Today, Apple released a new iPhone software update. However, the new iOS 16.1.2 was not made available alongside updates to Apple’s other operating systems, such as macOS or watchOS, unlike many of its prior iOS releases.
According to Apple’s release notes, iOS 16.1.2 primarily enhances the Crash Detection feature on the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. It also improves compatibility with unnamed wireless carriers.
Apple has yet to describe the kinds of optimizations we’re talking about explicitly. For example, the newly integrated Crash Detection feature can alert emergency personnel when the phone’s internal sensors identify that you’ve been in a car accident. Apple created algorithms that seek to correctly identify crashes by analyzing a range of data from the phone’s sensors (such as the accelerometer and G-force sensors) and other aspects like microphone activity.
Some users have expressed dissatisfaction that the algorithm is activated by events other than auto accidents, particularly rollercoaster rides at amusement parks. However, it needs to be clarified if iOS 16.1.2’s optimizations actually fix those problems or if they are merely designed to improve the algorithm in different circumstances.
It’s thought that the upcoming iOS upgrade will be much more substantial. For example, sports scores will be integrated with Live Activities in iOS 16.2, enabling users to view real-time score updates for specific sporting events on their lock screen or in the Dynamic Island on their iPhone 14 Pro. Additionally, it will support 5G in India and contain Apple’s brand-new Freeform visual note-taking app, lock screen widgets for tracking sleep and medication, and extra always-on lock screen customizations for the iPhone 14 Pro.
Here are Apple’s brief release notes for version 16.1.2 in the interim:
The following improvements and crucial security upgrades are included in this version for your iPhone:
- Enhanced compatibility with mobile carriers
- Optimizations for crash detection on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro versions.
The release of such an update is anticipated for December.
