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I still don't understand what Free Form is supposed to be. Why not update the notes app and just have Notes be Free form or whatever this app is supposed to do.
Not sure either - which is why I’m interested.

I use Notes daily on an iPad mini 6 w/ Pencil 2. Super solid for my note taking/sketching needs (for more robust sketching, Procreate is my go to). Free Form seems like what I’d want Notes to be. Looks like, at least for now, they’re going to keep them separate and focused on specific tasks: note taking and collaboration. Perhaps they’ll morph into one at some point. Or maybe remain separate but with tight integration. Either way, I look forward to exploring.
 
Customizing or choosing a specific Lock Screen should be done from Settings, not the actual Lock Screen. Or at least lock it down for when you don't want it to be changed.

I can't tell you how many times I've triggered the customization mode when I'm just trying to grip my iPhone or clear all notifications with that circled X button.
This.
 
Looks like more room for widgets during "Always On." Glad to see medication and package notifications. Things are fine now, but this makes it better.
 
How widespread is 5G in India?

It has just started deployment since this month but major parts of the main big cities have been covered with 5G. By 2023, Telecom Operators are touting complete nationwide coverage reaching nooks and crannies.
 
It has just started deployment since this month but major parts of the main big cities have been covered with 5G. By 2023, Telecom Operators are touting complete nationwide coverage reaching nooks and crannies.
That is awesome. Good for India.
 
Can we get the Allow Paste error message to stop popping up? Please!
It was mentioned Apple knows about it and was going to fix it with 16.1, but here we are... Still with the annoying pop up message. All... day... long... 🤷🏻‍♂️

(For me, it's with the Apple recommended SwiftKey)
 


Apple plans to release iOS 16.2 in December, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and a report about the update enabling 5G support in India. The update remains in beta testing for now, with many new features and changes already uncovered.

General-iOS-16-Feature-Yellow.jpg

iOS 16.2 introduces a number of new features, including Apple's new whiteboard app Freeform, two new Lock Screen widgets for Sleep and Medications, the ability to hide the wallpaper and notifications on the iPhone 14 Pro's always-on display, Live Activities enhancements, a rearchitected Home app, and more.

Freeform App

Freeform-App-Icon.png

iOS 16.2 includes Apple's new digital whiteboard app Freeform on the iPhone. The app provides an infinite canvas for you to draw on and insert sticky notes, text boxes, shapes, photos, videos, links, PDFs, and more. The app is also available on the iPad and the Mac, and you can collaborate with others in real time via FaceTime and iMessage.

Freeform is more useful on the iPad given the device supports the Apple Pencil, but you can still use a capacitive stylus on the iPhone.

Two New Lock Screen Widgets

iOS-16-2-Medications-Widget.jpeg

There are two new Lock Screen widgets for Sleep and Medications on iOS 16.2. With the Sleep widget, you can view your most recent sleep session and sleep stages, while the Medications widget can let you quickly access your medication schedule.

New Always-On Display Options

always-on-display-options.jpg

Starting with iOS 16.2, you can hide the wallpaper and notifications in always-on display mode on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. This results in the Lock Screen having a solid black, minimal appearance in always-on mode, similar to Android.

The new "Show Wallpaper" and "Show Notifications" toggles are located in the Settings app under Display & Brightness → Always On Display.

Live Activities: Sports Scores via Apple TV App

nba-live-activities-ios-16.jpg

iOS 16.2 adds Live Activities support for sports scores via the Apple TV app. The feature allows iPhone users to view live scores of MLB, NBA, and Premier League games at a glance on the Lock Screen, and in the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models.

During a Premier League match, for example, the Dynamic Island shows a live-updating scoreboard with the number of goals scored by each club. When long pressed, the Dynamic Island expands to show the time elapsed and play-by-play action. When an iPhone 14 Pro is locked, and on all other iPhone models, the score is shown in a Lock Screen banner.

To test the feature with an iPhone on the iOS 16.2 beta, open the TV app and tap on the "Follow" button for a supported game. Apple says the feature is available for NBA and Premier League games for users in the U.S. and Canada, and for MLB games for users in the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K., Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea.

Live Activities: More Frequent Updates

ios-16-live-activities-starbucks.jpeg

Live Activities will update more frequently on iOS 16.2 when a new "More Frequent Updates" option is enabled, allowing users to view more up-to-date information, but Apple warns this setting can drain your iPhone's battery faster.

It's unclear what the refresh interval is for Live Activities currently, but the new option will be even faster, which would be useful for tracking the arrival of an Uber vehicle or a Starbucks delivery order once those apps support the feature.

New Home App Architecture

homekit-showdown.jpg

After updating to iOS 16.2 and opening the Home app, an update to the app is available with new underlying architecture. Apple says the new architecture improves the app's performance, efficiency, and reliability for controlling smart home accessories. This comes after the Home app gained support for Matter accessories in iOS 16.1.

Unintentional Emergency SOS Call Reporting

If you accidentally trigger an Emergency SOS phone call, iOS 16.2 lets you report the incident to Apple and share iPhone diagnostics.

5G in India

iOS 16.2 will enable support for 5G networks in India on the iPhone 12 and newer, starting with carriers Airtel and Reliance Jio.

Article Link: iOS 16.2 for iPhone Expected to Launch in December With These 8 New Features
blah, blah, blah. Nothing useable for most people AT ALL. Just another download it's going to keep bugging me to get when I won't use any of it, or my phone isn't a 14 so half the download is already dead in the water.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: SkimPappa
always on display being updated i think is my favourite thing about 16.2. as much as I love my photo shuffle i would prefer an all black AOD. I imagine battery life will be much improved as well i would think.
 
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Reactions: sorgo †
No 3G toggle option? I know seem soutfated but 5G and 4G coverage in buildings, tunnels and shops (basement) is horrible, and iPhone 14 pro sometimes refuses to auto switch keeping 1 bar of dignal of 4G, before, with my iPhone 11 I could keep alwasy 3G, speed is quite fast to eatch videos and make videocalls, 5G is Ok to download large files but hey! Im using a phone, I just want decent performance anywhere not just peak download speed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sorgo †
No 3G toggle option? I know seem soutfated but 5G and 4G coverage in buildings, tunnels and shops (basement) is horrible, and iPhone 14 pro sometimes refuses to auto switch keeping 1 bar of dignal of 4G, before, with my iPhone 11 I could keep alwasy 3G, speed is quite fast to eatch videos and make videocalls, 5G is Ok to download large files but hey! Im using a phone, I just want decent performance anywhere not just peak download speed.
Sadly it seems 3G is being phased out these days/years.
 
I really hope that Homekit and the Home App will get a massive update. The present Home App is a sad joke. It is lacking the most basic functionality to make it even remotely useful. If it wast for third party apps like Home+ 5, I would have given up on Homekit.
 
Sadly it seems 3G is being phased out these days/years.
But the 3G coverage still beats 4G-5G and there is a high percetage of active terminals with only 3G.

The iphone 14 itself switchs to 3G when 4G is non existent. The problem is bad inplemented as iphone struggles to use 4G with 1 bar even if the performance is very poor, the option to manually sitch to 3G was something just few peolple realized how useful it is.
Apple is known for forcing market to move on, but that’s been proven this system no longer works in a such a large tech world.

This is not ditching CD reader, this is jut blocking the slot
 
  • Wow
Reactions: sorgo †
Customizing or choosing a specific Lock Screen should be done from Settings, not the actual Lock Screen. Or at least lock it down for when you don't want it to be changed.

I can't tell you how many times I've triggered the customization mode when I'm just trying to grip my iPhone or clear all notifications with that circled X button.
I miss the Live Photo on the Lock Screen. Customizing the Lock Screen shot be through settings!
 
i'm a middle aged Mom, so bear with me, it appears that apples new updates removes responsibility of there products to protect people but actually makes it easier for organized crime to stalk its victims, things they put in place to protect us, i have ongoing daily identity theft bullying in public stuff going on and whenever apple makes a software update my device becomes less secure, i don't have wi-fi at my ho
e but vpns and wi-fi are checking in with me daily, not sure what i'm saying im just watching my iphone so it's own thing
 
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