Changes in iOS 16.1 beta 3 include new iPhone features such as live action for live sports scores and a demonstration of the iPhone 14’s satellite connectivity feature.
iOS 16.1 Features, Changes and Fixes
- What is happening? Apple yesterday released the third beta of what will be the iOS 16.1 software update, which has several changes and feature fixes.
- Why care? Because iOS 16.1 will fix some of the widely reported teething issues that plagued early adopters.
- What to do? Wait a little longer as Apple plans to release iOS 16.1 and other OS updates in October to play around with the new iOS 16.1 features.
1. More elegant wallpaper UI in settings.
Apple has tied a few ends when it comes to the interface for selecting wallpapers in Settings → Wallpaper. In the third iOS 16.1 beta, this interface has become noticeably more responsive and provides some additional features. For example, you can now switch between multiple lock screens with a swipe, and create new ones right there without going to the actual lock screen.
2. Live Activity for live sports results
The Live Activity feature promises to constantly update real-time information on the lock screen so you can do things like check your sports scores or get package delivery updates without launching the app.
If you’ve installed iOS 16.1 beta 3, go to the TV app and follow a few games listed to get real-time updates with the lock screen widget. On iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, live action will also be displayed in Dynamic Island.
Apple said Live Activity will support NBA and Premier League games for users in the US and Canada, and MLB games for users in the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea. Read: How to install different wallpaper for lock and home screen in iOS 16
Okay, this is definitely my favorite feature of Dynamic Island at the moment. Live sports results available in iOS 16.1 beta.
Go to the Apple TV app, find the game, and click to subscribe. pic.twitter.com/fVmusXFv2f
— Paul Bradford (@paulandtech) September 18, 2022
3. Customize content in the app for the App Store
iOS 16.1 beta has a new option in the App Store settings. If you go to Settings → App Store, you’ll see a brand new toggle labeled “In-App Content”.
It’s enabled by default, and Apple says this setting will automatically launch new apps in the background to download content before they’re first launched (not to be confused with the “Background App Refresh”setting, which periodically fetches new app data in the background after the app has been launched for the first time).
4. The Matter Accessories option has been temporarily removed.
The industry’s biggest players, including Apple, have created a standard, dubbed Matter, that should improve how smart home appliances work together, whether a customer invests in the Apple, Google, or Amazon ecosystem.
Apple has said Matter support will be included in a future iOS 16 update. However, this option doesn’t seem to be ready yet because iOS 16.1 beta 3 removed the “Matter Accessories”entry from Settings → General.
This option will be re-introduced at a later stage when Apple fixes the flaws.
5. YouTube Picture-in-Picture error fix.
iOS 16.1 Beta 3 contains fixes for a known issue with YouTube’s Picture-in-Picture feature. Previously, you would get a blank video in the picture-in-picture overlay instead of the actual video. Now it’s fixed.
6. Updated visual effects for new focus modes.
iOS 16 brings new focus options, such as tying focus to a specific lock screen. In iOS 16.1 Beta 3, the new focus modes in Settings → Focus show updated visuals.
7. SOS emergency call code via satellite
The iPhone 14 family uses a new Qualcomm chip that can connect to communications satellites in low Earth orbit. This allows you to send text messages to emergency services and seek help in areas where there is no cell service or Wi-Fi.
Now Apple has said the feature will arrive in November – indeed, the third iOS 16.1 beta appears to have added support code for satellite communications.
8. Satellite Connectivity Demo for iPhone 14 Users
The use of the new Emergency SOS feature via satellite will be free for the first two years. After that, you’ll need to subscribe, though Apple has yet to reveal pricing information. To prevent people from trying this feature with fake emergency calls, iOS 16.1 beta 3 introduced a demo of the SOS emergency call via satellite.
A demo available in Settings → Emergency SOS when Satellite on iPhone 14 launches in November will teach you how to connect to satellite in an emergency, which requires a clear view of the sky to improve reception.
iPadOS 16 beta 10 brings Stage Manager to iPad without M1
In addition to iOS 16.1 beta 3, Apple has also released iPadOS 16 beta 10 to developers, as well as the ninth beta of macOS 13 and the third beta of watchOS 9.1.
As we mentioned earlier, iPadOS 16.0 will not be released publicly as Apple is focusing on iPadOS 16.1 with important Stage Manager changes.
In the tenth beta of iPadOS 16, Stage Manager is finally working on other iPads with older chipsets, starting with the 2018 third-generation iPad Pro, which uses the A12 Bionic chip. Further iPadOS betas will allow Stage Manager to work even on older iPads, albeit with fewer features available.
However, Stage Manager will not support external displays on the iPad at the initial launch of the feature – Apple needs more time to resolve bugs when using Stage Manager on an external display.
Looks like Apple is setting up Apple Music Classical in the backend now pic.twitter.com/LoWW6mHQLT
— Aaron (@aaronp613) September 28, 2022
When will iOS 16.1 be released publicly?
Apple has said that iOS 16.1 will be released sometime in October. The company is expected to hold another keynote in October to announce new hardware such as updated Apple silicon computers, the next iPad Pro and more. If history is to be believed, iOS 16.1 will be released alongside iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura days before the new devices hit stores.
In addition to the aforementioned changes in Beta 3, iOS 16.1 will bring other new features as well. For example, the battery percentage indicator will be available on all compatible iPhones, including iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 13 mini. You can remove the default Wallet app if you don’t need it.