UPDATED 00:19 EST / JULY 06 2016

NEWS

New features in iOS 10 beta 2: Organ donation signup, Messages App Store, Music tweaks, more

It has been just over three weeks since Apple released its latest operating system, iOS 10, for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The operating system is currently still in beta and is only available to developers for testing, or non-developers who just could not resist getting their hands on iOS 10 early.

Apple has now made iOS 10 beta 2 available and with it come a host of bug fixes as well as some tweaked features.

We look at the various new features and fixes for iOS 10 beta 2, what features have already been revealed in iOS 10 beta 1 and how you can download the latest beta.

How to download iOS 10 beta 2

As mentioned, iOS 10 is currently only available for developers, with a public beta due out sometime this month.

If you already installed the iOS 10 beta 1 on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, then iOS 10 beta 2 is available as an over-the-air download.

If you did not download the iOS 10 beta 1, but are now interested it is possible to download it even if you are not a developer; however, you will need to sign up for the Apple Developer Program. Follow our instructions for downloading the iOS 10 beta and you can also check whether you have a compatible device.

If you would prefer to wait for the public beta due out later this month then you can follow our instructions on how you can enroll in the public beta program. Alternatively, you can remain patient until September when the public release will happen, likely around the time of the iPhone 7 launch.

New features revealed in iOS 10 beta 2, so far

In addition to a variety of bug fixes, the team at MacRumors have detailed some other features and tweaks that are now available in iOS 10 beta 2.

  • Become an organ donor on your iPhone: Apple have teamed up with Donate Life America and added the functionality for users to sign up to become an organ, eye and tissue donor directly on their iPhone. The organ donor signup is found under the Medical ID tab of the Health app.   
  • Messages App Store: The new App Store for Messages is now available, where users can download sticker packs, including Smileys, Hearts, Hands, and Classic Mac.
  • Messages: In the Settings section of Messages, there is now an option to send lower quality images when messaging friends. To enable go to Settings > Messages and toggle Low Quality Image Mode to On.  
  • 3D Touch shortcuts: iOS 10 beta 1 revealed a new 3D Touch shortcut for the Flashlight in the Control Center that allows you to control the light intensity between Low, Medium and High. The small tweak in iOS 10 beta 2 has changed the name from light intensity to Low, Medium and Bright Light and includes icons. While the Timer in the Notification Center now also includes icons for the different pre-set time intervals
  • Mail: In the bottom toolbar of the Mail app, the Filters icon has been updated from the funnel-style icon in iOS 10 beta 1 to a circle in beta 2.
  • Apple Music app: In iOS 10 beta 2, the Apple Music app has received a few tweaks including the ability to support Dynamic Type, which means if you select a smaller text size in Settings this will be carried across to the Music app. Other changes include music videos that can be played in fullscreen and the ability to view and manage a list of your active downloads. iOS 10 beta 2 tweaks for the Music app also includes the ability to sign into Apple Music on Sonos and get music suggestions in album pages. While in the Library the downloaded music section is now called Downloads and you can shuffle songs in song selection.
  • Apple Watch App: There is a new Featured Complications section that shows you various complications for different watch faces.  
  • Maps: iOS 10 beta 1 introduced the functionality to always know where you park your car, by marking the spot on the Maps app. iOS 10 beta 2 now allows you to decide whether you want your location marked. Go to Settings > Maps > toggle Show Parked Location to On.
  • Auto-Lock: Auto-Lock has moved to Display & Brightness in Settings from General.
  • Rest finger to unlock: In Settings > Accessibility > Home Button > there is a new option Rest Finger to Unlock that you can toggle On.   
  • Notification Center and widgets: In iOS 10 beta 2 you now have access to your widgets in the Notification Center and can access them from anywhere.

The features that have already been revealed by iOS 10 beta 1

iOS 10 has been touted by Apple as its biggest release yet and comes with a range of new features including the ability to remove default apps, new animation features and more for Messages, a variety of new 3D Touch shortcuts, the ability to add widgets to your Lock or Home screen, a Bedtime Clock feature to ensure you get the right amount of sleep, and more.    

Sources: MacRumors article and video walkthrough   

Image via: iphonedigital; Flickr

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