Apple has released the first beta version of the latest update to its mobile operating system, iOS 10.2, to registered developers, following the public release of iOS 10.1.1.
From what can be seen in the first iOS 10.2 beta, it will not be introducing a main feature such as the Portrait mode which was included in iOS 10.1. However, it does add several smaller features to the operating system that iPhone and iPad users can soon enjoy.
Here's what's included in the first iOS 10.2 beta.
New Emoji
Apple is adding full support for Unicode 9.0 in iOS 10.2, extending the number of emojis that iPhone and iPad users can include in their messages.
Among the new emojis included in the first iOS 10.2 beta are new professions such as firemen, astronauts, judges and rockstars; a croissant; many new animals such as a duck, an eagle, a crab and a unicorn; emotions such as a facepalm and a shrug; and improved versions of older emojis.
Visual Additions
The first iOS 10.2 beta comes with a pair of visual additions, namely three new wallpapers and a new "celebrate" screen effect that can be added to an iMessage.
Preserve Settings For Camera
The Camera app for iPhones and iPads will also be getting a Preserve Settings option that will retain the Camera Mode, Photo Filter or Live Photo settings chosen by the user from the last time that the app was used. The feature can be turned on under Photos & Camera in the Settings menu.
Videos App Widget
The first beta of iOS 10.2 adds a new widget for the Videos app that users can include in the list that can be accessed by swiping right on the Home screen. The Videos widget will show TV shows and movies that are saved in the app, with the content able to be played with a single tap.
Apple Music Organization
iOS 10.2 will be adding new organization options for Apple Music playlists, with the playlists able to be sorted by title, type and date added. Users will also be able to sort tracks and albums by artist or title.
Emergency Contacts Notification
A new feature will also allow users to have their emergency contact notified whenever they use the Emergency SOS feature on their iPhone or Apple Watch. A popup notification to activate the feature will appear upon launching the Health app after upgrading to iOS 10.2.
iOS 10.2 Release Date
The first beta of iOS 10.2 has only just been made available to developers, with the specific release date of the operating system upgrade to the public still unknown. Apple usually announces the launch date for new iOS versions in media events, and with no more planned by the company for the year, iOS 10.2 will likely not be arriving until 2017 rolls around at the earliest.
