iOS 16.2 is here: The most important innovations of the iPhone operating system

Apple has started the rollout of the iPhone operating system iOS. iOS 16.2 is now available for download and introduces the karaoke service Apple Music Sing, among other things. In addition, expect the improvements to the always-on display.

iOS 16.2: The most important innovations

Around three months after the launch of iOS 16, Apple is now launching iOS 16.2, a major update that comes with many innovations and improvements and can be downloaded immediately on iPhone models.

The iPhone 14 Pro (our review) and Pro Max, for example, benefit from an improved always-on display, which can be used to hide the wallpaper and notifications, for example, to display a black screen along with the time and current information. This is a welcome innovation, since the AOD of the new Pro models was a frequent point of criticism.

Also new are widgets for sleep, which show details about sleep quality and stages, and for medications to remind you to take them.

iOS 16.2 brings Apple Music Sing

Also new in iOS 16.2 is the Apple Music Sing karaoke feature, which we introduced to you about a week ago. It will be available to all Apple Music subscribers worldwide. You can use it on all compatible iPhones, iPads and the new Apple TV 4K.

This makes it possible to reduce the volume of the vocals within the songs using AI and then warble the songs yourself. Animated live lyrics are of course also available for singers who are not quite as fluent in lyrics.

New feature in iOS 16.2: Freeform

iOS 16.2 also introduces another brand new feature, which goes by the name Freeform. This is a new app that is intended for creative work with colleagues on Mac, iPad and iPhone.

Apple fans will remember, because the Cupertino-based company already announced Freeform with iPadOS 16. This is basically a digital whiteboard where all employees can share their notes, drawings and the like, as well as add files, web links, documents, videos and audio messages. And all this in real time.

Content is synced via iCloud. Compatible with iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 and macOS 13.1 Ventura is Freeform, which is available as a standalone app starting today. Apple provides an overview of the app’s features on its own news page.

Satellite Internet also launches in Germany

With the new iOS update, the satellite Internet function of the iPhone 14 models is now also activated in Germany. This allows emergency services to be contacted in an emergency, even if no mobile network or WLAN is available.

iOS 16.2 is now available for download under the iPhone settings. The new update weighs around 1.3 gigabytes. Those who are wired deeper into the Apple ecosystem should also check their other devices for updates. iOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, watchOS 9.2 and tvOS 16.2 are also available for download now.