Apple releases first public beta of iOS 12.2

If you’ve signed up to be part of Apple’s beta testing program, the company has started seeding the first beta of the upcoming iOS 12.2 to its public beta testing group. It should come as an over-the-air update after installing the proper certification on an iOS device. If you’re interested in trying it out, you’ll need to sign up for the beta program.

Some of the expected features coming to iOS 12.2 includes the expansion of Apple News to Canada for the first time with Canadian iPhone and iPad users able to access news stories in either English or French. The update also introduces infrastructure to support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on third-party TVs as well as a redesigned TV remote in Control Center. There are also tweaks to the Wallet app, Downtime feature in Screen Time, new icon changes, and changes to Safari, among others. It’s also being rumoured that iOS 12.2 ushers in the launch of AirPods 2 as well as a subscription service for Apple News.

Source: MacRumors

iOS 12.1 rolling out today with Group FaceTime, Depth Control as well as Dual-SIM functionality

Apple plans to roll out iOS 12.1 which brings various new features such as Group FaceTime calling for up to 32 people at a time, Dual-SIM capability using a nano SIM with the latest iPhone XS and iPhone XR phones as well as over 70 new emoji and depth control preview for camera app. 

With iOS 12.1, FaceTime is more fun and flexible, with simple ways to add another person, join an active FaceTime call, or use the same camera effects available in Messages to add stickers, filters or appear to friends and family as an Animoji or Memoji. When an invitation is received, people can choose to join using audio or video from iPhone, iPad and Mac. Hit jump for a rundown of new features. 

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iOS 12.1 update to bring more than 70 new emoji

Seeing how emoji have become a norm in communication today, Apple is adding up to 70 new emoji for iPhone users on iOS 12.1.

More than 70 new emoji will be coming soon to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, including new characters with red hair, gray hair and curly hair, a new emoji for bald people, more emotive smiley faces and additional emoji representing animals, sports and food. The new emoji are available in today’s developer and public beta previews of iOS 12.1, and will be available in upcoming software updates for iOS, macOS and watchOS. 

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Review: iOS 12

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

This year’s iOS update brings new life to older iPhones and iPads while it adds smarter usage monitoring in its new Screen Time feature as well as the introduction of group FaceTime as well as Memoji functionality (limited to iPhone X class devices).

Leading up to iOS 12, Apple’s mobile OS hasn’t had the smoothest year. With various bugs like battery throttling and shutdowns on older iPhones, as well as a litany of quirks that disabled mics, broke touch screen functionality as well led to crashing of various apps and services on various models.

iOS 12 solves most of these issues and it should be considered more than just a service pack for Apple’s iOS devices.

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