WordPress 5.6 is here! Here's what you need to know about the new update
Source: WordPress
The update seen appears to be in full swing. Just days after the December 2020 Core update on Google, WordPress is the latest to join the bandwagon.
The launch of WordPress 5.6 was announced officially on December 8. The new version is named ‘Simone’ after the late singer Nina Simeone. The most notable addition to the new update is the launch of a new official WordPress theme, Twenty Twenty-One.
WordPress has brought a number of changes to its platform with the update. Anyone using tools like AppMySite to turn WordPress to app should make note of these changes.
This piece covers some of the more notable changes WordPress has made.
More block patterns
Not all WordPress users are great fans of the block editor. It nevertheless simplifies the addition of embedded media and various other templates with premade block patterns.
WordPress is adding upon its existing library of block patterns. This will again help users streamline their content layout at the click of a button without worrying about writing HTML code for each block.
All is not lost for the Gutenberg fans who’re not particularly fond of the new block editor. WordPress 5.6 is bringing seven new updates to the Gutenberg editor covering features like video content positioning, enhanced keyboard navigation, and more.
Twenty Twenty-One
Every major Wordpress update comes with the launch of a new default theme as well. Twenty Twenty-One is the new official WordPress theme. Users can try out a live preview right now.
One of the major takeaways is the soft color theme. WordPress is making a conscious effort to move away from hard color choices. The default light blue get up is easy on the eye and perfect for typical WordPress bloggers who value simplicity and speed.
Source: WordPress
The new theme also comes with a dark mode option. End users can select the dark mode option to view the website in a darker theme.
The general content layout is similar to the previous Twenty Twenty theme. WordPress seems committed to aligning the main content body in the middle along with other resources on the website.
Separate application passwords
Are you tired of providing your backend credentials every time you need to grant external source access to your website? This is a fairly common problem. WordPress users often allow third party developers and companies access to their website to work on certain sections.
This will no longer be a problem thanks to the new WordPress 5.6 update. You can set up application passwords to separate sections of your backend. This will enable you to provide third-parties access to separate sections with the help of a password. There is thus no need to share login credentials to the entire WordPress backend.
Automatic updates
Managing WordPress updates is a painstaking task. No one likes to see endless red notifications for new updates after logging into the backend.
With WordPress 5.6, you can automate major and minor updates and focus on scaling your website traffic and business. This option is not available by default. You need to opt-in in order to auto-update your website whenever a new WordPress update drops
PHP8
WordPress developers are taking the launch of PHP8 very seriously. The old language is still relevant in the world of WordPress and provides plenty of support to the overall management of the backend.
WordPress 5.6 is being called beta compatible with PHP8. This should relieve developers to some extent. One can expect future updates to address complete PHP8 compatibility. This could happen in the early months of 2020.
A point to remember
WordPress is upgrading to a new jQuery JavaScript library with this new update. Such a change could affect the working of some plugins and themes. Before you install the new update on your website, it is better to test the update in your staging environment.
This will help you verify the general functioning of some important plugins and themes. If you’re using your website to create an app, you might want to check if your WordPress app plugin is working properly.
In conclusion
Updates are an essential part of every major platform. WordPress is no different. More than a third of the websites in the world are built on its platform. It is thus vital to bring in new updates and upgrade the general functionality.
This piece covers the major highlights of the new update. WordPress is not just crucial for making websites anymore. Tools like AppMySite now enable users to even create complex ecommerce apps using WordPress websites. It is not surprising to see people using their online store to create a WooCommerce app for Android and iOS.
There are thus many big and small companies invested in every little change WordPress makes. This piece analyzes some of the more recent changes.