Upgrade Your Apple Ecosystem: New Features for iPhone, iPad, Mac & Watch

This fall, Apple has released its latest major software update along with smaller improvements for its products including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Among these updates is the iOS 16.4, now rolling out to iPhones and supported iPod Touch models. One of the most notable features is the enhanced web app capabilities of Safari 16.4, which includes push notifications for websites added to the home screen. Additionally, users can now enjoy voice isolation during phone calls, as well as improvements to the Photos and Weather apps. Another new feature is the accessibility setting that automatically dims video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected.

21 new emoji including animals, hand gestures, and objects are now available in emoji keyboard

Notifications for web apps added to the Home Screen

Voice Isolation for cellular calls prioritizes your voice and blocks out ambient noise around you

Duplicates album in Photos expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library

VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app

Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected

Fixes an issue where Ask to Buy requests from children may fail to appear on the parent’s device

Addresses issues where Matter-compatible thermostats could become unresponsive when paired to Apple Home

Crash Detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models

The Emergency SOS feature on Apple devices is now available in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal. To use it in these areas, you will need to update to iOS 16.4. iPad models are also receiving the same update, with added features such as a tilt feature for the Apple Pencil and fixes for the Apple Pencil in the Apple Notes app. Check out the full changelog from Apple below.

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The latest update includes 21 new emoji options that cover animals, hand gestures, and various objects, all of which are now accessible through the emoji keyboard. Additionally, users of the iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation) can now take advantage of the Apple Pencil hover feature, which allows them to preview their mark at any angle before making it in Notes and other supported applications. Finally, the update also includes a useful new addition: notifications for web apps can now be found on the Home Screen.

Duplicates album in Photos expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library

VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app

Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected

Kit

Improves the reliability of Wi-Fi connectivity

Improves the reliability of Bluetooth connectivity

Fixes an issue that could prevent iPhone from charging wirelessly

Addresses an issue where the touch screen could temporarily become unresponsive

Improves the performance of the GPS system

Fixes an issue where the Camera app could become unresponsive when launched

macOS Ventura 13.3 has been released, providing similar features as the iOS and iPadOS updates. One notable update in watchOS 9.4 is the improved wake-up alarm that prevents accidental deactivation when the screen is covered by your hand while sleeping. Additionally, AFib history and cycle tracking are now available in more countries. The updates also come with 21 new emoji, including a "shaking face," three new heart colors, and various new animal and object emojis such as donkey, moose, and flute. The updates can be downloaded via the Settings app on Apple devices.

Source: The Verge, MacRumors (1, 2, 3)