iOS 16 beta 3 introduces several new changes and enhancements. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple is continuing with the iOS 16 beta releases as it prepares the OS for its public launch later this fall. With iOS 16 beta 3 now available, here is a look at all the new changes and improvements it incorporates.
And for iPad users, the more important iPadOS 16 beta 3 changes are also included.
Plus, if you missed the changes in beta 2, they are archived below.
Lockdown Mode is designed to offer an extreme, optional protection for the very small number of users who face grave, targeted threats to their digital security. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
A new hyper-secure Lockdown Mode should help protect the iPhones, iPads and Macs of journalists, politicians and activists who face “highly targeted cyberattacks from private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware,” Apple said Wednesday.
The new security measure is only for extreme cases, though, because it blocks commonly used features of messaging and web browsing.
Not all iOS 16 features will be available on release day. Photo: Ed Hardy/Rajesh
Not all new iOS 16 features will arrive on day one when the operating system launches this fall. A handful of them will come later, after Apple has had a chance to polish them and get them ready for prime time.
iOS 16 will put your unlimited mobile data plan to good use. Photo: Apple
With iOS 16, you can back up your iPhone to iCloud over a 4G LTE network. The feature is a part of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 beta 2. It should also make its way to the final public release later this year.
Apple currently requires you to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network and a power source for an iCloud Backup to occur.
Apple users may be freed from CAPTCHA. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple developed Automatic Verification to let iPhone, Mac and iPad users bypass those irritating CAPTCHA image tests that websites use to confirm that someone is a human and not a bot.
The Stage Manager controversy refuses to die. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Code in iPadOS 16 indicates Apple has an internal mode to enable the upcoming Stage Manager multitasking feature on older A-series iPads.
Stage Manager aims to improve the multitasking experience on iPads by adding floating, resizable app windows and other features that make the tablets more like Macs. However, Apple’s decision to keep the feature exclusive to iPads with M1 chips has caused quite a bit of controversy.
Stage Manager is going to get better in upcoming iPadOS 16 betas Screenshot: Apple
Stage Manager is undoubtedly one of the key new features in iPadOS 16. However, its M1 iPad exclusivity has irked a lot of users despite Apple explaining the technical reason behind this.
Craig Federighi, SVP of Apple’s software development efforts, has shared more insight into Stage Manager limitations.
Improved Files and Mail apps are just a couple of the great new iPadOS 16 features coming to non-M1 iPads. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
There’s more to iPadOS 16 than floating app windows. The Files app gets some significant improvements in the upcoming upgrade. There’s a Weather app and great new features in the Mail and Messages apps. Plus, you can hand off a FaceTime call between your Apple computers.
These enhancements are available to every iPad that supports iPadOS 16, which is currently in developer beta. So don’t think there’s nothing coming this fall for tablets without an Apple M1 processor. That’s just not true.
There was so much info to plow through at WWDC22, no wonder Apple software chief Craig Federighi was running like the wind. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: iOS 16 … iPadOS 16 … macOS Ventura … watchOS 9…. We’re racing as fast as we can through all Apple’s WWDC22 keynote revelations, but we’re gonna need a longer show. It’s our WWDC22 recap!
Also on The CultCast:
How about that super-skinny new MacBook Air?
And the blazing-fast new M2 chip that powers it?
Next-gen CarPlay looks like a total cockpit takeover.
What happened to Apple’s AR/VR headset?!?
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
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You can't have iPadOS 16's Stage Manager multitasking system without one of the capabilities of the M1 processor. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Many of the best features of iPadOS 16 like Stage Manager are only coming to the M1 iPads. This angered a lot of non-M1 iPad users since they believe Apple is intentionally trying to limit the feature to newer devices.
The company has now provided an in-depth technical explanation behind Stage Manager not coming to older iPads.