Apple's upcoming iOS 17.5 beta includes a hidden word game called Quartiles for Apple News+ subscribers, featuring word snippets in a grid format. However, the game has received criticism for its difficulty and lack of user-friendly features, leading to frustration among players. Some feel that the game's design makes it more infuriating than enjoyable, and it requires a strong command of the English language to succeed. Despite being part of the iOS update, Quartiles has faced backlash for its challenging gameplay and lack of accessibility for a wider audience.
Apple News is testing a new game called Quartiles for iOS 17.5, which involves organizing a grid of 20 syllables into 5 four-syllable words, resembling the New York Times' game Connections. This move follows the success of gaming features for news aggregators, as seen with the popularity of the Times' games. While still in beta testing, Quartiles reflects a trend of news platforms integrating gaming elements to engage users.
Apple's iOS 17.5 update introduces a new word game called "Quartiles" to the Apple News app, expanding its collection of puzzles for Apple News+ subscribers. The game challenges players to form words from a grid of tiles and includes Game Center integration with leaderboards for Daily Solve Time and Daily Score stats. However, the discoverability of these puzzles within the app is questioned, with suggestions for better integration.