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iOS 16.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.5

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Apple today released iOS 16.5, the fifth major update to the iOS 16 operating system. iOS 16.5 is not as notable as some of the prior updates that we have seen, but there are some important bug fixes and feature additions.

iOS-16.5-Feature.jpg

This guide highlights all of the new features in the iOS 16.5 update.

Sports Tab in Apple News

Apple added a dedicated Sports tab in Apple News, providing sports fans with quick access to stories, scores, standings, and other information. Apple News users can select their favorite teams and leagues to get personalized news.

apple-news-sports-tab.jpg

Tapping on sports score and schedule cards in Apple News now goes directly to game pages populated with additional information about specific games.

Pride Collection Wallpaper

To go along with the new 2023 Pride Apple Watch Band and watch face, Apple has designed a Pride Celebration Lock Screen that is available in the iOS 16.5 update.

pride-wallpaper-ios-16-5.jpg

Bug Fixes

There are a number of bug fixes in the iOS 16.5 update, including fixes for Spotlight, Screen Time, and Podcasts.
  • Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive
  • Addresses an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content
  • Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices

Security Fixes

According to Apple's security support documents for iOS, the iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 updates fix a long list of vulnerabilities, including three security flaws that were known to be actively exploited. Two of these issues were addressed in the prior iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1 Rapid Security Response updates and are not an issue if you were running iOS 16.4.1 (a), but a third vulnerability is still active until you install the new software.

The WebKit security flaw could allow an attacker to break out of the Web Content sandbox, an issue that Apple fixed with improved bounds checks. Apple says that it is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited. The other two WebKit vulnerabilities were related to processing maliciously crafted web content that could allow for the disclosure of sensitive information or arbitrary code execution.

Other Features

Know of an iOS 16.5 feature that we left out of this guide? Let us know in the comments below.

Article Link: iOS 16.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.5
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-16-5-features/
I jumped on this update because I was excited about the new Sports tab in News, but I don't like that the top stories section, which takes up the full display and more, is curated by News editors and is general stories that I don't care about. I was hoping the Sports tabs would be primarily about the teams and sports I follow, not Brett Favre's greed or some story about tennis pushing down what I do care about. Even my Following row shouldn't be taking up space on this screen. Managing that could be hidden or at the bottom.

I would want my teams' scores right at the top, followed with stories about those teams.

Hopefully this will change with an update or when my teams are actually in season.
 
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Baritone_Guy said:
Obligatory, why do we need an OS update for a Sports Tab and some wallpapers. I get it for the security stuff, but relying on an OS update to update apps is so old school.

Come on Apple.
Click to expand...
We probably don’t need an OS update for those, but more users will bother installing the updates and get the security fixes if there’s a feature or emoji, or whatever.
 
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crofford said:
Sure would be nice if they would spend a little bit of time on HomeKit.
Click to expand...

HomeKit just improved for me after I started installing the iOS 16.4 betas and was promoted to update our underlying Home infrastructure.

HomeKit compatible Meross smart plugs that never worked reliably in the Home app but worked well in the Meross app suddenly started working perfectly without delay in both.

Previously I’d have to delete and re-add them to the Home app every couple of weeks, they’d start responding slowly and not properly updating their status in the Home app then they’d stop responding to it at all and only function in the Meross app.

Since the update they work every time and I’ve moved my automations from the Meross app back into the Home app with the automations for my other lights and things work without a hitch. I’ll hang onto the app just for firmware updates since I’m not sure if they self update when using them through the Home app or not.

I also just got a Nest thermostat free from our local power company. I had it installed two days ago and now that the device supports Matter and the Google Home iOS app has been updated to allow you to generate a code to add the thermostat to Home via Matter I’ve been able to generate the code in the Google Home app and add the device to the Apple Home app allowing my wife and I to finally control every smart item we have except for the garage door opener from within the Home app.

Being able to open the garage door with an app was a nice surprise. The garage door that came with the home failed so they put in a new one and it just happens to support WiFi with an app that lets you open or close the door from it. So it was a nice plus but not why I bought it and not something I really use once the novelty wore off since opening the door from the pad only takes a few seconds. It’s open by the time I hop in the car and get buckled up.
 
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