Tag: Matter

Apple now releases beta 4 for upcoming OS updates. As with previous beta – no corresponding Xcode beta version is released, and no notable changes are reported.

Beware! There are reports that macOS 13.4 Ventura beta 4 seem to work incorrectly with network content filters installed preventing network access.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS & iPadOS 16.5 Beta 4 Release Notes
• macOS Ventura 13.4 Beta 4 Release Notes
• watchOS 9.5 Beta 4 Release Notes
• tvOS 16.5 Beta 4 Release Notes

Reference: PSA: Latest macOS Ventura 13.4 Beta Doesn't Play Nice With Content Filter Apps

Apple releases second beta for iOS/iPad 16.5, macOS 13.4, watchOS 9.5 and tvOS 16.5. No corresponding Xcode beta is published.

New beta seem to be focused on administrator users and Matter support in Home app.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS & iPadOS 16.5 Beta 2 Release Notes
• macOS Ventura 13.4 Beta 2 Release Notes
• watchOS 9.5 Beta 2 Release Notes
• tvOS 16.5 Beta 2 Release Notes

Philips Hue postpones plans to support Matter for their devices til the end of 2023. According to their messaging, firmware update for Hue Bridge takes more time that it was initially expected.

Eve on the other hand announces Matter firmware availability on April 17. And currently Eve already started selling accessories supporting Matter.

Matter smart home standard simplifies hardware development and unifies APIs between multiple smart home solutions. Matter is industry standard which is adopted by multiple venders including Apple. Home app and HomeKit support Matter accessories starting with iOS 16.1.

References:

• Philips Hue Bridge Matter Support Update Appears to Have Been Delayed
• Eve announces Matter firmware upgrades are coming on April 17 for a more reliable HomeKit experience
• Eve Starts Selling Matter-Enabled Smart Home Devices

Apple releases iOS/iPadOS 16.4, macOS Ventura 13.3, watchOS 9.4 and tvOS 16.4. HomePod software is also updated to 16.4. Apple also released Studio Display firmware update.

Xcode 14.3 receives RC 2.

Apple also releases iOS/iPadOS 15.7.4, macOS Monterey 12.6.4 and macOS Big Sur 11.7.5 with security fixes.

iOS

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

• 21 new emoji including animals, hand gestures, and objects are now available in emoji keyboard
• Notifications for web apps added to the Home Screen
• Voice Isolation for cellular calls prioritizes your voice and blocks out ambient noise around you
• Duplicates album in Photos expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library
• VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app
• Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected
• Fixes an issue where Ask to Buy requests from children may fail to appear on the parent's device
• Addresses issues where Matter-compatible thermostats could become unresponsive when paired to Apple Home
• Crash Detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models

iPadOS

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

• 21 new emoji including animals, hand gestures, and objects are now available in emoji keyboard
• Apple Pencil hover adds tilt and azimuth support so you can preview your mark at any angle before you make it in Notes and supported apps on iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
• Notifications for web apps added to the Home Screen
• Duplicates album in Photos expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library
• VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app
• Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected
• Fixes an issue with Apple Pencil responsiveness that may occur while drawing or writing in the Notes app
• Fixes an issue where Ask to Buy requests from children may fail to appear on the parent's device
• Addresses issues where Matter-compatible thermostats could become unresponsive when paired to Apple Home

macOS

This update includes new emoji along with other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.

• 21 new emoji including animals, hand gestures, and objects are now available in emoji keyboard
• Remove background option in Freeform automatically isolates the subject in your image
• Photos duplicates album expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library
• Transliteration support for Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu keyboards
• New keyboard layouts for Choctaw, Chickasaw, Akan, Hausa, and Yoruba
• Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected
• VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app
• Resolves an issue where Trackpad gestures may occasionally stop responding
• Fixes an issue where Ask to Buy requests from children may fail to appear on the parent's device
• Addresses an issue where VoiceOver may be unresponsive after using Finder

watchOS

watchOS 9.4 includes improvements to Apple Watch and brings features to new regions. 

• Wake-up alarms are no longer silenced with cover to mute gesture to avoid accidental cancellations during sleep
• Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates and cycle deviation alerts now supported in Moldova and Ukraine
• AFib History now available in Colombia, Malaysia, Moldova, Thailand, and Ukraine

Beta download: Applications

References:

• Apple Releases iOS and iPadOS 16.4 with New Emoji, Notifications for Web Apps on the Home Screen, Voice Isolation for Cellular Calls, New Shortcuts Actions, and More
• WebKit Features in Safari 16.4
• Apple Releases Studio Display Firmware Update
• iOS 16.4 Expands iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite to Six More Countries
• Apple releases tvOS 16.4 with new ‘Dim Flashing Lights’ feature
• iOS 16.4 is now available, with a lot of user-facing updates
• iOS 16.4 Includes New Apple Podcasts App Features Across iPhone and CarPlay
• iOS 16.4 Adds Order Tracking Widget, Lets You Share Order Information
• Apple releases Studio Display firmware update with new ‘Pro Display’ feature
• PSA: Make Sure to Update Older Devices to iOS 15.7.4 to Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerability
• iOS 15.7.4, macOS Monterey 12.6.4, macOS Big Sur 11.7.5 all get security updates
• Apple releases security notes for iOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4, macOS Ventura 13.3
• iOS 16.4 Adds Support for PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge Wireless Controller
• iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4
• iOS 16.4 and macOS 13.3 Gain Multiple New Shortcut Action Options

Apple publishes first beta for iOS/iPadOS 16.4, macOS Ventura 13.3, watchOS 9.4, tvOS 16.4. This time operating systems are accompanied by Xcode 14.3 beta.

Developers will now be able to enable developer beta from Software Update on iPhones and iPads.

Apart from that new beta versions add support for more emojis.

iOS 16.4 brings support for Web Push to Apple's mobile devices.

A web app that has been added to the Home Screen can request permission to receive push notifications as long as that request is in response to direct user interaction -- such as tapping on a 'subscribe' button provided by the web app. iOS or iPadOS will prompt the user to give the web app permission to send notifications. The user can then manage those permissions per web app in Notifications Settings -- just like any other app on iPhone and iPad.

WebKit team

Also this beta works on Matter support for Apple platforms including Apple TV.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS & iPadOS 16.4 Beta Release Notes
• watchOS 9.4 Beta Release Notes
• tvOS 16.4 Beta Release Notes
• macOS Ventura 13.3 Beta Release Notes
• Xcode 14.3 Beta Release Notes

WebKit Blog: Web Push for Web Apps on iOS and iPadOS

Reference:

• iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 Betas Add Support for Web Push Notifications
• iOS 16.4 Beta Adds New Emoji Like Donkey, Jellyfish, Pink Heart, Hyacinth, Ginger, Goose, Shaking Face and More

Following announcements on new Mac hardware Apple today announces update to HomePod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMf_i1YBuMk

Second generation HomePod gets S7 chip, UWB, temperature and humidity sensors. HomePod also gets Matter smart home standard support.

HomePod second generation follows design of original smart speaker while getting sound quality improvements too. However, it is noted that original HomePod could not be combined as stereo pair with second generation.

HomePod mini apparently also has temperature and humidity sensors. And those will be enabled with upcoming software update.

Sound Recognition feature comes to both new HomePod and HomePod mini to listen for smoke alarms in the house.

Apple Newsroom: Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and intelligence

References:

• Apple Announces Second-Generation HomePod
• Apple unveils new full-size HomePod with refined design, new color, $299 price, more
• PSA: HomePod stereo pairs won’t work between first and second-gen speakers
• New HomePod & existing HomePod mini have temperature sensors
• Both HomePod and HomePod Mini Now Feature Temperature and Humidity Sensor
• HomePod mini software update will activate hidden sensor and Sound Recognition feature
• New HomePod Can't Be Stereo Paired With First-Generation HomePod
• Apple Expanding Sound Recognition Feature to New HomePod and HomePod Mini With Software Update Later This Year
• HomePod (2nd Generation)

Following recent RC Apple now releases iOS/iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1 Ventura, watchOS 9.2 and tvOS 16.2. Xcode 14.2 is also released.

HomePodOS received corresponding update (which is required for Home updates and Matter support).

Apple also releases security bug fixes for previous OS releases - iOS 15 and macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey.

This update brings several important updates:

• iCloud Advanced Data Protection;
• Support for Rapid Security Responses;
• Freeform application;
• Apple Music Sing;
• New Apple Watch workout modes;
• Apple Home reliability improvements;
• iPadOS external display support.

Apple Newsroom: Apple launches Freeform: a powerful new app designed for creative collaboration

References:

• iOS 16.2 rolling out today with Apple Music Sing, Freeform app, much more
• Apple Releases New HomePod 16.2 Software
• Apple Releases iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 With Freeform, Apple Music Sing, Advanced Data Protection and More
• Apple Releases watchOS 9.2 With Outdoor Workout Improvements, Crash Detection Optimizations, Noise App Tweaks and More
• Apple Releases tvOS 16.2 with Apple Music Sing, TV App Tweaks and More
• iPadOS 16.2 and Stage Manager for External Displays: Work in Progress, But Worth the Wait
• Apple Releases macOS Ventura 13.1 With Freeform, Advanced Data Protection, Find My Improvements and More
• Freeform Leverages the Freedom and Flexibility of a Blank Canvas
• Apple's Advanced Data Protection feature is here - what you need to know
• iPadOS 16.2 brings these improvements for Stage Manager, plus AirTag tracking alerts
• Hands on with Apple's Freeform collaborative brainstorming app
• watchOS 9.2 now available for Apple Watch; here’s everything new
• iOS 16.2 patches over a dozen security vulnerabilities, iOS 15.7.2 also available with fixes
• Apple Music launches collection of playlists with songs perfect for ‘Sing’ karaoke feature
• iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2
• macOS 13.1
• iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 Fix Over 30 Security Vulnerabilities
• Xcode 14.2 released with support for iOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1
• Xcode 14.2 Release
• Apple Watch Ultra gains battery improvement with watchOS 9.2 and Multisport workouts
• New Apple Music Sing Playlists Now Available in iOS 16.2
• 9to5Mac Daily: December 13, 2022 – Everything new in iOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, and more
• iOS 16.2 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.2

Apple publishes updates to App Store Review Guidelines. This time updates cover multiple areas:

• Clarify how to provide access to app features for review;
• Add details on prohibited apps;
• Clarify Matter support requirements;
• Clarify NFT and cryptocurrency usage;
• Allow advertisement management apps not to use In-app purchases;
• Clarify Apple Music usage within apps.

Apple also notified developers of these changes via email.

Apple Developer:

• App Store Review Guidelines
• App Store Review Guideline updates now available

Apple publishes iOS 16.1 beta 4, iPadOS 16 beta 11, macOS 13 Ventura beta 10, watchOS 9.1 beta 4. No new Xcode beta is published yet.

iOS 16.1 brings support for Matter home device standard.

New iOS 16.1 beta also removes Adaptive Transparency for older AirPods Pro switch in settings, confirming that this was an error.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS 16.1 Beta 4 Release Notes
• iPadOS 16 Beta 11 Release Notes
• macOS 13 Ventura Beta 10 Release Notes
• watchOS 9.1 Beta 4 Release Notes
• tvOS 16.1 Beta 4 Release Notes

References:

• Apple-backed Matter smart home standard officially launches as iOS 16.1 adds support
• Matter Smart Home Standard Officially Launches, Support Could Come in iOS 16.1
• Latest iOS 16.1 Beta Removes Adaptive Transparency Toggle for Original AirPods Pro, Confirming Bug
• iOS 16.1 beta 4 removes ‘Adaptive Transparency’ toggle for older AirPods Pro and Max
• Ventura adds dynamic wallpaper and new screensaver as macOS 13 readies for release