Apple Releases Third Developer Beta of iOS 12.2

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming iOS 12.2 update to developers for testing purposes, two weeks after seeding the second beta of iOS 12.2 and a week and a half since the launch of iOS 12.1.4.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 12.2 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center.

The third beta of iOS 12.2 may include a Group FaceTime fix that allows iOS 12.2 users access to Group FaceTime once again. Apple shut down its Group FaceTime servers after a major privacy-invading Group FaceTime bug was found a couple weeks ago, and later limited the Group FaceTime feature to those running iOS 12.1.4, an updated version of iOS that fixes the bug. The same fix will likely be extended to iOS 12.2 as this is the first iOS 12.2 beta released since it was deployed in the release version of iOS.

iOS 12.2 expands Apple News to Canada for the first time, with Canadian iPhone and iPad users able to read news stories in English, French, or both. Apple says that during the beta, content will be more limited than it will when the update is released.

There are new Animoji in the iOS 12.2 beta, including a boar, a shark, a giraffe, and an owl. Animoji can be used within the Messages and FaceTime apps.

The software introduces support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on third-party TVs in light of recent AirPlay 2 announcements, with a new option for limiting TV access joining the speaker access option in the Home app. There's also a redesigned TV remote in Control Center, and when paired with tvOS 12.2, you can ask Siri to play specific TV shows, movies, and music on your HomeKit devices like the Apple TV.

For some AT&T users, there's a new "5G E" icon for the cellular signal, replacing the standard LTE icon. This is a bit misleading of AT&T, because the iPhone does not support 5G, nor is the network AT&T calls 5G E actual 5G. Instead, it's an upgraded version of LTE, with more info available here.

The Wallet app's interface has been streamlined and tweaked, there's a new interface for Apple Pay Cash, and the Downtime feature in Screen Time now allows you to customize by day. Apple has also made minor changes to some icons, including the AirPlay icon, and introduced new Safari features, with a full list available in in our iOS 12.2 tidbits post.

Apple is improving Safari's privacy in iOS 12.2 through a new Motion & Orientation toggle located under Settings > Safari > Privacy > Security, which is disabled by default. The setting needs to be enabled on to allow websites to display content that relies on motion data from the accelerometer and gyroscope in the iPhone and iPad.

iOS 12.2 confirms that Apple is planning to release second-generation AirPods with "Hey Siri" support, thanks to a hidden "Hey Siri" AirPods setup screen in the beta. The inclusion of the AirPods setup option in the beta indicates that Apple could perhaps be planning to release new AirPods when iOS 12.2 is released.

The update also features hints of an upcoming Apple News subscription service, which could see a Texture-like magazine service added to Apple News. The iOS 12.2 update is likely to see several rounds of beta testing before it launches to the public.

There are multiple new features in iOS 12.2, along with bug fixes. We rounded up everything that's new in the beta in our iOS 12.2 beta 3 tidbits post.

Article Link: Apple Releases Third Developer Beta of iOS 12.2

 

[GregJohn]

Likely just the FaceTime update from 12.1.4
Hopefully more

 

[nekonokami]

Hoping that this fixes the freezes and keychain glitches.

And the GPS being waaaay off and only a restart fixed it.

8+

 

[Superhappytree]

Hopefully this one fixes the annoying Safari blank page bug.

 

[AngerDanger]

iOS 12.2 expands Apple News to Canada for the first time, with Canadian iPhone and iPad users able to read news stories in English, French, or both. Apple says that during the beta, content will be more limited than it will when the update is released.

I've warned you before about embedding a MacRumors article inside of a MacRumors article!

Well, it's too late now; the site is self-aware. Those forum outages yesterday were only the beginning…

 

[cliffster82]

Not even kidding, going to the store today to buy AirPods. I knew AirPods 2 were coming soon, but this sounds like sooner than later (i.e. Spring announcement). Do you think 12.2 will come out well before WWDC?

 

[johnyslats]

Not even kidding, going to the store today to buy AirPods. I knew AirPods 2 were coming soon, but this sounds like sooner than later (i.e. Spring announcement). Do you think 12.2 will come out well before WWDC?

Yes - I'd expect it out around the end of March event. I think AirPods 2 around that time/April also

 

[tkukoc]

Not even kidding, going to the store today to buy AirPods. I knew AirPods 2 were coming soon, but this sounds like sooner than later (i.e. Spring announcement). Do you think 12.2 will come out well before WWDC?

12.2 will be released well before WWDC. As far as IOS 12 goes.. they'll probably settle around 12.4 in total as the year moves forward. And of course WWDC will debut IOS 13 beta.

 

[Braderunner]

Hopefully, this will fix the issue with random missing iMessage notifications.

 

[cliffster82]

Yes - I'd expect it out around the end of March event. I think AirPods 2 around that time/April also

12.2 will be released well before WWDC. As far as IOS 12 goes.. they'll probably settle around 12.4 in total as the year moves forward. And of course WWDC will debut IOS 13 beta.

Yes that all sounds right. Makes buying AirPods today seem real stupid. I want some wireless buds bad, but I've already waited this long so..

 

[rjohnstone]

For some AT&T users, there's a new "5G E" icon for the cellular signal, replacing the standard LTE icon.

It doesn't replace the LTE icon, it simply adds it as an optional signal display when in an LTE-A (fake 5G) area.
I saw it on my phone when I was in Washington D.C. this weekend, but have the LTE icon here at home.

 

[blacktape242]

hope they fix the problem where people cant leave voicemails. It keeps saying its full when there are no voicemails anywhere to be found. its been highly annoying.

 

[Der Keyser]

Great... More emojii’s but nothing usable towards getting iOS better at doing real work.

Come on Apple, expand the “Files” app/shortcut to really allow usage in all apps!
And get it to show content of Cardreaders/USB devices as well so we can import files directly into apps.
I still feel like 1987 when I have to import images into photos to then import/copy them into Lightroom..... How stupid a workflow/waste of space.....

 

[tkukoc]

Yes that all sounds right. Makes buying AirPods today seem real stupid. I want some wireless buds bad, but I've already waited this long so..

Either way, AirPods are pretty awesome! If you get them now and don't care about wireless charging, there's deals out there. If you wait, there will probably be some more deals as the original stock is depleted just to push the wireless charging aspect. And course AirPods 2 may or may not have much in terms of extras.. Always a gamble as you get closer to seeing a new product line from Apple. But.. you really can't go wrong with the current AirPods. I don't plan to buy AirPower and plugging in a cable to charge AirPods once and a while is super easy so for me I'm good with my current gen. Even though the batteries on mine are definitely showing their age, they still work and are one of my fave Apple products.

 

[itsmilo]

Did they fix the charged being displayed on the Lockscreen constantly?

 

[cmaier]

Did they fix the charged being displayed on the Lockscreen constantly?

Until it’s released, how would anybody know?

 

[gsmornot]

I'm waiting for the next AirPods with plans to hand my current AirPods down. I don't need the new features but if I'm going to buy another set I might as well wait it out.

 

[itsmilo]

Until it’s released, how would anybody know?

Ooops i read the title wrong

 

[cliffster82]

Either way, AirPods are pretty awesome! If you get them now and don't care about wireless charging, there's deals out there. If you wait, there will probably be some more deals as the original stock is depleted just to push the wireless charging aspect. And course AirPods 2 may or may not have much in terms of extras.. Always a gamble as you get closer to seeing a new product line from Apple. But.. you really can't go wrong with the current AirPods. I don't plan to buy AirPower and plugging in a cable to charge AirPods once and a while is super easy so for me I'm good with my current gen. Even though the batteries on mine are definitely showing their age, they still work and are one of my fave Apple products.

Thanks for the tips, really. I think I'll get them anyway. AirPower is not something I care about so neither is a wireless AP case.. but if the new ones actually improve earbud battery AND come in black, then I'll have to sell/return these.

 

[hsotnicam8002]

Why no ‘Hey Siri’ with the original AirPods?

 

[tkukoc]

Why no ‘Hey Siri’ with the original AirPods?

That one escapes me as well. They could have done it, yet didn't. Needed another feature to sell AirPods 2? Considering they showed it off last year, one assumed AirPods 2 was going to include them. Or at the very least a software/firmware update would have allowed such an addition in AirPods 1.

 

[cmaier]

Why no ‘Hey Siri’ with the original AirPods?

No low-power circuitry to continuously monitor for speech to compare to “hey Siri.”

 

[blackhawk10]

We have weak AT&T cellular signal in our house, so calls are via wi-fi calling on XS-Max. Problem: Call are dropping or fading out at times. Any tips or ideas? Hope next update can fix the issue.

 

[DevinNj]

Yes that all sounds right. Makes buying AirPods today seem real stupid. I want some wireless buds bad, but I've already waited this long so..

I'm in in the same boat as you are. I just picked up cheap earbuds from Amazon until Airpods 2 come out for $30 and surprisingly, they're not that bad.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

I’m surprised Apple is giving AT&T a 5G icon. I really despise companies that try to mislead consumers and AT&T is as slimy as they come.