Everything new in iOS 16.4 beta 2

AppleInsider

The second iOS 16.4 beta doesn't add much that the first beta didn't have, but there are a few new features. Here's what's new.

iOS 16.4 beta 2 has few minor changes

The latest beta cycle for iOS 16.4 and the other operating system updates is running at the normal pace for early betas. It took nearly a month for the beta to begin after iOS 16.3 was released, and it has been 11 days since then.

It doesn't seem like iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, tvOS 16.4, and watchOS 9.4 are overly ambitious releases. Updates so far include new Shortcuts actions and UI refinements.

For the second beta, users have discovered that the Apple Books page turn animation has returned. Code refers to three user options for how a page turn animates -- curl, instant, and swipe.

The animation was a near-skeuomorphic remnant of the older iBooks experience and disappeared with the Books app update in iOS 16. Users vocalized their disappointment in losing the feature, which may have led to its return.

Code sleuth Steve Moser, who contributes to MacRumors, shared a few discoveries found in the iOS 16.4 beta 2 code. The Apple Wallet app has hidden text that suggests Apple Pay will finally launch in South Korea.

Another snippet of code states that the Apple Music Classical app can only be installed if Apple Music is also installed. No signs of a potential release date, but work on the app continues.

Code discovered by 9to5Mac shows Apple has expanded a feature called 5G Standalone. It became available to US T-Mobile iPhone users with the first iOS 16.4 beta, and support has expanded to Brazilian carriers Vivo and TIM Brazil. 5G SA is also coming to Japanese carrier Softbank.

Discovered in iOS 16.4 beta 1

The first beta added a few user-facing features like rich previews of Mastodon links in iMessage and a new ellipsis in the Apple TV Up Next feature.

Toggle always-on display mode with Focus Filters

Shortcut updates and new Focus Filters give users control over the always-on display. Also, there's a new parameter tracked in the battery settings that shows how much battery is used by the always-on display, specifically.

There are several other significant updates coming to Apple's operating system we've already covered in detail.

Those include:

• Apple killing off developer beta profiles


• Podcasts app changes


• TV Library load time fix in tvOS


• HomeKit architecture upgrade returns


• Web app push notifications


• 31 new emoji

It isn't clear when Apple intends on releasing iOS 16.4 and the other new updates. These beta cycles usually last for about a month, placing this release sometime in March.

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Another snippet of code states that the Apple Music Classical app can only be installed if Apple Music is also installed. No signs of a potential release date, but work on the app continues.

This is consistent with the idea that Apple Music Classical really isn't a separate product. The entire classical music catalog will still be available in the regular Apple Music app, and there won't be an additional fee for the classical app. It will simply an enhanced UI and search app that makes sense with the more complex way of cataloging classical music. Musical genres overlap, so having both apps makes the most sense. This way, the folks who want the advanced catalog database will get it, but the folks who have been listening occasionally to classical music and even have classical tracks included in their playlists won't lose a thing. They'll just start seeing buttons offering the opportunity to explore more in the app designed for classical music. 

I am increasingly optimistic that this is going to be another occasion where Apple didn't remotely invent a thing but manages to at long last be the first to get the implementation right. 

fred1

I read a lot of books in the Books app so I’m glad they’re restoring the page turning animation. I wish they’d return the whole interface to what it was, after the skeuomorphic days.