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Apple today released iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 to the public after more than a month of testing, and the update is a big one that adds a number of important new features. You'll want to upgrade right away for the new additions and for important bug fixes.

We've outlined all of the changes that are available in both iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2.

Freeform App

Apple debuted a new cross-platform Freeform app in iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1. Designed for collaboration, Freeform can be used for jotting down notes, sketching, drawing, saving links, and more.

Multiple people can work on the same Freeform document, with updates synced for all participants in real-time. Apple says that Freeform can be used for sketching projects, designing mood boards, and brainstorming ideas, with the app serving as a creative space.

Apple Music Sing

Designed as a karaoke feature for Apple Music subscribers, ‌Apple Music‌ Sing provides real-time lyrics that iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users can sing along with. Features include adjustable vocals for changing the volume of the original singer, real-time lyrics that move to the rhythm of the vocals, background vocal options, and a duet view for multi-singer tracks.

Apple has introduced more than 50 playlists that include songs, duets, choruses, and anthems ideal for use with ‌Apple Music‌ Sing.

‌Apple Music‌ Sing can be used on the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and later, the third-generation 11-inch iPad Pro and later, the fifth-generation 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and later, the fourth-generation iPad Air and later, the ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ and later, and the iPad mini and later.

Advanced Data Protection

Introduced last week, Advanced Data Protection expands end-to-end encryption to additional iCloud data categories. Advanced Data Protection is opt-in and can be used to encrypt ‌iCloud‌ backups, Message backups, iCloud Drive content, Notes, Photos, Reminders, Voice Memos, Safari Bookmarks, Siri Shortcuts, and Wallet Passes.

With the update, almost all ‌iCloud‌ data is protected, with the exception of Mail, Contacts, and Calendar because these features need to interoperate with systems that use legacy technologies.

Advanced Data Protection is opt in because it means Apple can't restore your data if you lose your password, plus access to iCloud.com is disabled by default.

Stage Manager External Display Support

With iPadOS 16.2, Stage Manager on M1 and M2 iPads can be used with external displays once again. This is functionality that Apple removed in the first version of iPadOS 16 in order to expand ‌Stage Manager‌ to A12X and A12Z ‌iPad Pro‌ models.

With external display support, ‌Stage Manager‌ supports up to eight apps for multitasking purposes, rather than four. This functionality is limited to ‌M1‌ and ‌M2‌ iPads.

For the ‌M1‌ or ‌M2‌ capable iPads, there is also an option to drag and drop a window from the ‌iPad‌ to the external monitor that is connected to your device. Dragging a window from one device to another is new in the iOS 16.2 update.

New Home App Architecture

Paired with HomePod 16.2 software, iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 add support for an updated Home app architecture that comes following the addition of the Matter smart home standard.

Apple says that the new Home app architecture brings faster, more reliable performance in homes with many smart accessories, but it requires every device that accesses the home to be running the iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2 updates, along with the ‌HomePod‌ 16.2 software.

Disable Wallpaper and Notifications for Always On Display

iOS 16.2 adds two toggles for disabling wallpaper and notifications when always on display is active. The feature makes for a simpler always on display interface that only shows the time and any widgets that are enabled.

Contacts Only AirDrop

With the launch of iOS 16.2, AirDrop is going to be restricted to Contacts Only by default, rather than everyone. There is still an option to open AirDrop up to everyone nearby, but it will revert back to Contacts Only after a 10 minute period.

Apple says that this was implemented to cut down on AirDrop spam.

Software Updates

Apple has made a small tweak to the Software Updates section of the Settings app, which is available under General. The text of the software version that's installed is now bolder, making it more apparent.

Lock Screen Sleep Widget

iOS 16.2 adds a Sleep widget to the Lock Screen, which draws from data stored in the Health app and collected by the Apple Watch or other sleep tracking devices. It provides information such as time spent in bed and sleep quality, with three variants available.

A simple one tile widget shows the amount of time that you spent in bed, and two multi-tile options display either a bar chart that shows sleep quality or a larger widget that shows time in bed along with a visual representation. Tapping on the widget opens up the Sleep section of the Health app.

Lock Screen Medication Widget

In addition to a new Sleep widget, Apple has also added a Medications widget. There are two options, one that is a single pill icon and a second that lets you know when you need to take a medication. It will alert you if all your medications are logged or if you have no more medications for the day.

Game Center

Game Center now supports SharePlay, allowing ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ users to play games with friends and family while on a FaceTime call.

There's also a new Activity Widget that lets users see what their friends are playing and achieving in games from the Home Screen.

Messages Search

Apple has improved search in the Messages app for finding photos based on content, like a pet, car, person, or text.

Turn Off Hide IP Address

There's a new ‌iCloud‌ Private Relay setting to disable it temporarily for a specific Safari site.

5G in India

iOS 16.2 unlocks 5G service in India, and multiple carriers in the country are now supporting 5G speeds.

TV App Live Sports Scores

iOS 16.2 re-adds Live Activities integration for select sports games for the built-in TV app on the ‌iPhone‌. Games can be tracked in real time on the Lock Screen or the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro models.

TV App Updates

With the iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 updates, Apple has tweaked the TV app. There are now large show and movie previews located above the "Up Next" interface making it more difficult for users to get to the TV shows they want to watch.

Weather App News

The Weather app now integrates with Apple News, displaying relevant Weather-related news information based on your region.

Live Activities in the TV App

There is an option to get more frequent Live Activity updates from the TV app for following sports games. More frequent updates can result in faster battery drain, so you might want to disable it if you're concerned about battery life.

Siri Silent Responses

In the Accessibility section of the Settings app, there is an option to set ‌Siri‌ to "Prefer Silent Responses" so that ‌Siri‌ will confirm requests on-device rather than out loud.

ProMotion Lag Fix

On devices that support ProMotion, Apple says that SwiftUI animated layout changes will support a 120Hz refresh rate, functionality that was previously missing.

The iOS 16.2 update also appears to address long-running issues affecting the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models with ProMotion. These devices can experience lagging and stuttering system animations when closing and switching between apps, and multiple reports from beta testers indicate the performance has been improved in the update.

AirTag Alerts

On the ‌iPad‌, tracking notifications are now available to let users know if an AirTag separated from its owner is nearby and has recently played a chime to indicate that it is moving.

Crash Detection Optimizations

First introduced in iOS 16.1.2, Crash Detection optimization for the ‌iPhone 14‌ models is also added to iOS 16.2. Crash Detection optimization could perhaps involve improvements to prevent the ‌‌iPhone 14‌‌ models from calling emergency services when users are enjoying rollercoasters and other intense rides.

Unintentional SOS Calls

Apple is now collecting data on accidental SOS calls with the update, and one user has reported an Apple inquiry about the call that collects system data.

Battery Status Shortcut

There is a new Battery Status Shortcut available that provides information about the ‌iPhone‌'s battery and any charger that's connected.

Other New Features

Know of a new feature in iOS 16.2 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.

With the launch of the new Apple Music Sing feature in iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and tvOS 16.2, Apple has released dozens of playlists aggregating songs that support the feature.

There are playlists for hits, party anthems, family favorites, crowd-pleasers, iconic duets and festive favorites, as well as playlists separated into genres like pop, dance, hip-hop, indie, rock, and more, plus playlists for music from different decades.

Apple has also added categories like "Songs for Pros," filled with challenging songs to sing, along with songs for beginners new to karaoke.

All of the playlists can be accessed in the ‌Apple Music‌ app on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Note that ‌Apple Music‌ Sing is available on the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and later, the fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and later, the third-generation 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and later, the fourth-generation iPad Air and later, the sixth-generation iPad mini, the ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ and later, and the 2022 ‌Apple TV‌ 4K.

Meta-owned social network Instagram today announced the launch of a new "Notes" feature that is designed to allow Instagram users to share their thoughts using text and emojis. Notes are described as short posts that can include up to 60 characters, which means they're similar to a tweet, but with support for fewer words.

Notes can be shared by going to the top of the inbox, selecting followers or people on the Close Friends List, and then writing and sharing a note. Notes will show at the top of the inbox for 24 hours, and replies will be displayed as DMs.

During testing, we learned that people liked having a lightweight, easy way to share what's on their mind and start conversations. From asking for recommendations to sharing what they're up to, Notes give people a casual and spontaneous way to express themselves and connect with each other.

Instagram will also soon be implementing Group Profiles, which will allow multiple users to share posts and stories through a dedicated, shared profile.

Candid Stories are in testing as well, with Instagram aiming to add BeReal-like functionality. Candid Stories are only visible to those who also share their own Candid, and it is meant to be used to "share what you're doing right now." Instagram will send daily notifications to post a Candid, unless the setting is disabled.

Notes are rolling out today, while Candid Stories are in testing and will be available for some users. Group Profiles are set to come out in the near future.

Car manufacturer Tesla today rolled out a holiday software update that introduces support for Apple Music. According to reports on Twitter, the 2022.44.25 update allows Tesla owners to access their ‌Apple Music‌ accounts directly in their cars.

Stream over 100 million songs and 30,000 playlists ad-free. Listen to your entire library, discover new music, and tune into live radio stations. To access Apple Music, tap the Apple Music icon in the Application Launcher, scan the QR code with your mobile device, and login with your Apple ID.

Note: A Premium Connectivity subscription is required to stream Apple Music over a cellular connection.

There were hints that ‌Apple Music‌ support was imminent when a Tesla exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles featured a vehicle with an ‌Apple Music‌ app installed.

‌Apple Music‌ integration has been a feature long desired by Tesla owners, and ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers who want access can install the latest software to get it.

The iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 updates that Apple released today include fixes for more than 30 vulnerabilities, which is why it's a good idea to update as soon as possible if you have not done so already.

Apple addressed issues with everything from the Graphics Driver to WebKit to the kernel, along with vulnerabilities in Safari, Weather, Photos and more. None of these issues were known to have been actively exploited in the wild, but updating is still important now that they're publicly highlighted.

Apple has provided many of the same fixes in the iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2 updates available to those who are not able to install iOS 16.2, and there are also fixes in tvOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, and iCloud for Windows 14.1.

On the Mac, macOS Ventura 13.1 has the same fixes, plus a WebKit vulnerability that may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.1, which Apple fixed in iOS 16.1.2.

Those who cannot update to Ventura can install macOS Monterey 12.6.2 or macOS Big Sur 11.7.2 to get protection against some of the vulnerabilities.

Apple is planning to allow for alternate app stores on iPhones and iPads ahead of European legislation that will require the company to support sideloading, reports Bloomberg.

The change would allow customers to download apps without needing to use the App Store, which would mean developers would not need to pay Apple's 15 to 30 percent fees, but to start with, Apple is only planning to implement sideloading support in Europe.

If other countries introduce similar legislation, alternate app stores could expand beyond the European Union. The United States, for example, is considering legislation that would require Apple to allow sideloading. Apple has claimed that sideloading will "undermine the privacy and security protections" that iPhone users rely on, leaving people vulnerable to malware, scams, data tracking, and other issues.

The European Union's Digital Markets Act that went into effect on November 1 requires "gatekeeper" companies to open up their services and platforms to other companies and developers. The DMA will have a major impact on Apple's platforms, and it could result in Apple making major changes to the ‌App Store‌, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and more. Apple has until March 6, 2024 to comply with the EU's rules.

According to Bloomberg, Apple's software engineering and services employees are working to open up "key elements of Apple's platforms," with Apple using a "significant amount of resources" for the change. Apple is planning for the functionality to be ready for iOS 17 in 2023, which would put it ahead of the deadline. There is a danger that these drastic updates could impact work on new features slated for iOS 17, some employees told Bloomberg.

To protect users from the aforementioned risks of sideloading, Apple is considering implementing security requirements such as verification, a process that it could charge a fee for in lieu of collecting money from app sales. Apple has a verification system on Mac that allows users to be safe while giving them access to apps outside of the Mac App Store.

Apple could open up underlying app frameworks and APIs to third-party app developers, providing deeper access to core system functions and hardware. Third-party apps could in the future get access to camera technologies not available now, and Apple is working to open up NFC in a limited way that could allow for Apple Pay alternatives. Apple is also considering further opening up the Find My network to accessory makers like Tile. As of now, Apple lets third-party device makers create ‌Find My‌ accessories, but there is a requirement that prevents them from working with non-Find My apps and services.

There is an aspect of the Digital Markets Act that would require Apple to allow developers to install third-party payment systems within their apps, and Apple has not yet "made a final decision" on whether it will comply with the rule. Apple is also undecided on how the Messages app might be made available to third-party services, as the DMA requires interoperability between messaging platforms.

Apple has to comply with the Digital Markets Act because the European Union can fine a company as much as 20 percent of its global revenue if the laws are violated. If Apple does not implement the changes, fines could be as high as $80 billion.

In addition to resulting in major changes to the ‌App Store‌ and other Apple services, European legislation is also pushing Apple to adopt USB-C across all of its devices, a change that will be made in 2023.

Apple Watch users will once again be able to complete an Activity Challenge for New Year's. Those who close all three of their stand/roll, exercise, and move rings for seven days in a row at any point in January will earn a special award in the Fitness app and custom animated stickers that can be used in the Messages and FaceTime apps.

"Start 2023 off right," the Activity Challenge will say. "Earn this award by closing all three rings for seven days in a row in January."

The annual "Ring in the New Year's" challenge is one of many Activity Challenges that the Apple Watch offers throughout the year, with other challenges made available for Earth Day, Heart Month, International Dance Day, Veterans Day, and more.

We have shared an early look at the New Year's stickers below.

We've been keeping an eye on all of the Apple products that have major discounts and are still in stock with guaranteed Christmas delivery. As expected, the cross section of products that fall under these categories is low, but now includes Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro notebooks on Amazon at up to $499 off.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Starting with the 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro, you can get the Space Gray model for its all-time low price of $1,999.99, down from $2,499.00. Free delivery options set the arrival window for December 21 as of writing, and only Space Gray is available.

Moving to the 512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro, this one is on sale for $1,999.99, down from $2,499.00. It's again only available in Space Gray, and has a delivery estimate of December 21 for most residences in the United States.

Additionally, you can get the 1TB M1 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro for $2,199.99 ($499 off) and the 1TB M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro for $3,049.00 ($450 off). Both of these sales are also all-time low prices and have delivery dates before December 25.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Apple today released macOS 13.1 Ventura, the newest version of the operating system that runs on Macs. macOS Ventura 13.1 comes more than a month after the launch of macOS 13 Ventura.

The ‌macOS Ventura‌ update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. Apple has also released macOS Big Sur 11.72 and macOS Monterey 12.6.2 for Mac users that are not able to update to Ventura.

Today's macOS Ventura update introduces the Freeform app, designed to allow users to sketch, draw, and write on a blank whiteboard-style canvas that can be used with friends and colleagues. It also includes Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, expanding end-to-end encryption to ‌iCloud‌ Backup, Notes, Photos, and more.

There are improvements to search in Messages, an option to play a sound in the Find My app to locate AirTags, AirPods Pro, and ‌Find My‌ network accessories, plus there are several bug fixes. Apple's full notes for the update are below.

Freeform
- Freeform is a new app for working creatively with friends or colleagues on Mac, iPad and iPhone
- A flexible canvas lets you add files, images, stickies, and more

Advanced Data Protection for iCloud
- New option expands the total number of iCloud data categories protected using end-to-end encryption to 23 -- including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos -- protecting your information even in the case of a data breach in the cloud

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
- Improved search in Messages allows you to find photos based on their content, like a dog, car, person, or text
- Participant Cursors in Notes allow you to see live indicators as others make updates in a shared note
- Play sound in Find My app can now help you pinpoint the location of nearby AirTags, AirPods Pro (2nd generation) case, and Find My network accessories
- Fixes an issue that causes some notes not to sync with iCloud after updates are made
- Fixes an issue where you may lose keyboard and mouse input in some apps and games

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

For more on all of the features that are available in the macOS Ventura update, we have a dedicated macOS Ventura roundup.

Apple today released iOS 16.2, the second major update to the iOS 16 operating system that came out in September. iOS 16.2 comes more than a month after the launch of iOS 16.1, an update that added support for Live Activities, Matter, iCloud Shared Photo Library, and more.

The ‌iOS 16‌.2 update Apple's can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes for the updates to propagate to all users due to high demand. Note that Apple has also released iOS 15.7.2 for iPhone users who have older devices, with the update offering security improvements.

Today's iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 updates bring several notable features to iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, including the Freeform app, which is a sort of digital whiteboard that you can use for anything, while also working collaboratively with friends and colleagues.

It includes the Apple Music karaoke feature called "Sing," it introduces Advanced Data Protection for end-to-end encryption for more ‌iCloud‌ features, plus more. On the iPad, the update brings support for external displays on M1 and M2 iPads.

Apple's full release notes for the iOS update are below:

Freeform
- Freeform is a new app for working creatively with friends or colleagues on Mac, iPad and iPhone
- A flexible canvas lets you add files, images, stickies, and more
Drawing tools let you sketch anywhere on the canvas with your finger

Apple Music Sing
- A new way to sing along with millions of your favorite songs in Apple Music
- Fully adjustable vocals let you duet with the original artist, sing solo, or mix it up
- Newly enhanced beat-by-beat lyrics make it even easier to follow along with the music

Advanced Data Protection for iCloud
- New option expands the total number of iCloud data categories protected using end-to-end encryption to 23 -- including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos -- protecting your information even in the case of a data breach in the cloud

Lock Screen
- New settings allow you to hide wallpaper or notifications when Always-On display is enabled on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Sleep widget lets you view your most recent sleep data
- Medications widget lets you view reminders and quickly access your schedule

Game Center
- SharePlay support in Game Center for multiplayer games so you can play with the people you are on a FaceTime call with
- Activity Widget allows you to see what your friends are playing and achieving in games right from your Home Screen

Apple TV
- Live Activities for Apple TV app let you follow your favorite teams with live scores right on your Lock Screen or in Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

Home
- Improved reliability and efficiency of communication between your smart home accessories and Apple devices

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
- Improved search in Messages allows you to find photos based on their content, like a dog, car, person, or text
- Turn Off Hide IP Address setting enables iCloud Private Relay users to temporarily disable the service for a specific site in Safari
- News articles in Weather display information relevant to the weather in that location
- Participant Cursors in Notes allow you to see live indicators as others make updates in a shared note
- AirDrop now automatically reverts to Contacts Only after 10 minutes to prevent unwanted requests to receive content
- Crash Detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models
- Fixes an issue that causes some notes not to sync with iCloud after updates are made

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Apple also has some ‌iPad‌ specific notes:

Stage Manager
- External display support with resolutions up to 6K available on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later), and iPad Air (5th generation)
- Drag and drop files and windows from your compatible device to your connected display, and vice versa
- Support for using up to 4 apps on the iPad display and 4 on the external display

iPad Specific Features and Fixes
- Fixes an issue that may cause Multi-Touch gestures to become unresponsive while using the Zoom accessibility feature

Following the launch of iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, Apple may soon seed out the first betas of iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3, giving us a look at new features that we can expect to see in the new year.

Apple today released watchOS 9.2, the second major update to the watchOS 9 operating system that Apple launched in September. watchOS 9.2 comes more than a month after the debut of watchOS 9.1, an update that added battery life improvements.

watchOS 9.2 can be downloaded for free through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by opening it up and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌.

watchOS 9.2 includes Race Route, a feature that is designed to let outdoor runners, cyclists, and wheelchair users to compete against their previous performances, plus for outdoor run workouts, it can detect when you arrive at a running track.

There's a new custom kickboxing algorithm, the Noise app now lets you know when sound levels are reduced with AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, and there are optimizations for Crash Detection along with a few bug fixes. Apple's full notes for the update are below:

watchOS 9.2 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:
- Outdoor Run workout now automatically detects when you arrive at a running track and provides track specific metrics
- Race Route lets you compete against your previous performance in Outdoor Run, Outdoor Cycle, and Outdoor Wheelchair Workouts
- New custom Kickboxing algorithm in the Workout app for more accurate metrics
- Noise app displays when environmental sound levels are reduced while wearing AirPods Pro (1st generation) and AirPods Max with active noise cancellation
- Family Setup users can be invited to the Home app to control HomePod speakers and smart home accessories, and unlock doors with home keys in Wallet
- Accessibility support to visualize when Siren is in use on Apple Watch Ultra
- Improved response time and accuracy of hand gesture controls for AssistiveTouch and Quick Actions
- Crash Detection optimizations on Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- Fix for bug that causes display of incorrect watch time immediately after dismissing an alarm in Sleep Focus
- Fix for bug causing interruptions to mindfulness sessions

Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas, for more information visit: https://www.apple.com/watchos/feature-availability/

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

watchOS 9.2 will require iOS 16.2 to install on an Apple Watch, and it is compatible with all Apple Watch models able to run watchOS 9.

Apple today released tvOS 16.2, the second major update to the tvOS 16 operating system that initially debuted in September. tvOS 16.2 comes more than a month after the release of tvOS 16.1, an update that introduced Siri improvements and iCloud Shared Photo Library.

The tvOS 16.2 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update. ‌‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to ‌tvOS 16.2 automatically. tvOS 16.2 is compatible with ‌Apple TV‌ 4K and ‌Apple TV‌ HD models.

tvOS 16.2 adds support for Apple Music Sing, the new karaoke feature designed to let ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers with an ‌Apple TV‌ sing along to their favorite songs, solo or in duets. ‌Apple Music‌ Sing is compatible with the third-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, which is the newest model.

The update adds ‌Apple TV‌+ previews, displaying videos of new ‌Apple TV‌+ shows and films in the Originals tab, plus it tweaks the main TV app interface, moving down the "Watch Now" bar in favor of content previews.

Apple says that tvOS 16.2 provides video recommendations on what to watch next after you finish a show or movie, plus it introduces a new unified sports experience. You can follow your favorite teams in the ‌Apple TV‌ app and automatically have news on those teams show up in Apple News.

Apple provides additional details on tvOS releases in its dedicated tvOS support document, which is updated after each new iteration of tvOS.

Alongside iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple today released new software created for the HomePod and HomePod mini.

According to Apple's release notes, ‌HomePod‌ software version 16.2 adds performance and stability improvements, with no additional information. It's worth noting that alongside the new iOS and macOS updates, the ‌HomePod‌ software adds a new Home app architecture.

‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app by following the instructions in our HomePod‌‌ update how to.

Deals on Apple's line of MagSafe accessories have come and gone throughout the holiday season, and one of the last remaining solid deals before Christmas is on the regular MagSafe Charger. Amazon has this accessory for $29.99, down from $39.00, which is a solid second-best price.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Getting Apple's products shipped and delivered in time for Christmas is getting harder as we near the 25th, and the MagSafe Charger is one of the last Apple accessories on Amazon with a delivery date before Christmas and a solid discount.

The MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo Charger also have delivery dates before Christmas, but neither have particularly steep discounts on Amazon as of writing. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Best Buy today announced it has expanded its Upgrade+ program to include select 24-inch iMac and Mac Studio models. Launched in October in partnership with Apple, the program provides interest-free monthly financing via Citizens Bank for select Macs purchased from Best Buy in the United States, similar to Apple's own iPhone Upgrade Program.

For example, an approved customer can finance an iMac starting at $28.17 per month for 36 months. After 36 months, customers who purchase an eligible Mac will then have the options of making a final, higher payment to keep the Mac, returning the Mac, or returning the Mac and upgrading to a newer model through the program.

For example, Upgrade+ allows customers to finance:
- An iMac from $28.17/month for 36 months and the $286 final payment is due in month 37. Based on an original price of $1,299.99.
- A Mac laptop from $19.99/month for 36 months and the $280.35 final payment is due in month 37. Based on an original price of $999.99.

Upgrade+ also offers customers the option to finance the purchase of an AppleCare+ plan for their Mac and select Apple accessories. Best Buy Totaltech members who purchase an eligible Mac through the program will receive AppleCare+ at no additional charge for up to 24 months while their membership is active.

Other models available through the Upgrade+ program include the MacBook Air with the M1 chip or M2 chip, 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip, and 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

More details about the program are available on Best Buy's website.

Amazon today has a few models of Apple's M2 MacBook Air at a discount and with shipping in time for Christmas. Prices start at $1,049.00 for the 256GB M2 MacBook Air, down from $1,199.00, which is a match of this model's all-time low price.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This sale is available in all four colors, but only Space Gray and Midnight options are available to be delivered before December 25. Starlight and Silver colors have delivery dates slipping into late December and early January as of writing.

For the 512GB M2 MacBook Air, options are more limited. There are again two colors available at the all-time low price of $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00, but only Silver has a guaranteed delivery date before Christmas.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Popular writing app and markdown editor Ulysses has gained a new Projects feature that's aimed at users who tend to work on larger projects, such as books, a thesis, or a blog.

New to the app in version 29, the Projects feature only shows what's relevant to the current project and hides everything else in the app's sidebar to improve focus.

The writing goal and deadline for the project is shown in prominently in the sidebar, where there are dedicated sections for content as well as additional silos for research material, while keywords for each project are managed separately.

The interface for projects has been designed to make content easily exportable, and each project can have separate settings, such as export style and file format.

In addition, Ulysses 29 overhauls the dashboard and Revision mode toolbars on Mac and the menus on iOS, and fixes a bug where italics would fail to show in the editor. The whole process of moving groups and sheets has also been reworked, so that Ulysses drag-and-drop interactions finally work as they should.

Ulysses can be downloaded for free on the App Store. After a 14-day trial period, a subscription is required to unlock the app on all devices. A monthly subscription costs $5.99, while a yearly subscription is $39.99.

Students can use Ulysses at a discounted price of $10.99 per six months. The discount is granted from within the app. Ulysses is also included in Setapp, the subscription-based service for Mac applications created by MacPaw.

Microsoft Authenticator for iOS will drop support for the Apple Watch companion app from January 2023, the company has revealed.

Used principally for signing into Microsoft accounts with two-step verification enabled, the Microsoft Authenticator for iOS gained an Apple Watch companion app in 2018.

The watch app supports Microsoft personal, work, and school accounts that are set up with push notifications and lets users bypass the need to pick up their iPhone at all to complete the authentication process.

However, this functionality is being removed at the beginning of next year. Microsoft documented the change to the iOS app in an updated FAQ webpage. In answer to the question "Is Apple Watch supported for Authenticator on iOS?" Microsoft gives the following reply:

In the upcoming Authenticator release in January 2023 for iOS, there will be no companion app for watchOS due to it being incompatible with Authenticator security features. This means you won't be able to install or use Authenticator on Apple Watch. We therefore recommend that you delete Authenticator from your Apple Watch. This change only impacts Apple Watch, so you will still be able to use Authenticator on your other devices.

Microsoft did not specify which security features the watchOS app is incompatible with going forward, and instead simply directs users to the ‌iPhone‌ or iPad app to authenticate login attempts.

The Microsoft Authenticator app for Apple Watch joins a long list of abandoned third-party watchOS apps that have been discontinued over the last few years, either because of perceived redundancy or lack of user uptake. Other notable Apple Watch apps that have got the chop include Twitter, Instagram, Target, Trello, Slack, Hulu, and Uber.