After running beta testings for several weeks, Apple finally released the second incremental update (iOS 10.2) for its latest and the most powerful mobile operating system i.e iOS 10. This update brings several new features, bugfixes, 100+ new emojis and a standalone TV app which replaces the outdated Videos App in iOS 10. The beta-testings for iOS 10.2 began on October 31, just days after the launch of iOS 10.1. The first incremental update (iOS 10.1) didn’t have much to offer apart from a new camera feature and several other bugfixes. So clearly this time, Apple didn’t want to leave any stone unturned. You can envision the efforts made by Apple from the fact that before the final release, it has fed seven beta versions to the developers and public beta-testers. Finally on December 13, Apple made it official.

What’s New In 10.2?

This new incremental update boasts several exciting features apart from the bugfixes that come along. It also brings a new TV app as a replacement to the Videos app.

The TV App

Apple has been working on this app for quite a long time and it has been redesigned several times to ensure that no flaws are left before the final release. With this new app, Apple aims to revitalize the TV watching experience of the iPhone users. Above all, the TV app provides an inclusive podium to watch all your favorite movies and TV shows at one place. So instead of downloading multiple TV apps for different channels like HBO Go, Hulu Plus and Netflix, you can have pretty much everything at the exact same place. Also, once you update to iOS 10.2, you will see a new TV service provider section in the settings where you can manage your connections. In addition to that, it brings a long-awaited single sign on feature which allows the cable TV subscribers to sign in with their given credentials post which, they will be able to watch all the media content provided by their Cable TV service provider.    

So that was about the TV app. This update has much to offer for all the iMessage lovers as well. iOS 10.2 offers a whole new fleet of emojis, adding 100+ new emojis and redesigning a number of existing emojis. Besides that, it adds two new screen-effects for the iMessage. The first one being ‘Celebration’ which shows exploding fireworks on the screen when you send a message. The other one is, “Send with love” which displays floating heart icons on the screen.

Other Notable Changes

• The Music app is also revamped, improving the sorting options. Also, the Shuffle and Repeat buttons have been readjusted so you can find them easily.

• Three new wallpapers have been added exclusively for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

• Talking about the photos, 10.2 boasts more powerful optical image stabilization and it enhances the frame-rates for the Live Photos. It also improves the ability to recognize faces in a photograph and grouping them into separate albums.

An over-the-air update for iOS 10.2 is now available to all the iOS 10 users. You can also download it for free via iTunes.