Apple Announces iOS 16.3 Release Along With New Black History Month Collection

Apple announced the launch of its Black Unity Collection today in celebration of Black History Month that includes a special-edition Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop, matching iPhone wallpaper and a mosaic watch face. According to the company, the watch face and wallpaper designs will be available next week, along with its newest software updates: iOS 16.3 and watchOS 9.3.

Starting in February, Apple will be offering a selection of Black History Month content for Apple TV, Fitness Plus, Music, Maps, Books, Podcasts and the App Store. The Smithsonian created a special set of guides that highlight landmarks and events from the Civil Rights Movement, and Dr. Jelani Cobb curated a lineup of films for the Apple TV app. 

Apple’s $49 Black Unity Sport Loop is available to order today on the website and via the Apple Store app, and it will be in select Apple Stores beginning Jan. 24. The band fits Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 4 or newer and Apple Watch Ultra. To display the Unity watch face, you must have a Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 9.3, or iPhone 8 or newer model and iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later that runs iOS 16.3. 

Along with the new watch face, the Unity iPhone wallpaper will drop next week and it requires users to have an iPhone 8 or later model that runs iOS 16.3. Though Apple did not specify a concrete date for the software update releases, customers can expect new features such as parking assistance on Apple Maps, security keys and more ways to use Emergency SOS.