Apple’s iPhone 16 Event and iOS 18 Updates

Apple’s iPhone 16 Event and iOS 18 Updates

Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 16 series and release the final version of iOS 18 at an event scheduled for September 9. However, it is reported that this update may significantly reduce the functionality of the Live Activities feature.

According to a report by 9to5Mac, Apple will restrict the refresh rate of these widgets. This limitation could pose serious problems for applications that want to display real-time activity information, such as biking speed while on the go. Live Activities were introduced in 2022 with iOS 16 and provide users with enhanced notifications on the lock screen or Dynamic Island, facilitating the flow of information. For example, it delivers real-time information like sports event scores to users.

In feedback sent to a developer, Apple emphasizes that despite the official Live Activities guide prepared for iOS developers including real-time fitness metrics, Live Activities should “never be used to create real-time experiences.” The company notes that every update from the Live Activities widget requires writing data to the storage of the iPhone, and this ongoing process can lead to wear and tear on the device.

Additionally, with iOS 18, each update will need to be synchronized with an Apple Watch if connected. While this change may be disappointing for some users, it is believed to improve battery life and the lifespan of the iPhone’s internal storage.

Reportedly, updates will now occur at intervals of 5-15 seconds. However, this change will not negatively affect certain functions, such as timers (for instance, the estimated arrival of an approaching bus).