What’s New in iOS 10.2 Beta: Unicode 9.0 Emojis, Wallpapers and More [VIDEO]

Yesterday Apple released iOS 10.2 beta, along the first betas of macOS 10.12.2, watchOS 3.1.1 and tvOS 10.1. With every new beta release, the Internet pours through each release to find out new features Apple has in store. YouTube channel EverythingApplePro has posted a good breakdown of the update’s newest features.

YouTube video

The new beta includes hundreds of new emojis, include those from Unicode 9.0. Many emojis have also been redesigned to look even better.

Screenshot 2016 11 01 09 39 50

New features and settings in iOS 10.2 beta 1:

  • New wallpapers found in iPhone 7 marketing
  • Hundreds of new emojis from Unicode 9.0
  • Camera: new ‘Preserve Settings’ option for mode, filter and Live Photos
  • Widgets: new videos widget
  • Accessibility: new Siri option to now ‘Press and hold to speak’ with the Home button
  • 3D Touch: more transparent menus with Quick Actions on icons
  • New Cheers effect in iMessages
  • Apple Music: star ratings have returned
  • Bluetooth headphones now show a battery icon indicator beside them in status bar
  • Health: SOS option to send location to contacts via Apple Watch
  • Apple Music: Sort Songs & Albums setting gone
  • Messages: new option to Show Previews ‘When Unlocked’

As for being compared to iOS 10.1, Geekbench scores dropped slightly with iOS 10.2 beta 1, but performance-wise it’s not noticeable.

When will iOS 10.2 be released to the public? Probably not for at least another month or so, as Apple usually releases more betas for developers to test before the final update. iOS 10 had eight beta versions spanning over 90 days, while iOS 10.1 had five betas over the span of a month or so.

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