macOS 12.4, iOS 15.5 and Co. are not the last releases of the current year. Updates will come before macOS 13 and iOS 16.
Apple just recently delivered macOS 12.4, iOS 15.5 and other new operating systems for its current devices. But before macOS 13, iOS 16 and Co., which are due to appear in autumn, there will be another update. The company has now started distributing pre-release versions of iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, tvOS 15.6, watchOS 8.7 and macOS 12.5 to participants in its developer and public beta programs. A HomePod OS 15.6 is also planned.
Late in the game
The updates are probably once again bug fix updates, so far nothing is known about specific new features . This was also on macOS 12.4, iOS 15.5 and Co. so, whereby Apple at least has the remote control function Universal Control officially released (end of beta phase) and on iOS externally managed reader apps allowed – plus other smaller innovations. However, the most important reason for importing is the numerous closed security gaps.
These should also play an important role again with macOS 12.5, iOS 15.5 and the rest of the updates. It is still unclear whether these are really the last versions of the current year. Apple will officially launch macOS 13, iOS 16, tvOS 16 and watchOS 9 at the WWDC 2022 developer conference on June 6th introduce. A public release can then be expected in September (iOS, iPadOS) or October (macOS).
Typical development cycle
Apple has been pursuing a policy for years in which new main versions of its operating systems appear every 12 months. The group is unlikely to change anything in the foreseeable future at this rate, which not all users and developers are happy about. With macOS, the cycle is usually designed in such a way that a more extensively revised version is followed by a smaller round of improvements. For example, macOS Monterey is considered more stable than macOS Big Sur, which in turn brought a completely new look. What Apple has up its sleeve for macOS 13 is still unclear, the rumor mill is surprisingly calm.
iOS 16 should, among other things, clean up the sometimes confusing notifications, the health app will be rebuilt and the focus mode improved – at least according to known leakers. A major redesign is not expected, but there could be interactive widgets for the first time. Apple is also preparing to the launch of its first AR headset that should interact with the iPhone. In addition, a whole series of improvements in accessibility can be expected , which will also be available for macOS 14 and watchOS 9 – for example, the iPhone recognizes doors and subtitles phone calls and media content.
