Apple releases iOS16 Beta 2! Let's take a look at what's updated

Apple recently pushed the iOS/iPadOS 16 Developer Preview Beta 2 update (internal version number: 20A5303i) to iPhone and iPad users. This update was released 16 days after the last release.

iOS 16 introduces a revamped Lock screen that offers new levels of personalization and customization through widgets, redesigned notifications, and adjustable fonts and colors. Multiple Lock screens are supported, similar to Apple Watch faces, and can be associated with Focus Mode.

Focus mode is easier to set up and more customizable than before, and filters can be used to eliminate distracting content in apps. Messages now supports editing iMessages, unsending iMessages, and marking conversations as unread, as well as SharePlay, just like FaceTime.

The Mail app has improved search and tools, including the ability to set up sending and canceling in advance, and Mail will detect if the user has missed something important in the email, such as an attachment. Users can also use the reminder later feature to choose to redisplay a certain email at any specific date and time, and the follow-up suggestion feature will automatically remind users to follow up on emails that have not yet received a reply. Safari supports shared tab groups, which can be used to share multiple websites with friends and family at the same time, allowing users to smoothly and freely create new tabs and view other people's current browsing content. Apple is using pass keys to replace passwords, which is a more secure way to log in with biometrics.

iCloud Shared Libraries allow users to more easily share photos with family, and live text is supported in videos. As part of visual finding, you can also cleverly extract the subject from the background with a click.

The dictation feature brings a new device-side experience, allowing users to switch freely between voice and touch input. Apple Maps has added a multi-point route planning feature, allowing users to pre-enter up to 15 stop points. Apple Pay Later supports installment purchase payments, and the Home app has also been completely transformed and has a new look. On iPad, support for front-end scheduling has been added, similar to Mac multi-tasking window processing, but only limited to M1 iPads.

Here are the iOS 16 / iPadOS 16 Beta 2 updates:

Lock screen photo wallpaper customization

When customizing photos on the lock screen, new filters "Duo Tone" and "Washed Color" can change the appearance of the photo wallpaper.

Wallpaper Edit

In the Settings app, the Wallpaper section has been tweaked to make it easier to customize your home and lock screens with different wallpapers. There are new Customize options under the Lock screen and Home screen options, making it clearer which settings you can adjust.

When selecting the look, there is also the option to "Set as Wallpaper Pair".

Wallpaper Photo Editor

If users set a photo as wallpaper, Apple will inform them that they can use the pinch gesture to adjust the image and crop it.

Remove lock screen

It’s now easier to delete your lock screen by swiping up. Just swipe up on the lock screen and you’ll see the trash can symbol, similar to deleting a watch face on Apple Watch.

Backup over LTE

iPhone and iPad users will be able to back up their devices over an LTE cellular connection in addition to a 5G or WiFi connection. Apple introduced support for 5G backups in iOS 15 and expanded it to LTE in iOS 16.

Astronomy Wallpaper Location

Astronomy wallpapers now display a green dot to let users know where they are. The dot appears in the Earth wallpaper options, but it does not stay on the wallpaper all the time, but is only visible when editing the wallpaper. These dynamic wallpapers are now supported on older iPhones as well.

Apple Cash and Apple Card

The Apple Cash Send and Request interface has changed in iOS 16 Beta 2. It’s now one combined button instead of two separate buttons, and the balance is displayed more clearly.

For Apple Card, the Weekly Activity section also lets users see how much Apple Cash they’ve earned that week.

screenshot

When saving screenshots, there is now a "Save to Quick Notes" option, which previously included Save to Photos, Save to Files, and Delete Screenshot options.

SMS filtering

According to Apple's release notes, developers will be able to sort incoming SMS messages from unknown numbers into 12 subcategories, including transactional and promotional categories, for improved organization.

For users in India, the Messages app supports event extraction from SMS. Event and appointment messages appear as Siri suggestions and are presented to users in message threads and calendar inboxes.

Spam Report

For some US carriers, Messages in iOS 16 Beta 2 expands the "Report Junk" feature, allowing users to report SMS/MMS spam to their carrier. The option is visible in messages from unknown senders.

mail

The new email feature will display a digitally certified email logo using a system called Brand Indicators for Message Identification, or BIMI.

iPadOS 16 front desk scheduling

In iPadOS 16 Beta 2 on compatible iPads, there are new Forefront settings under the Home Screen & Dock section of the Settings app. Options to hide recent apps and hide the Dock when using Forefront are shown.

translate

The Translate app now supports Turkish, Thai, Polish, Indonesian, and Dutch.

HealthKit API

For developers, the HealthKit Exercise API supports multi-sport workouts including swimming, cycling, and running.

iOS 16 Beta 2 also adds HealthKit support for the new running workout metrics announced by Apple at WWDC22. Workout metrics include running speed, running efficiency, stride length, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation.

New data types can be used to track atrial fibrillation history.