As we mentioned yesterday, the news that comes with the recent beta of iOS 15.5 —despite jumping from version 15.4.1— are minor. Minor, but interesting, yes. Well, as much as the focus of attention is already on iOS 16 and WWDC 2022, we continue to see a secondary beta cycle in iOS 15. Let’s review what’s new.
References, more than news: the focus is on iOS 16
More than great news, in iOS 15.5 we find clues to future changes. Clues to future services, name changes to the current ones and overall a set-up for what is to come in just two months with iOS 16. The complete list of news is as follows:
- References to Apple Classical as a standalone app: Apple Classical is, as far as we know, the name of Apple’s new classical music streaming service. Recall that Apple bought Primephonic, a company specializing in classical music, in August last year. References now appear within the Music app in the iOS 15.5 beta, saying “Open in Apple Classical,” “Open this in the new app designed for classical music,” and “A Shortcut to Apple Classical.” All this makes us understand that Apple Classical will have its own app and that we should see it sooner rather than later.
- Universal Control Compatibility: According to the release notes, to use Universal Control between the different devices, we must update all of them to the beta. Some changes have been made in this version, so the system cannot be combined with macOS 12.3 or iPadOS 15.4.
- Change of name in iTunes Pass: Until now when we bought credit for our Apple ID we could show it on a card in the Wallet app called iTunes Pass. Now this “card” will show up as Apple Balance within the app. Change discovered by 9to5macwhere they add that the code mentions that “Your balance can be used to buy products, accessories, applications, games and more online or in stores with Apple Pay”.
- Changes to Apple Pay Cash: Now the Apple Pay Cash section within the Wallet app (not yet available in Spain) shows two buttons “Request” and “Send” to facilitate both processes from the same application.
- SportsKit enhancements: Apple continues to update SportsKit as it prepares to launch Friday Night Baseball in the US. Mentions of match scores have been discovered within the TV app.
As we mentioned yesterday, minor but interesting news. News that, above all, bring us clues of what is to come in the near future. We will see how iOS 15.5 evolves.
