Apple Releases iOS 15.2 Developer Beta 2 With Major Improvements

Nov 10

Nov 10 Apple Releases iOS 15.2 Developer Beta 2 With Major Improvements

Apple released the second beta of iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 which bring a lot but important improvements including the new Apple TV application with the new Store tab. Let’s dive into the details and check what Apple is preparing for its next major iOS and iPadOS release.

Apple TV Application

Apple has proceeded with some changes in the Apple TV application, taking some steps in the right direction. Apple introduced a separate Store tab which now is a dedicated section for users to try and search better for all the available movies and tv shoes that they can either rent or purchase. So far, Apple TV+ and purchasable content appeared in the same tabs causing frustration among Apple’s user base. Furthermore, there is a new side menu on the iPad Apple TV app replacing the bottom menu. The new sidebar is also having a dedicated Store section.

Find My

Apple is adding more functionality in the Find My App. Two new options have been introduced in the items Tab:

Help Return Lost Item is a new feature that allows anyone who finds a lost AirTag, AirPods or any other supported item to check if the owner of the lost item has left any message that can help you return it to its owner. That’s really useful.

Items That Can Track Me feature allows you to search around you for nearby items that you suspect they are used to track your location.

App Privacy Report

“App Privacy Report enables you to check how apps are using the permissions you’ve granted them, which third-party domains they contact and how recently they made contact. iOS 15.1 has already allowed users to record their privacy app activity but iOS 15.2 goes one step further.

In iOS 15.2 beta (and iPadOS 15.2 Beta), this activity is presented in Settings in a new UI called App Privacy Report. This is a great opportunity to review your app’s sensor, data, and internet usage. To view your activity in the report, go to Settings > Privacy > App Privacy Report > Turn On App Privacy Report. Activity will show once you use your app.”

Auto Call / Emergency SOS Changes

Auto Calls are location-tagged emergency calls performed by your iPhone on iOS 15 in case of emergency. They can already be enabled by pressing simultaneously the volume and side buttons of your iPhone. Apple now adds a new way to perform this task, simply by rapidly pressing the side button five times.

Scheduled Summary (Notifications)

Notification summary was introduced by Apple in iOS 15.0 as a new way to help users manage better their iPhone notifications. With iOS 15.2 Apple tries to improve the existing notification summary menus which is now redesigned both when the menu is condensed or expanded.

New Child Communication Safety Features

According to Apple: “The Messages app will add new tools to warn children and their parents when receiving or sending sexually explicit photos.

When receiving this type of content, the photo will be blurred and the child will be warned, presented with helpful resources, and reassured it is okay if they do not want to view this photo. As an additional precaution, the child can also be told that, to make sure they are safe, their parents will get a message if they do view it. Similar protections are available if a child attempts to send sexually explicit photos. The child will be warned before the photo is sent, and the parents can receive a message if the child chooses to send it.”

Apple will be using on-device machine learning to analyze image attachments and determine a photos as appropriate or inappropriate without accessing or scanning the messages.

Legacy Contacts

Apple allows users to define a Legacy Contact that will take over the user’s digital legacy in case of death. More specifically, a legacy contact will be able to access and download data from this user’s account in case of death. However, the legacy contact will have to provide an access key and a death certificat before accessing the user’s account. Through this process the legacy contact will be able to access photos, videos, notes, documents and personal information to the family of the deceased user.

Hide Your Email In The Mail App

Apple has been providing its iCloud+ users with more privacy tools. Apart from iCloud private relay a very useful feature is the ability to protect your identity through sending emails without revealing your real email address in situations where you believe that something is suspicious. “Hide My Email lets you create unique, random email addresses so your personal email can stay private”. So far it was built in to Sign in with Apple and iCloud+, but Apple now adds this in the Mail App as well.

When a users attempts to send an email through the native Mail application, Apple offers the option to hide the real email address before sending the email. iCloud+, will generate as many random email addresses as needed.

Other New Tweaks

More options in the Podcasts settings
Customize notifications in the Apple News app

Have you installed iOS 15.2 beta and found anything new? Feel free to share your info with us by sending a message through our Instagram or Twitter page.