Apple is now distributing inaugural public beta builds for iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4 and macOS Ventura 13.3. For reference, these builds will be unavailable to most devices unless they have been explicitly enrolled on Apple’s Beta Software Program. While Apple will eventually release iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4 and macOS Ventura 13.3 to its stable software development branch, the company only recently issued iOS 16.3.1, iPadOS 16.3.1 and macOS Ventura 13.2.1.
Apple has not described any of the changes made in iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4 and macOS Ventura 13.3 Beta 1 builds. However, the likes of 9to5Mac and MacRumors have discovered many new features, including 31 new emojis based on the Unicode standard’s Emoji 5.0 recommendations. As the image below shows, some of the new emojis include colourful hearts, a comb, a jellyfish and a ginger root. Additionally, Apple has added push notification support for web apps within iOS and iPadOS. For context, macOS already natively supports this functionality.
Moreover, the built-in Podcasts app has received some refinements, such as a new Channels menu, additional tabs within CarPlay and more content shown in the ‘Up Next’ queue. Apple has also added an option within system settings to switch between public and developer beta builds or disable beta builds altogether. Typically, Apple releases a few betas before finalising changes for its stable software distribution channel. There is no word yet on when Apple will move iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4 and macOS Ventura 13.3 to stable status, though.
Prior to writing and translating for Notebookcheck, I worked for various companies including Apple and Neowin. I have a BA in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds, which I have since converted to a Law Degree. Happy to chat on Twitter or Notebookchat.
