: iOS 16.5 adds over 200 new emoji to the iPhone keyboard, including more skin tone variations, gender-inclusive options, new smiley faces, animals, food items, and more. You can also use the new Memoji stickers to express yourself in more ways than ever before.
- Apple Music Updates: Apple Music has received some improvements and additions in iOS 16.5, such as the ability to share lyrics with your friends on social media, a new Made For You section that curates personalized playlists based on your listening history and preferences, and a new City Charts feature that showcases the most popular songs in different cities around the world.
The Bad: Bugs and Glitches
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| Some Of The Glitches That Can Be Seen. |
As with any software update, iOS 16.5 is not without its flaws and glitches. Some users have reported various issues after updating their devices, such as:
- Battery Drain: Some users have noticed a significant decrease in their battery life after updating to iOS 16.5. This could be due to the new features that consume more power, such as Face ID with masks and Siri offline mode, or due to some background processes that are not optimized for the new software. To fix this issue, you can try turning off some of the features that you don’t use often, such as Background App Refresh, Location Services, and Bluetooth, or resetting your device settings to factory defaults.
- Wi-Fi and Cellular Issues: Some users have experienced problems with their Wi-Fi and cellular connections after updating to iOS 16.5. They have reported slow speeds, dropped calls, poor signal strength, and other connectivity issues. You could try rebooting your device, changing your network settings, updating your phone service, or getting help from your provider.
- App Crashes: Some users have reported that some of their apps crash or freeze after updating to iOS 16.5. This could be due to compatibility issues between the apps and the new software update, or due to corrupted app data or cache files. To fix this issue, you can try updating your apps to the latest version available on the App Store deleting reinstalling problematic apps clearing app cache files
The Ugly: Potential Risks and Drawbacks
Besides the bugs and glitches that can be fixed with future updates or workarounds, there are also some potential risks and drawbacks that come with updating iOS These include
- Compatibility Issues: Updating iOS may cause some compatibility issues some older devices accessories not supported new software updates For example some older models of AirPods may not work properly on iOS due to firmware updates requiring them to function correctly You may also encounter some problems with some third-party apps services not updated optimized iOS yet
- Data Loss: Updating iOS may result in some data loss something goes wrong during the installation process encounter some errors or glitches after updating the device For example may lose some photos contacts messages other important files not backed up properly before updating the device corrupted new software update avoid this risk should always backup device before updating using iCloud iTunes
- Jailbreak Loss: Updating iOS may cause loss jailbreak have one device Jailbreaking process allows customizing the device beyond what Apple allows installing unauthorized apps tweaks modify the functionality appearance However jailbreaking also voids the warranty and exposes device security risks malware infections updating device iOS while having jailbreak lose jailbreak all apps tweaks installed using it
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What Does This Update Mean for iOS 17?
iOS 16.5 is likely the last major update for iOS 16 before Apple unveils iOS 17 later this year at WWDC 2023 in June. This means that iOS 16.5 is probably the most stable and polished version of iOS 16 that we will get until then.
However, this also means that iOS 16.5 could be laying the groundwork for some of the features and changes that we will see in iOS 17. For example, Apple could be testing the waters with App Tracking Transparency before introducing more privacy-focused features in iOS 17. Or Apple could be preparing Siri for more offline capabilities in iOS 17 by giving it a taste of it in iOS 16.5.
Of course, these are just speculations based on rumors and leaks that we have heard so far about iOS 17. We won’t know for sure what Apple has planned for its next major software update until it officially announces it at WWDC.
What Potential Features Can Come from iOS 16.5 to iOS 17?
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| New Control Centre. |
Based on what we have seen in iOS 16.5, we can also make some predictions about what potential features can come from iOS 16.5 to iOS 17. Here are some of them:
- A Completely Revamped Control Center: According to one rumor, iOS 17 could bring the biggest Control Center redesign in years, possibly the biggest to date – but stopped short of detailing them. Based on what we have seen in iOS 16 .5, we can guess that Apple might be adding more customization options, widgets, shortcuts, toggles, sliders, buttons, etc . to Control Center, making it more useful, accessible, and personalizable.
- A New Journaling App: According to another rumor, Apple might introduce a new journaling app with iOS 17 that can use your data to remind you what you’ve done each day. Based on what we have seen in iOS 16 .5, we can guess that this app might integrate with other Apple apps such as Photos, Health, Calendar, Maps, etc . to create a comprehensive timeline of your daily activities, memories, achievements, goals, etc.
- More Offline Features: Based on what we have seen in Siri Offline Mode in iOS 16 .5, we can guess that Apple might expand its offline capabilities to other apps and services in iOS 17. For example, Apple might allow you to download maps, directions, transit information, etc . for offline use in the Maps app. Or Apple might allow you to access your iCloud Drive files, notes, reminders, etc . without an internet connection.
Conclusion: Should You Update to iOS 16?
iOS is a major software update that brings a lot of new features and improvements iPhone experience but also some drawbacks and issues that should be aware of before updating the device.
The decision whether update does not depend on personal preference situation
If value privacy convenience fun over stability performance then should update iOS soon as possible.
If value stability performance over privacy convenience fun then should wait a while until Apple fixes some bugs and glitches in future updates. If value compatibility data security jailbreak over anything else then should avoid updating iOS altogether. Whatever decides to make sure backup up the device before updating to avoid any potential data loss.
I hope this article helped inform about what to expect from Apple’s latest iPhone update iOS
Thank reading please share your thoughts and comments below.
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FAQ
Q: Is iOS 16.5 released?
Yes, iOS 16.5 was released on May 18, 2023, after six weeks of beta testing. It is available for iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.
Q: Is iOS 16.5 safe?
Apple has released a security content page for iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5, which includes information about the vulnerabilities fixed in the update. There are no reports of significant security issues with iOS 16.5, as it includes bug fixes and security patches.
Q: What iPhones can get iOS 16?
The iPhones that can get iOS 16 are iPhone 7 and newer models, including iPhone SE (2nd generation). However, iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE (1st generation) are no longer supported.
Q: What does the 16.5 update do?
The iOS 16.5 update includes a combination of bug fixes and new features. Some of the new features include a new "Pride Celebration" wallpaper and watch face, a Sports tab in Apple News, and Siri screen recording. Additionally, there are bug fixes for Spotlight, Screen Time, and Podcasts.
Q: Does iOS 16 drain the battery?
There are no reports of iOS 16 draining the battery excessively. However, battery life can vary depending on usage patterns and device settings.