Apple Now Testing iOS 16.5 Internally as One of Final Updates Before iOS 17

[MacRumors]

Apple ramped up testing of iOS 16.5 internally this month, according to mounting evidence of the update in our website's analytics logs. iOS 16.5 will likely be one of the last notable updates before Apple announces iOS 17 at WWDC in June.

It's unclear what features will be introduced with iOS 16.5, but the wait continues for some previously-announced features, including the Apple Card savings account, Apple Music Classical app, and iMessage Contact Key Verification security option. Apple Pay Later is also coming soon, but is expected to be enabled with a server-side update.

As for iOS 17, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week said he has yet to hear about "anything especially game-changing" planned for the iPhone, but the update is still months away and there could still be some notable features uncovered.

iOS 17 will introduce Apple's next generation of CarPlay, which will offer deeper integration with vehicle functions like the A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, increased personalization, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay would be announced in late 2023, with committed brands including Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others.

iOS 17 is also expected to allow alternative app stores on the iPhone in Europe, as required by the Digital Markets Act. Gurman previously reported that the change would be implemented by mid-2024 as part of a later version of iOS 17.

In the meantime, Apple has made the first iOS 16.4 beta available to developers and public testers. The update includes a range of new emoji, support for web push notifications, Podcasts app improvements, and a change that will prevent iPhone users from getting access to the iOS 17 developer beta for free when it becomes available.

WWDC typically begins in early June. At the weeklong developers conference, Apple will also announce macOS 14, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, and reportedly the realityOS/xrOS operating system for Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset.

Article Link: Apple Now Testing iOS 16.5 Internally as One of Final Updates Before iOS 17

 

[dantracht]

Still waiting for the HomeKit fixes, Apple. My HomePods turn their lonely sensors to you.

 

[orbital~debris]

Article Link: Apple Now Testing iOS 16.5 Internally as One of Final Updates Before iOS 17

The One Update to rule them all?

 

[riverfreak]

Still waiting for the HomeKit fixes, Apple. My HomePods turn their lonely sensors to you.

Simon and Garfunkel are rolling over in their graves.

 

[dantracht]

Simon and Garfunkel are rolling over in their graves.

Neither are in their graves, but I digress.

 

[riverfreak]

Neither are in their graves, but I digress.

Sorry, it’s late in the evening.

 

[dantracht]

Sorry, it’s late in the evening.

You can call me Al.

 

[compwiz1202]

The One Update to rule them all?

Or is it the Neo Update?

 

[murad_fourth]

Deleted.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Anyone here not excited for iOS 17 at all this year?

 

[xpxp2002]

Still waiting for the HomeKit fixes, Apple. My HomePods turn their lonely sensors to you.

No developer time for that. Gotta push out a redundant music app for a genre nobody listens to and FinTech loan shark integration into Apple Wallet.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Life feels too short when measured by iOS versions.

 

[contacos]

My prediction is that iOS 17 will be mostly bug fixes and some "US only features" while the iPadOS is going to play catch up by getting the new Lockscreen introduced on iOS 16

 

[PhantomStar]

Anyone here not excited for iOS 17 at all this year?

At this point, there's nothing to be excited about.

 

[sw1tcher]

As for iOS 17, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week said he has yet to hear about "anything especially game-changing" planned for the iPhone, but the update is still months away and there could still be some notable features uncovered.

Hoping Apple uses iOS 17 to focus on stability and optimizations

 

[Octavius8]

Seems my last IOS update. Hello Android?.
Better digital assistant, dial pad that works, speed is OK by now in a S23, fingerprint reader on-screen, same bug level as in Apple ecosystem, really, not much differential value in IPhones nowadays. ;(

 

[thejadedmonkey]

My prediction is that iOS 17 will be mostly bug fixes and some "US only features" while the iPadOS is going to play catch up by getting the new Lockscreen introduced on iOS 16

God I hope not. The iOS 16 lock screen is just horrid.

 

[Marbles1]

Apple Music Classical is probably going to be the next big app or feature that'll keep me subscribed to Apple Music -if it's done well. I'm increasingly listening to less new music and more interested in stuff I haven't heard which is new to me.

I'm hoping for a beautifully curated guide and library of 'classical' music, catalogued by era, with detailed information and context of the composition as well as about the orchestras that have performed it, the conductors etc.

Ideally it would provide an introduction for _complete_ beginners with the option to go as deep as you want to. Please don't disappoint me apple!

 

[Octavius8]

How about fixing the HIDEOUS bug where the notifications appear squared and then change to rounded edges since a couple of releases?. Is it a RAM issue?. Does not Tim uses an IPhone???????!!!

 

[ss2cire]

Anyone here not excited for iOS 17 at all this year?

As a user, not so much. As a developer, I'm almost always excited to see what APIs Apple brings. I think we should all be excited though, maybe this is a turning point in the fact that we haven't been able to gather much information via rumors and we'll be surprised as to what Apple announces at WWDC.

Though this is a rumors site so... I guess that's one thing that helps people to get excited... again we shall see.

 

[jarvisss]

On a 13Pro rocking 15.5, have no plans to update software again on any iPhone. Soon as you do they slow it down to "preserve battery life"....yeah ok

 

[CarAnalogy]

At this point, there's nothing to be excited about.

I don’t want it to be exciting. I just want them to refine all the features they’ve been rushing out the last several years.

 

[anthogag]

Anyone here not excited for iOS 17 at all this year?

I am not not excited, E = m * not^2

 

[anthogag]

I hope iOS 17 has great new features. More cool picture editing features. Use LIDAR to scan rooms and objects from the Camera app. Use flashlight as illumination source in a picture. Change filename in Photos...

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Anyone here not excited for iOS 17 at all this year?

I'm concerned that quite a few bugs will move over to iOS17 from iOS16. They have yet to fix some issues that have been around for awhile and they're running out of time. I personally hope iOS17 is more like iOS12 and concentrates on performance and stability.