Apple confirms iOS 16.1 release date with various changes and improvements
Earlier this week, Apple outlined a release date for iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, covered separately. Subsequently, the company has informed 9to5Mac that it plans to ship iOS 16.1 simultaneously. Hence, Apple is currently working towards distributing the first major iOS update on October 24.
Based on recent beta builds, iOS 16.1 introduces several new features, including Live Activities and its accompanying API. Theoretically, Live Activities should improve productivity by displaying dynamic notifications on your lock screen, such as the expected arrival time of a food delivery. Additionally, iOS 16.1 enables Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard for cross-platform accessory compatibility. Moreover, the OS update allows people to delete Apple Wallet, should you not need this feature.
Separately, iOS 16.1 tweaks the battery percentage icon with a dynamic element and opens eligibility to the iPhone XR, iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini. Furthermore, Apple has enabled 'Clean Energy Charging', supposedly to decrease your carbon footprint by maximising the use of cleaner energy sources. Finally, Apple has integrated a shared photo library within iCloud. Undoubtedly, there will be more features that people will only discover once Apple rolls out iOS 16.1 next week to the iPhone 8 series onwards.
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