Everything That You Need to Know about the Newly Launched iOS 10.2 Update: Features of iOS 10.2 explained.
The iOS 10.2 update has been officially released on Monday by Apple finally and of course it is the news for the very obvious reason - being Apple software. This is the second big update, since the unveiling of iOS 10 on September. Earlier to this, iOS 10.1.1 update was available for users during Halloween, followed by seven beta tests to ensure better service.
A host of new features and bug fixes has been added in this version of software. More than 20 major and minor features have been brought to the Apple devices with this release.
Downloading iOS 10.2
This renewal is not allowed for all the devices of Apple though. The iOS 10.2 can be accessed by Phone 5 and later models, iPad 4th generation and later, iPod touch 6th generation and later.
For downloading the upgrade directly by the iPhone and iPad users by simply clicking onto the General tab in the Settings menu. The Software Update menu should be clicked next, which would enable the users to download and install the update.
The new version can also be alternatively availed by having the latest version of iTunes from the apple store and hooking your device to it.
Discovering the New and Renewed Features
Now, with the rolling on of any new service of Apple, the most common question that arises is – what’s new? So without wasting any time, we should plunge into the discovery pool.
The New TV App: A TV app, which was announced by Tim Cook in October this year at an event, was an awaited feature. It streams shows and videos for the users and is something that adds to the charm of the renewed software. The app is currently available only for the iOS users of USA but is expected to be rolled out soon in other countries also.
There is an “Up Next” section that shows a currently running programme and enables to watch it from where it was let off. Again the “Watch Now” section gives recommendations for various TV programmes and movies, whereas the “Store” section lets you keep track of iTunes and apps releasing newly. Also, the “Library” can be accessed for managing the purchases and rentals of iTunes.
The Single Sign-In Feature: The allowance of operation through a single sign-in is a feature that has been introduced in the upgraded software. The cable TV subscribers can now through signing in once, can check out the contents across various TV apps with this password sync function. This reportedly works with GTA, Hawaiian Telcom, DirecTV, Service Electric, Century Link Prism, Sling TV, Hotwire, Metrocast and GVTC.
Emojis Refreshed: This is probably the most highlighted part of iOS 10.2 since there is an addition of around hundred new and renewed versions of old emojis for the chat lovers. The emojis have been sharpened and improved so that they appear less-cartoonish and more protuberant.
A great range of interesting icons representing male and female professionals like fire fighters, astronauts, judges; new and improved food items, sports and animals; new expressions like shrug, crossed fingers, face palm and much more have been introduced so that the users can express themselves in a much better way.
Moreover, there is a male and female version of emojis called male singer and female singer respectively as an addition. The emojis may look generic in one glance, but if checked out sincerely they are dedicated to the great American singer-songwriter-actor David Bowie who expired this year. This is a nice way to pay tribute the innovator who ruled for about five decades in music industry.
The “Droplet” Wallpapers: Apple has added three new wallpapers in its iOS 10.2 which are named ‘Droplet Yellow’, ‘Droplet Red’ and ‘Droplet Blue’. These are static wallpapers in the black background. They look like the same coloured blob designs, which were used in the marketing material of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus and are exclusively available for the same models.
Camera with ‘Preserve Settings’: A new preserve feature is introduced in the upgraded software which retains the mode of the camera, the users had left with, instead of switching back to the default camera setting.
The function can be enabled by selecting the “Settings App” followed by “Photos & Camera” and then “Preserve Settings”. Again this Preserve Settings has three options – “Camera Mode” to preserve the last mode in case of Video or Square, “Photo filter” to retain the last used filter and “Live Photo” to preserve the live photo setting. These options can be toggled to, in order to prevent the respective features to get automatically reset to the default.
Instant Messaging with Background Effect: To add to the balloon, confetti and fireworks tactile feedbacks, two new effects have been introduced in the iMessage app of iOS 10.2 version. These are named “celebration” and “love” which appear as explosion of lights and blown heart flying across messages and disappearing.
The Better Looking Star Rated Music: The Shuffle and Repeat Buttons which looked like buns are now much detailed. The “Now Playing” screen can be swiped up to access “Shuffle”, “Repeat” and “Up Next” button easily. The users can sort, Albums, Playlists and Library as per their choice.
The Star Rating which was axed earlier has now been brought back in this update. By choosing the “Settings app”, “Music” and the “Show Star Ratings” option, music lovers can check the star ratings from the songs’ action sheets. However, that would not affect the “For You” recommendations for songs. The listeners of music may assign ratings from 1-5 to songs by clicking the “Rate Song” button and the songs with top ratings will be added to the “My Top Rated” playlist in the music app.
Other Improvements and fixes: A ‘headphone icon’ will be shown on the status bar on connecting the iPhone with any wireless Bluetooth headphone.
The video widget on lock screen is another introduced feature that lets users glide through the recorded videos added on camera roll.
Under the Settings App, by clicking onto the General, then Accessibility and lastly the Home button, there is a new button called the “Press and Hold to Speak”. By selecting the option, one can activate the Siri or Voice Control by pressing and holding onto the Home Button.
Inserting notification support for the HomeKit accessories, ensuring faster frame rate for live photos and opening of other apps, fixing various issues related to Mails, Accessibility, News, Messages, Photos, etc., have been taken care of in the iOS 10.2 update.
Looking at the offerings, it seems that Apple has tried and succeeded in giving an overall pleasant experience to the consumers of its devices. It will be even more interesting to see what all will be done in the next release to get over the missing improvements.
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