iOS 16: release date, features and which iPhones are compatible


Ian Oxborrow
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Apple's IOS 16 ― one of the biggest operating system updates in the history of iPhones ― is here.

The IOS 16 “is a big release, with updates that will change the way you experience iPhone,” said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

The new version of IOS 16 has arrived to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 14 devices, which were shown off at Apple's Far Out event last week. The update is scheduled to arrive on compatible phones on September 12.

Here is a look at what's new with IOS 16, which includes changes to the lock screen, messaging and photo library.

Which iPhones will have the IOS 16 update?

Apple has said that the free software update will be for iPhone 8 and later. That means it will be available for the following devices: iPhone SE, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The iPadOS version meanwhile has been delayed, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has a long history of accurate reporting on the technology company's product plans.

He said it can be expected in October rather than September, while previously the company launched the iPad and iPhone software simultaneously.

“Launching iPadOS 16 and IOS 16 a month apart could create headaches for consumers who own both an iPhone and iPad,” he wrote.

“For instance, new iMessage features like message retraction and editing won’t work seamlessly between IOS 16 and iPadOS 15 devices.”

iPadOS 16 will be getting Stage Manager, which allows users to handle several tasks at the same time.

Goodbye Captcha?

Ah, those pesky (but important) tests that delay your payments for a few extra seconds as you are challenged on how many squares on the screen have traffic lights or motorbikes, or something like that.

OK, the first time you did it the process may almost have seemed like fun, but thereafter it was a nuisance you could do without — except for the actual security it was providing.

Now, Apple is introducing Private Access Tokens as part of IOS 16.

It says these are a powerful alternative that help you to identify HTTP requests from legitimate devices and people without compromising their identity or personal information.

New personalisation features

The lock screen won't just be a place for a background image and the time any more.

Apple's IOS 16 will allow for widgets to be introduced, showing the likes of weather, calendar events and Air Pod battery level. Several lock screens can also be saved if you fancy changing to a different style.

An expanded notification list view will be added, along with live activities that will allow you to follow the progress of a food delivery or the score in a sports match.

iCloud Shared Photo Library

A separate iCloud library will allow up to six users to collaborate and contribute. Users can send photos to the Shared Library automatically by using a new toggle in the Camera app.

Every user in the Shared Photo Library has the ability to add, delete, edit or tag their favourite shared photos or videos, which will appear in each user’s Memories and Featured Photos, allowing everyone to relive family moments.

Updates to Messages

Users can edit or recall recently sent messages, recover recently deleted messages, and mark conversations as unread so they can come back to them later.

Users can edit a message for up to 15 minutes after sending it and can unsend a message for up to two minutes after sending it, Apple said. Users can make up to five edits to a given message. Recipients will be able to see a record of edits made to the message.

Undo send is available for 10 seconds after sending.

Apple also said that SharePlay is coming to Messages, making it possible to enjoy synced content such as movies or songs and shared playback controls, all while chatting in Messages.

Tools for Mail

Did you ever send that email and moments later you wish you hadn't?

Users of IOS 16 can schedule emails ahead of time and are even given a moment to cancel delivery of a message before it reaches a recipient’s inbox.

Mail also detects if an attachment has been forgotten, and includes the biggest overhaul to search. It will use state-of-the-art techniques to deliver more relevant, accurate and complete results, Apple said.

Apple Pay Later

This new financial product allows users to split the cost of an Apple Pay purchase into four equal instalments over six weeks without being charged interest or late fees.

It marks the iPhone maker's entry into the growing buy now, pay later (BNPL) industry.

For now, it appears that only iPhone and Mac users in the US will be able to use Apple Pay Later. It remains unclear if it will made available for Apple customers in the UAE.

Apple Pay Later does not require any integration and works with a user’s Apple Pay, the company said. It requires no extra work from the developer or merchant side.

When is the new iPhone 14 out?

The series will include the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, as well as the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone Pro will come with a 6.1-inch screen, while the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max will have 6.7-inch displays.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models start from $799 (Dh3,399) and $899 (Dh3,799), respectively, while the iPhone 14 Pro costs $999 (Dh4,299) and the iPhone 14 Pro Max starts at $1,099 (Dh4,699). Trade-in will be available at Apple stores.

Pre-orders began on Friday, September 9, for customers in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, the UAE, the UK, the US, and more than 30 other countries and regions. The iPhone 14 will be available from September 16 and the iPhone 14 Plus from October 7.

The iPhone 14 will be available in Malaysia, Turkey, and 20 other countries and regions from September 23.

Fitness app

This is available to all iPhone users to help track and meet fitness goals, and does not require an Apple Watch.

Motion sensors on the iPhone can track steps, distance, flights climbed and workouts from third-party apps, which can be converted into an estimation of active calories to contribute to users’ daily “Move” goal. Users can also share their “Move” ring with friends for additional motivation.

Health app

Users will be able to create lists, schedules and reminders, and track their medications, vitamins or supplements.

In the US, users can point their iPhone camera at a label to add a medicine, read about the medications they are taking and receive an alert if there are potential critical interactions.

— This article was first published on June 8, 2022

MATCH INFO:

Second Test

Pakistan v Australia, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am​​ daily​​​​​ at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Entrance is free

The Orwell Prize for Political Writing

Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include: 

  • Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
  • Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
  • Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
  • Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
  • Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
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Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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RACE CARD

6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.

'Of Love & War'
Lynsey Addario, Penguin Press

Saudi Cup race day

Schedule in UAE time

5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)

The biog

Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives. 

The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast. 

As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau

He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker. 

If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah

 

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
TOURNAMENT INFO

Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Updated: June 23, 2023, 1:55 PM