Apple has released a second version of iOS 12.1, which is specifically designed for the iPhone XR. This update most likely has a few bug fixes that were added since the original version was released last week.
iOS 12 screenshot Apple
Apple has released a second version of iOS 12.1, which comes a week after the original version was released. The second version of iOS 12.1 was designed specifically for the iPhone XR. The updated version of iOS 12.1 was sent over-the-air to iPhone XR devices that have not been updated to the original version yet.
According to AppleInsider, the build number for this version of iOS 12.1 is known as 16B94. This indicates that some changes were made from the 16B93 build number that was used for the previous version of iOS 12.1.
It is unknown what changes Apple made in this version of iOS 12.1 compared to the previous version. But most likely, it simply has a few bug fixes for the iPhone XR.
If you have an iPhone XR and have not upgraded to iOS 12.1 yet, then you can update by going to the Settings app > General > Software Update .
The new features included in the original version of iOS 12.1 include depth control in Camera Preview, Dual SIM Support, Group FaceTime and more than 70 new emoji.
Apple took a similar approach with the watchOS 5.1.1 update yesterday. The original watchOS 5.1 was released last week and quickly pulled back once it started “bricking” certain Apple Watch devices.
Here is a breakdown of the iOS 12.1 features that Apple rolled out last week:
Group FaceTime
Apple Group FaceTime Apple
Group FaceTime enables users to video chat between 2 and 32 people. Plus Apple implemented some simple ways to add another person to a FaceTime video call or join active FaceTime calls.
Plus you can use the same camera effects built into Messages for adding stickers and filters. In Group FaceTime sessions, you can appear on a video chat with Animoji or Memoji. Once you receive an invitation, you can decide if you want to join a session using audio or video from iPhones, iPads and Macs.
And Group FaceTime features automatic detection of active speakers. This means Group FaceTime uses on-device intelligence for displaying the most prominent speakers on calls by highlighting the current speaker and bringing them to the forefront.
The size of each person’s image varies depending on how active they are based on the duration of speech, motion and volume. For example, participants who are not active will appear at the bottom of the screen until they start speaking. But you can tap on that participant to move their screen front and center.
Once you call more than one person, Group FaceTime will display a notification that allows you to instantly join a call without being disruptive. This feature is called ringless notification.
Group FaceTime has been integrated into the Messages app so users can join from a group iMessage chat as well. If a Group FaceTime conversation is already in session, then Messages will show the active call in the conversation list and inside your group iMessage chats.
The Group FaceTime conversations have end-to-end encryption so that it can only be viewed only by the participants. And this applies for one-to-one and chats with multiple users.
More Than 70 New Emoji
New emoji on iOS 12.1 Apple
iOS 12.1 includes more than 70 new emoji for iPhones and iPads. This ranges from The new emoji ranges to new people characters, animals, food, sports, outdoor enthusiasts and icons for global representation.
Emoji characters represent people with red hair, gray hair, curly hair and those who are bald. Plus the smiley faces are more emotive.
There are food emoji like a mango, a cupcake, a bagel and leafy greens. Plus there are emoji representing sports like lacrosse and softball.
And there are new emoji for animals such as a llama, a raccoon, a mosquito, a kangaroo, a lobster and a swan.
There are emoji symbols for global users including a red gift envelope, moon cake, and a nazar amulet. And travel enthusiasts may enjoy using hiking boots, luggage and a compass emoji.
Depth Control For The Camera App
Depth Control Apple
For the camera app, there is a depth control feature for advanced depth segmentation in Portrait mode. This enables sharper portraits with professional-level bokeh. And the depth of field can be dynamically adjusted in real-time preview and post-capture. So users will have better control over background blurs.
Depth control also works with the Portrait mode on the front-facing TrueDepth camera. This feature also works well with Memoji and it offers faster face tracking support for third-party ARKit apps.
Dual SIM Support
iOS 12.1 also has support for Dual SIM on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. With this feature, you can simultaneously connect to two different cellular companies. The primary account is usually connected to an eSIM and a second account can be added to nano-SIM. And you can now activate an additional cellular plan from a carrier without needing to have a physical nano-SIM.
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