iOS 10.2: what’s new?

Apple has only recently let everyone download iOS 10, but we’re already starting to see a flurry of updates, with iOS 10.1 released and now the first signs of iOS 10.2 making their way into the wild. There are a few updates worth knowing about.

Apple has released the first public beta version of iOS 10.2 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Previously only available to registered developers for testing, iOS 10.2 includes several upcoming features like Unicode 9.0 emoji, iPhone 7 wallpapers, and new camera features

These are the changes discovered in iOS 10.2 beta:

• Three new wallpapers in iOS 10.2 beta (only for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus): Though no other wallpapers have been discovered yet, iOS 10.2 beta 1 includes three new wallpapers not previously available. Simply named Droplet Blue, Droplet Red, and Droplet Yellow, each wallpaper has square dimensions to allow for space when selecting the ‘Perspective’ wallpaper
  

  

  

  

• New widget for Videos app: Similar to the Netflix widget, the new Videos widget shows you the program or film you’re watching, and with a tap you can jump straight back into it without opening up the app. A nice, if minor, touch.
• New Preserve Camera setting: There’s now an option that lets you save your previous camera settings. This lets you always jump straight into ’square’ photo mode, stick with the same filter or keep Live Photos turned off, depending on your preferences.

• New emoji (looks like Unicode 9.0 update/also on mac OS 10.12.2, watch-OS 3.1.1): A bunch of new emoji have been added in the first iOS 10.2 beta including a clown, croissant, shark, owl, butterfly and of course with brand new emojis of David Bowie. The figures of new professions such as firefighters, astronauts, teachers and more come in the new emoji pack – along with a character resembling Bowie’s iconic artwork to ‘Aladdin Sane’; complete with lightning bolt, flamboyant hair and even a very Ziggy Stardust jump suit. Acting as a template for various emotions, users will be able to make the David Bowie emoji shrug his shoulders, cross his fingers and even face palm. In fitting Bowie gender neutral style, the emoji comes in both male and female form.
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• What’s new in iOS 10.2: Anything else?
  Nothing huge, but ‘Bug Fixes’ is of course listed so hopefully some of those annoying glitches will have been stamped out.
  Also, New ‘Press and Hold to Speak’ menu under Home Button Accessibility settings, new ‘Celebration’ Messages screen effect, new ‘Show Star Ratings’ option under Music Settings and new headphone icon in status bar for Bluetooth audio devices (previously seen with the Beats Solo3).