What Changed in iOS 16.4 and Upcoming Apple Gear

TL;DR

iOS 16.4 adds clearer Emergency SOS wording, regional number formats, Shazam options, and compatibility notices for Rapid Security Responses, while beta 3 shows little change in performance or battery life. Apple Music Classical was scheduled for March 28, and reports pointed to a display-equipped HomePod in early 2024 and an M3 iMac no earlier than the second half of 2023.

Transcript

what's up guys my name is Brandon and welcome back to Apple weekly in this episode we're going to be talking about even more iOS 16.4 features and changes along with new rumors on the iPhone 15 and the Next Generation iMac the new Macs that are dropping next month in April why Apple might be increasing the price of a specific iPad b... Read More

Key Insights

• iOS 16.4 beta 3 is a smaller update than the first two betas, which collectively introduced roughly 40 to 50 or more features and changes. Its additions primarily refine wording, menus, regional formatting, security notices, and existing application behavior.
• Emergency SOS settings now explain that warning alarms, flashes, and VoiceOver audio are silenced when a quiet emergency call is initiated through hold-and-release controls or five button presses, replacing the vaguer explanation shown in iOS 16.3.1.
• Regional number formatting is configurable in iOS 16.4 through a new Number Format section under General, Language and Region. Users can select among three available formats, giving them more control over how numerical values appear on the device.
• Car Key may shift away from NFC support and rely on ultra-wideband technology, according to code details cited from 9to5Mac. If implemented as described, newer iPhones equipped with ultra-wideband would be required to unlock and start supported cars.
• Rapid Security Responses can cause application compatibility problems, and beta 3 adds language warning that some applications may close unexpectedly after the latest response. The notice says removing the security response may resolve those problems when incompatibility occurs.
• Apple Music Classical is a standalone iPhone application containing more than five million tracks, new releases, celebrated works, and thousands of exclusive albums. It supports high-resolution lossless playback and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos but was not announced for iPad.
• iOS 16.4 beta 3 shows no meaningful day-to-day performance or battery improvement in the presenter’s testing. Geekbench 6 scores were lower than those from the first two betas, although ordinary performance felt unchanged and battery life appeared similar.
• Apple’s reported hardware roadmap includes a seven-inch-display HomePod in the first half of 2024 and a 24-inch M3 iMac in the second half of 2023 at the earliest. The iMac is expected to retain the previous model’s colors.

Questions & Answers

Q: What features and changes are included in iOS 16.4 beta 3?

iOS 16.4 beta 3 contains fewer additions than the first two betas. Its changes include more specific wording for the Call Quietly option in Emergency SOS, new Shazam menus and Apple Music controls, three regional number-format choices, revised Rapid Security Response compatibility language, and updates to the Tips application. A lock-screen battery widget problem also appeared in this beta.

Q: How did Emergency SOS change in iOS 16.4?

The Emergency SOS Call Quietly setting received a clearer description in iOS 16.4. It specifies that warning alarms, flashes, and VoiceOver audio will be silenced when an emergency call is placed using hold-and-release controls or five button presses. The earlier iOS 16.3.1 description was characterized as vague and did not explain these consequences as precisely.

Q: What is Apple Music Classical and how much does it cost?

Apple Music Classical is a standalone iPhone application dedicated to classical music. It offers more than five million tracks, including new releases, celebrated masterpieces, and thousands of exclusive albums, with high-resolution lossless playback and spatial audio using Dolby Atmos. It is included for Apple Music subscribers, while access for nonsubscribers costs five dollars per month.

Q: When was Apple Music Classical scheduled to launch?

Apple Music Classical was scheduled to launch on March 28 and was available for preorder through the App Store before that date. The announcement described it as an iPhone-only application rather than an iPad application. Its March 28 timing also contributed to speculation that iOS 16.4 could arrive during the same general period.

Q: Does iOS 16.4 beta 3 improve performance or battery life?

The presenter observed no meaningful improvement in ordinary performance or battery life with iOS 16.4 beta 3. Geekbench 6 produced a slightly higher single-core result than an earlier test, but both reported scores were lower than results from the first two betas. Despite those measurements, day-to-day performance felt unchanged, and battery life seemed comparable across the tested versions.

Q: What bugs were found in iOS 16.4 beta 3?

A battery widget bug affects the lock screen in iOS 16.4 beta 3. When the presenter adds the widget there, it remains blank instead of identifying the charging device. The same widget works correctly on the home screen, and the issue had not occurred before beta 3. The beta also includes warnings about applications potentially closing after security responses.

Q: What is reported about the next HomePod with a display?

A report attributed to Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple will unveil a redesigned HomePod with a built-in seven-inch panel during the first half of 2024. Tianma is expected to be the exclusive panel supplier. The display-equipped design could create tighter integration with other Apple hardware and represent a significant change in the company’s smart-home strategy.

Q: When could the M3 iMac arrive and what might change?

The next iMac is reported to be in an advanced stage of development, although mass production was not expected to begin for at least another three months at the time discussed. Its earliest projected arrival is the second half of 2023. It is expected to retain the 24-inch size and existing colors while adding an M3 chip, internal changes, and a new stand manufacturing process.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• iOS 16.4 beta 3 introduces smaller refinements after the first two betas delivered dozens of changes. Updates include clearer Emergency SOS language, three regional number formats, revised Shazam controls, and warnings about applications that may close unexpectedly after a Rapid Security Response. A lock-screen battery widget bug remains present.

• Apple Music Classical was announced as a standalone iPhone application scheduled to launch on March 28. It includes more than five million tracks, exclusive albums, high-resolution lossless playback, and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. Access is included for Apple Music subscribers, while separate access costs five dollars monthly.

• Reported future hardware includes a redesigned HomePod with a built-in seven-inch display during the first half of 2024. The next iMac is expected to retain its 24-inch size and existing colors while gaining an M3 chip, internal design changes, and a revised stand manufacturing process in the second half of 2023 at the earliest.