Apple releases tvOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4 with refinements for Apple Watch and Apple TV devices

Apple has released operating system updates for iPhones and iPads this week, as well as numerous Macs. Additionally, the company has updated its Apple Watch and Apple TV platforms with smaller patches, albeit ones that fall under x.4 revisions. Still, tvOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4 offer a practical change each for Apple TV and Apple Watch devices, respectively.

Specifically, tvOS 16.4 adds a new feature to tvOS that Apple calls 'Dim Flashing Lights'. As its name suggests, the feature dims a connected display when an Apple TV detects rapidly flashing lights. According to Apple, the feature is designed to help those with photosensitive epilepsy between 16 Hz and 25 Hz frequencies. For reference, you can enable Dim Flashing Lights in the main System Settings menu under Accessibility.

Meanwhile, Apple has refined how alarm clocks work on Apple Watch models. Previously, it was possible to mute an alarm when asleep by covering the display with one hand. The new watchOS 9.4 update changes this, so it should no longer be possible to accidentally disable an alarm during the middle of the night. Like iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4 introduces 21 new emojis that should show correctly on incoming messages. As always, an Apple Watch will only start updating when it reaches at least 50% charge on a charger. Also, it is worth noting that tvOS 16.4 is compatible with the Apple TV HD and all three Apple TV 4K generations.

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