iOS 16.5 is here, with many new features

Apple pushed the iOS 16.4 Beta 1 update last week, removing the access rights of ordinary users to the developer preview system and adding support for message push on Safari web pages.

Recently, foreign media Macrumors reported that evidence was found in the website analysis log that Apple is internally testing the iOS 16.5 system, and said that iOS 16.5 may be the last major version update before Apple announces iOS 17 at WWDC in June.

iOS 16 has arrived in iOS 16.4 version, and there are several new features that were previously announced but not officially launched on the iOS 16 system, including Apple Card savings account, Apple Music Classical application, and iMessage contact key verification security options.

The Apple Pay Later feature previously mentioned at WWDC22 found relevant code in iOS 16.4 Beta 1 released last week and is expected to be launched in subsequent updates of iOS 16.4.

Judging from the time, iOS 16.5 is likely to be the last major version update before the release of iOS 17. After the release of iOS 16.5, Apple is expected to focus on fixing bugs and optimizing the system in the update of iOS 16.

As for iOS 17, from the information currently exposed by the outside world, the main development work of iOS 17 this year is concentrated on AR/VR devices and the new system xrOS. There are still a few months before the release of the new system, and some noteworthy features may be discovered in the future.

Because there are rumors that Apple may be forced by the Digital Markets Act issued by the European Union, iOS 17 will develop third-party store permissions to provide users with more choices, but this is not what Apple fans expect.

iOS 17 will add Apple's next-generation CarPlay, which will provide deeper integration with vehicle features such as A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays on the dashboard, increased personalization, etc. Apple has said that the first cars equipped with the next-generation CarPlay will be released in late 2023, and the promised brands include Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, etc.

From this we can see that this year's iOS 17 may be the system with the least changes in recent years.

At the WWDC23 conference in June, what is worth looking forward to is Apple’s first AR/VR device. At this stage, Apple’s research and development process for AR/VR devices has become highly mature, and it is expected to release new products and new systems at the WWDC in June.

In addition, Apple recently suddenly closed the verification channel for iOS/iPadOS 15.6 RC version, which also means that the verification channel for the last version of iOS/iPadOS 15 has also been closed. iPhone/iPad users are completely unable to downgrade from iOS/iPadOS 16 to iOS/iPadOS 15.

The iOS 15.6 RC version was released in mid-October of the year. As of the day before yesterday, Apple had not closed the verification channel for this system. Therefore, if you upgraded to iOS 16 before, you could downgrade back to iOS 15.6 RC version if you regret it. However, starting from yesterday, you can no longer downgrade it.

Currently, the latest official version of iOS 16 is 16.3.1. Apple is testing the iOS 16.4 version, and the official version is expected to be released in March to April.