Apple released iOS 17.2 Beta 1 to public beta testers on October 27th.This beta version includes the Journal app and Contact key validation. It’s not clear when iOS 17.2 will be generally available, but developers and beta testers can download and try the beta version and all new features now.
We recommend downloading the beta version to a device other than your primary device. Since this is not the final version of iOS 17.2, these features may have bugs and reduce battery life, so we recommend keeping them on a secondary device.
If you’re a developer or a public beta tester, here are some of the new features you’ll find in the first iOS 17.2 beta. Note that these may not be the only new features coming to iPhone when iOS 17.2 is released.
journal app
Apple announced that diary app It was announced along with iOS 17 at the company’s WWDC event in June, but the app was not included in the update release on September 18th. However, it now appears that the Journal app will be included in iOS 17.2.
Apple said at WWDC that the app uses on-device machine learning to create personalized writing suggestions. Some of these suggestions are made using information on your iPhone, such as the photos you take and the music and podcasts you listen to throughout the day. And if you forget, as I always do, the podcast you listened to earlier in the day, the app will show you that information when you try to create an entry.
Journal displays three reflections at a time by default.
The app also shows you several topics to write about, called “Reflections.” Some of my reflections included “Write about a time you gave someone an unexpected gift” and “Who cheers you up when you’re feeling down?”
However, if you don’t want to write about what you hear or don’t want to use reflection, new entry button.in new entrywrite anything you like, create a voice memo, take a photo, create a video and add it to your diary entry.
You can also lock the app after closing it for a certain period of time to ensure your privacy. So, if you close the app and don’t reopen it for a certain amount of time (such as 5 minutes), you’ll be prompted to enter your Face ID or passcode to reopen it.
Validating contact keys in messages
Apple announced Contact Key Verification in December 2022, but this security feature only appeared in iOS 17.2 Beta 1.
“iMessage Contact Key Verification allows users facing extraordinary digital threats, such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials, to further verify that they are sending messages only with the people they intend. You can choose,” Apple said in a statement. December news release.
Apple writes that while most people are not targets of cyberattacks, contact key verification provides an additional layer of security for those who may be.
React to live stickers
Honestly, a cardiac response is sufficient in this case.
Live Stickers are a new feature that Apple introduced with the release of iOS 17. This feature allows you to create your own stickers from the photos you take. With iOS 17.2 Beta 1, you can now use live stickers to react to text in your messages. To react with a live sticker, press and hold the text as you would to add a reaction, then tap . add stickers Display stickers in a drop-down menu.
More Memoji customization
In iOS 17.2 Beta 1, the Memoji editor has the following new menus: body You can edit the appearance of your Memoji’s body. This menu allows you to adjust your Memoji’s waist, bust, shoulders, and arms. However, as of this writing, there are only three options in each of these sections, so Memoji is not a complete character creation menu like you would find in a video game.
Catch-up arrow in message
New features in iOS 17.2 Beta 1 can help you understand what’s happening in your text message groups or if someone is sending you a lot of messages. The beta brings the catch-up arrow back to your messages, so if you wake up from a nap and get a ton of messages, you can jump to the beginning of new messages to catch up on the drama.
Catch-up arrows were present in some of the early iOS 17 betas, but have been absent since.
iPhone 15 Pro action button updated
Apple has replaced the mute switch on the side of the iPhone 15 Pro with an action button.
According to Apple News Blog iSoftware updateAn update will be made in iOS 17.2 Beta 1. iPhone 15 Pro action button. In the beta version, we added translation functionality to action buttons. This new feature will allow you to translate phrases and have a conversation with someone in another language.
Share content between iPhone and Apple Vision Pro
Apple announced the Vision Pro headset at its WWDC event in June. Although the Vision Pro is not yet available for purchase (Apple plans to launch the headset in the US in early 2024), iOS 17.2 Beta 1 introduces a setting that allows the iPhone to act as an additional screen.
This setting is called AirPlay Receiver and is located here: AirPlay and handoff In settings. Apple writes that AirPlay Receiver allows you to stream or share content from your Vision Pro headset to your iPhone.
Apple Music collaborative playlists
With iOS 17.2 Beta 1, Apple Music subscribers can collaborate on playlists with other subscribers. To collaborate together, go to your playlist and tap the person symbol with a plus sign in the top right corner of the screen.
updated weather widget
In previous iOS versions, the weather widget had three options: small tiles, medium tile bar, and large tiles that took up half the screen. As the size increased, all displayed current weather conditions in more detail.
However, in the first beta of iOS 17.2, there are six weather widgets to choose from. The first three are the original small, medium, and large tiles. All three new widgets are the same size as small tiles, but display more detailed information for the day.
One tile displays current conditions, precipitation, UV index, wind level, and air quality index. Another tile shows the current status and expected status for the next four days. The final new tile shows when sunrise and sunset are expected.
new digital clock widget
iOS 17.2 Beta 1 also updates the clock widget. Clock widget now offers a digital clock option to read the time easily.
The new digital clock widget is easier to read, and the new weather widget packs a lot of information into a small package.
News app supports live activities
The News app will also be updated with iOS 17.2 Beta 1. You can now enable Live Activity for apps, allowing you to track news events such as elections on iPhones that have Live Activity enabled.
Apple TV app updated
The Apple TV app will also be updated with iOS 17.2 Beta 1. Open the app and tap shop In the bottom menu, movie and TV program sectionacross the top of the screenIt’s gone.
Area awareness options for emergency alerts
Local awareness aims to improve the emergency alerts you receive.
In iOS 17.1 Beta 1, there is a new option in the Emergency Alerts menu called Local Recognition. Apple writes that when you enable this option, your approximate location will be used to improve the accuracy, timeliness, and reliability of the emergency alerts you receive.
More contact poster customization options
Contact Poster is another new feature that Apple introduced in iOS 17. iOS 17.2 Beta 1 allows you to further customize your contact poster by providing an option to give it rainbow colored text.
Apple has not announced a release date for iOS 17.2. The company is likely to include more features in his iOS 17.2, but there is also no guarantee that these features will be included in the update.
For more Apple news, see what Apple has announced. “Scary Fast” October eventwhat’s included in iOS 17.1 and the iOS 17 Cheat Sheet.
Look at this: iOS 17 still has surprises: overheating fixes, podcast changes, and more
