iOS 15.4 beta 1 is out: these iPhone features are coming
This week Apple released iOS 15.3 and now there is already reason to look ahead to the next major interim update. The new features of iOS 15.4 are known, and there are many!
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iOS 15.4 beta 1
Apple just released the developer beta (a test version) of iOS 15.4, so we already know what the next major interim update to iOS 15 will bring. And while there was nothing new under the sun with iOS 15.3, the next update has a lot to offer. These are the new features of iOS 15.4.
1. Face ID with mouth cap
In iOS 15.4, there is an option to unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask. The facial recognition technique then uses the area around your eyes to recognize your face. Apple warns that it makes Face ID a little less secure, but many people will be happy that the option is coming.
Unfortunately, you need a relatively new iPhone: an iPhone 12 (Pro) or iPhone 13 (Pro). Face ID with a mouth cap does not work on older devices. The option also works with glasses, but not with sunglasses. Face ID with a face mask can also be used to make payments with Appel Pay.
2. New Emojis
iOS updates in the spring often bring new emojis, including iOS 15.4. The beta supports Emoji 14.0, which brings the iPhone 37 new emojis.
New emojis include melting face, finger peeking emoji, salute emoji, dotted line emoji, giggling emoji, greeting emoji, diagonal mouth emoji, crying emoji of luck, a troll, a pregnant man and more.
Many hand gestures are also added, such as hands making the heart gesture, a hand with the index finger and thumb crossed and a hand pointing at the viewer. Also found in the new emoji dictionary: a mouth with sensual lip biting, a nest with eggs, an empty nest, a lotus flower, playground slide, lifebuoy, empty battery, X-ray, bubbles and ID card.
3. Turn off notifications in Assignments
The Assignments app lets you automate all kinds of tasks. For example, you can set the iPhone to automatically open the Flitsmeister app when you’re in the car, or to switch on the lights when you roll out of bed.
By default, you’ll get a notification on your iPhone screen when Commands comes into play, but as of iOS 15.4, there’s the option to turn this off. If you are working on a ‘Personal automation’ in the Assignments app, you can choose not to receive a notification when a task is activated. To see the option, Ask before executing must be turned off.
4. Note on password
iCloud Keychain is getting a little more expansive again. There is an option to add a note to each password. You do this in the Settings app, under ‘Passwords’. Tap an account and choose Add Notes.
5. Third-party apps with 120 Hz
The new iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max have a screen that can refresh very quickly: up to 120 Hz. That’s twice as fast as the other iPhone models. Apple apps can handle the refresh technique well, but third-party apps don’t fully support it yet.
According to Apple, this was due to a Core Animation bug that will be fixed in a future update. It seems that iOS 15.4 is that update.
In apps that support SharePlay, there is an option to activate SharePlay directly from the Share pane. To do this, tap the green SharePlay button and invite someone. SharePlay lets you share your screen via FaceTime, so you can watch an episode of Apple TV+ together, for example, or listen to music from Apple Music at the same time.
7. Universal Control
Universal Controls is a feature that should have appeared in iPadOS 15, but has been delayed. In version 15.4, the feature seems to be finally making its entrance. With Universal Controls, you can use your MacBook’s keyboard and mouse cursor to control other iPads and Macs that are signed in with the same iCloud account.
The feature is enabled by default if you have an iPad with iPadOS 15.4 and a Mac with macOS Monterey 12.3.
