Keeping your devices updated is essential from a security standpoint, but you sometimes also get some neat features to go along with it. Apple’s iOS 16.4 brings all that and more, bundling important fixes with some nice quality-of-life updates and a bit of fun thrown in.
Apple security fixes
Let’s begin with the big stuff. Apple’s iOS 16.4 brings 32 security fixes, including several flaws that allow attackers to take over your device.
Here are some highlights:
Fixed a privacy issue where an app may be able to access information about a user’s contacts.
Fixed an issue where importing a malicious calendar invitation may send out your information.
Apps can no longer read sensitive location information via the Find My tool.
Photos belonging to the Hidden Photos Album can no longer be viewed without authentication through Visual Lookup.
Apps can no longer create unexpected bookmarks on the Home Screen.
Other fixes and improvements
Not every flaw is as threatening as a vulnerability. Here are some other issues that have been fixed, along with excellent improvements.
Your voice is prioritized over ambient noise during calls.
The Duplicates album in the Photos app now detects duplicate photos and videos in iCloud Shared Photo Libraries.
VoiceOver support added to the Weather app.
An accessibility setting was added to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected.
Fixed 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 was optimized on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models.
More emojis
The update also brings new emojis, including what Emojipedia calls one of the most “discussed absences on the emoji keyboard’: A plain pink heart. Were people missing it that much?
Update alert! New Windows 10 and Windows 11 fixes live
Patch Tuesday is a common practice among tech companies, accumulating updates and releasing them on the second Tuesday of every month. This doesn’t mean we won’t see updates at other times.
This 2-in-1 olive oil sprayer (20% off, under $10) saves you money and cleanup time and won’t gum up your pans like Pam.
These reading glasses look stylish while you stare at the daily crossword for two hours. Way better than the generic ones from the drugstore.
Ditch harsh ceiling lights and bask in the glow of a sunset lamp for under $20. Right now, it’s 33% off and you’ll get another 5% off if you click the coupon box.
Stop hovering over the stove, waiting for the water to boil. Use this fast-heating electric kettle (14% off) instead.
The Clean Ball (20% off) rolls around inside your purse or bag to catch all the nasty stuff, like the granola bar crumbs you keep ignoring.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
The thing we all do the most in Google Chrome just got a lot faster
Despite Google’s reputation for privacy invasion, Chrome is the most popular web browser out there. Google developers are constantly working towards improvements and features to keep it that way.
Edge vs. Chrome: Is Microsoft's web browser really faster?
If you’re a regular user of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers, we have some good news for you. New improvements were recently rolled out for the Edge browser and updates are in the works for Chrome, and we think you’re going to like the changes quite a bit.
Tech how-to: Roll back to a previous version of Windows 10
Windows offers updates to improve security and sometimes to introduce new features or app improvements. Unfortunately, some of the more recent Windows 10 updates have been less than stellar.
Despite the latest issues, the NSA has urged users to ensure they keep up with Windows updates. Tap or click here to see what the NSA had to say. But what if the latest update breaks your machine? Suddenly programs aren’t working and things are glitching out. Now what?
