iOS 9.2 Tidbits: Top Stories for News, AT&T NumberSync, Mail Drop, USB Camera Adapter Support, and More

[ericg301]

I don't really like the idea of "Top Stories" as I feel it gives Apple a chance to editorialise a certain agenda, and given the politics that Tim Cook has been pushing...

yeah equality for all and privacy rights are so divisive.

 

[gsmornot]

I don't get this ATT extended wi-fi call. Could anyone explain this to me?

If you have an iPad and/or Apple Watch prior to this you could use continuity to make/receive calls through your iPhone using your devices. This worked similar to a bluetooth device like your car or a headset. Your phone, when close to you, would facilitate the call.

Numbersync on the other hand, uses the WiFi calling feature and your device ID's to complete calls over the AT&T network as if you were calling from your phone itself. With this feature on, you can leave your phone at home and with your iPad, connect to a WiFi network and make/receive phone calls as you could prior with continuity. An Apple Watch will do the same. The watch requires that you have connected to the network prior with your phone but it works. When I run, I only take my watch and headphones. I have places setup in my area that are known WiFi spots and now have the ability to make/receive calls with my watch while my phone is still at the house. Not often do you leave your phone but now if you do, you have a backup plan.

 

[posguy99]

Tried the News app (not available in Mexico) but Flipboard is vastly superior. Maybe in iOS 10...

I have no use for the News app, but it's hard to imagine Flipboard being superior to anything, with it showing the same ad interminably every 3rd or 4th card.

 

[LordQ]

I have no use for the News app, but it's hard to imagine Flipboard being superior to anything, with it showing the same ad interminably every 3rd or 4th card.

I've never seen an Ad on Flipboard. Am I missing something?

Oh, wait, I use Weblock. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/weblock-adblock-for-apps-websites/id558818638?mt=8

 

[2457282]

Top news was never updated in a timely fashion during beta. Found it quite useless. Let's see if it gets better support now that it's in the wild.

 

[APlotdevice]

The story says:

With iOS 9.2, iPhones are now able to support Apple's USB Camera Adapter and related accessories for importing pictures from a digital camera or DSLR. Previously, only iPads supported the USB Camera Adapter.

... So I'm not sure what's actually new.

The ability to import photos is new.

Incidentally, though you've always been able to plug in a keyboard and mic with the adapter (even the old dock version), it has never been an official function of the product.

 

[dave2010]

true, mine deleted more than 1100 songs, is a pain now downloading... anyway it seams genius suggestion works better now

I found problems with the iPhone trying to download that much Music at once. As I was heading out the door I signed out of Apple music and then back in so that it cancels the downloads.
Later on, probably in the Apple Store where music downloads seem extremely fast for some reason, I'll download some albums then do the rest tonight.

 

[skinned66]

I have no use for the News app, but it's hard to imagine Flipboard being superior to anything, with it showing the same ad interminably every 3rd or 4th card.

I was actually going to try it until I read this. Thanks for the warning.

 

[revox12]

GENIUS PLAYLISTS ARE BACK!! You can select "Create Genius Playlist" from the menu next to song listings, which means you don't have to start a "station" to hear similar music. I am 99% sure this option was not there previously in iOS 9.

 

[pat500000]

If you have an iPad and/or Apple Watch prior to this you could use continuity to make/receive calls through your iPhone using your devices. This worked similar to a bluetooth device like your car or a headset. Your phone, when close to you, would facilitate the call.

Numbersync on the other hand, uses the WiFi calling feature and your device ID's to complete calls over the AT&T network as if you were calling from your phone itself. With this feature on, you can leave your phone at home and with your iPad, connect to a WiFi network and make/receive phone calls as you could prior with continuity. An Apple Watch will do the same. The watch requires that you have connected to the network prior with your phone but it works. When I run, I only take my watch and headphones. I have places setup in my area that are known WiFi spots and now have the ability to make/receive calls with my watch while my phone is still at the house. Not often do you leave your phone but now if you do, you have a backup plan.

OH WOW. Such technology. If i have ipad with me..and left my iphone at home..i can still receive phone calls?

 

[gsmornot]

OH WOW. Such technology. If i have ipad with me..and left my iphone at home..i can still receive phone calls?

If you are connected to a WiFi network, yes. (after you complete the setup)

 

[pat500000]

If you are connected to a WiFi network, yes. (after you complete the setup)

Is there a specific way to do it?

 

[KPOM]

Go to settings>general>about you will get a prompt to update carrier settings. Once you have completed this go to setting>phone>calls on other devices... You will see the option to enable in there.

Thanks! It's nice having NumberSync back.

Is there a specific way to do it?

First update your carrier settings using the information in the quote above. Then follow the instructions at the bottom of this link.

 

[gsmornot]

Is there a specific way to do it?

Yes. Start here https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/numbersync-wifi-calling.1934785/
Also, search for Numbersync setup. There are several guides but the general idea is to start with the setup on your phone. You will need a 6 or newer. (6, 6Plus, 6S, 6S Plus). The settings are in the Phone settings. Once your phone is setup with the feature, you will look in Facetime settings on you iPad to set that up. Sorry this is brief but this thread is for Tidbits and not specifically how to setup the Numbersync feature.

Edit: Better yet, follow the post just before this one. A guide from Apple is better than a link to another thread. Thanks @KPOM

 

[0003462]

How do I go about turning on Top Stories? When the pop-up first appeared I touched Not Now :/

 

[dannys1]

"and playlists are ordered by most recent changes

YAEAHEAERAEHREKAHAHAHAHDHSKHAHAHSHSHS!!!!! WOOOO HOOOO!

 

[joeblow7777]

Why don't they bring back the feather theme wallpapers that disappeared from the iPad with 9.1 for some reason?

 

[dbbbear]

They still haven't fixed the dictionary bug and loads of intermittent layout bugs. What a joke.
What happened to Apple's QA department?

 

[C DM]

They still haven't fixed the dictionary bug and loads of intermittent layout bugs. What a joke.
What happened to Apple's QA department?

QA engineers don't fix issues.

 

[Haynzee]

Still no fix for music constantly pausing especially when driving (even when playing offline music only)

 

[MICHAELSD]

Performance on the 6s Plus and UI in general is finally as smooth as on the 6s!

 

[DrewDaHilp1]

Have they given us the option of removing News Preview on the search screen yet?

 

[supercoolmanchu]

If you are connected to a WiFi network, yes. (after you complete the setup)

Updated carrier setting, Wifi calling is active in Watch App settings on iPhone, but when I put the phone into airplane mode and try to make a call on my watch, I get "Call Failed". Am I missing something?

Using my home wifi, and there's no specific setting for selecting a network on my watch, but assuming that it already knows my network because my phone has been connected on it.

 

[Tumbleweed666]

******* finally!

Great news.

 

[paul00]

I think the USB camera kit allowed the iPad to connect to MIDI devices - does this mean we can connect MIDI keyboards to our phones? And play them in GarageBand etc.

Yes and no. My keyboards only work when plugged in through a passive splitter, otherwise I'm getting "not enough power" error message.