Apple released the first beta of iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 for developers on Tuesday evening. A few new features were added. Below is an overview.
After iOS 16.1 and Co. were officially released, Apple has now started a new beta phase. According to this, iOS 16.2 and Co. are available as preview We'll take a look at the new features Apple has added below.
iOS 16.2: Freeform App
Apple introduced the new cross-platform Freeform app in iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1. Freeform is designed for collaboration and can be used for taking notes, sketching, drawing, saving links, and more. Multiple people can work on the same Freeform document, with updates synced in real time for everyone involved. According to Apple, Freeform can be used to sketch projects, design mood boards, and brainstorm ideas, with the app serving as a creative digital space.
Stage Manager supports external displays
With iPadOS 16.2, the Stage Manager on M1 and M2 iPads can again be used with external displays. Apple had removed this feature in the first version of iPadOS 16 in order to extend the Stage Manager to the iPad Pro models A12X and A12Z. With support for external displays, the Stage Manager supports up to eight apps for multitasking purposes instead of four. However, this feature is limited to iPads with M1 and M2 chips.
New Home App Architecture
Along with the HomePod 16.2 software, iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 support an updated Home app architecture that accompanies the introduction of the Matter smart home standard. Apple says the new Home app architecture brings faster, more reliable performance in homes with lots of smart accessories. But it requires that every device accessing the Home be using the betas of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2, as well as the HomePod 16.2 beta software.
iOS 16.2: Extended 120Hz ProMotion support
According to Apple, on devices that support ProMotion, animated layout changes in SwiftUI are supported with a refresh rate of 120Hz. This feature was previously missing.
Unintentional SOS calls
Apple seems to be collecting data on accidental SOS calls with the new update. At least that's what one user on Twitter shown.
software updates
Apple has made a small change to the Software Updates section in the Settings app, which can be found under "General". The text of the installed software version is now bolder and therefore more visible.
iOS 16.2: Sleep widget for the lock screen
iOS 16.2 adds a sleep widget to the lock screen based on data stored in the Health app and collected from Apple Watch or other sleep-tracking devices. It provides information such as time spent in bed and sleep quality and is available in three flavors. A simple one-tile widget shows the time you spent in bed, two multi-tile options show either a bar graph showing sleep quality or a larger widget that shows time in bed along with a visual representation. Tapping the widget opens the Sleep section in the Health app.
TV app live sports results
The iOS 16.2 beta reinstates the Live Activities integration for selected sports games for the integrated TV app on the iPhone. The games can be followed in real time on the lock screen or on the Dynamic Island of the iPhone 14 Pro models. If anything else comes up in the next few days, leaks are discovered in the code or something similar, we will of course write about it as always. The official launch of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 and Co. will take place by the end of the year. (Photo by Unsplash / Daniel Romero)
