Apple Releases iOS 12 beta 2: See What’s New

As expected, Apple has released iOS 12 beta 2 for developers. The software update arrives 15 days after the first beta was released soon after this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote. Developers can get the update from Apple’s site or over-the-air (OTA).

iOS 12 beta 2

The latest iOS 12 beta includes a few tweaks since the last version, including:

• There’s a new splash screen for the newly revised Voice Memos app.
• New splash screens are also available for the new Screen Time feature.
• Podcasts show chapters in iOS 12; that feature has now been turned on.
• Bigger font for the Media Types and Albums sections of the Photos app.
• Group FaceTime calls can’t be conducted between iOS 12 beta 2 and beta 1 devices. Workaround: all group FaceTime participants should update to beta 2.
• The Location Services icon in the status bar of #iOS12 beta 2 is a bit smaller and prettier
• UI for purchasing content now says “Scanning with Face ID”
• AutoFill UI for passwords save in iCloud Keychain has been tweaked
• UI for adding time limits to apps has changed
• new Screen Time options to view activity on a single device or all devices
• The second beta of iOS 12 solves another mystery: the new Automatic Update option will try to install a pending iOS software update “later tonight”
• A new toggle in Settings → Notifications on #iOS12 beta 2 lets you turn off Siri Suggestions for individual apps. These suggestions may offer to limit the notifications received from rarely used apps
• Usage charts in iOS 12 Settings → Battery are prettier on beta 2

Be sure to check our Twitter account for the latest finds in iOS 12 beta 2.

iOS 12 unveiled

Introduced on June 4, iOS 12 includes lots of new features, starting with significant performance and speed enhancements that will make iOS devices going back to 2013 run much smoother and quicker.

New features include: 

• ARKit 2 brings new tools to the platform, including native Adobe Creative Suite integration, and an all-new Measure app so that you can measure real-life items just by using your iPhone.
• You’ll also see search refinements in the Photos app and a new section called For You where you’ll find sharing suggestions.
• Siri is also getting smarter in iOS 12 thanks to the introduction of a Workflow-like app.
• Apps updated in iOS 12 include News, Stocks, and Voice Memos. The iBooks app is now called Apple Books. It comes with lots of new features and sections.
• CarPlay also gains support for third-party navigation apps.
• Screen Time will help you keep track of how much time you and your kids are spending on iOS devices.
• With Memojis, you can now create your own personal Animoji. The iOS 12 update also includes new Animoji faces and features too.

• Group FaceTime lets you can have FaceTime chats with up to 32 people at the same time.
• There’s also a keyboard trackpad mode on non-3D Touch devices. This includes older iPhones and the iPod touch.
• Apple has added a pair of new QR code and document scanner options to iOS 12 that can be accessed quickly by pressing the Notes or Camera icon on the Home screen with 3D Touch.
• AirPods are gaining the Live Listen feature found in hearing aids certified through Apple’s Made for iPhone hearing aid program.
• A new Automatic Updates option permits your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to automatically install the latest iOS software on its own as soon as new version is available.
• iOS 12 adds support for Hey Siri even when your iPhone’s battery is running low.
• The update prevents taking screenshots and accessing the Camera shortcut from the Lock screen when your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch has just been restarted or turned on.
• On iOS 12, iPhone X users can now swipe up to instantly close apps without holding them. This change was brought out to ensure iOS 12’s task switcher behaves consistently across iPhone and iPad.
• You can now add an “alternative appearance” under Face ID. In other words, you can now add another person who can open your iPhone X using their face.
• There’s also iPhone X-like gestures on iPad.