This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
The betas entered a new phase on January 24th. Apple released the first public beta of iOS 12.2, macOS 10.14.4 and tvOS 12.2 this evening.
After Apple recently launched a new beta phase for developers, the public beta versions are now following.
Apple News & Apple TV Remote
One of the biggest new features in the first beta under iOS 12.2 & macOS 10.14.4 is the availability of Apple News in Canada – in English and French. The News app was first released on September 16, 2015 under iOS 9. Furthermore, the control element for Apple TV Remote in the Control Center has been revised. The app now shines with a clean interface and can also be opened from the lock screen – now in full-screen mode.
Home & Wallet app
The Wallet app has also been revised. There is a new “Latest Transactions” section with new icons and groups. iOS 12.2 introduces support for other TVs through HomeKit. You can find out which TV devices are supported here. Compatible TVs can then be controlled using the Remote app.
Safari & Maps
In Safari, the suggestions for auto-completion when typing have a new arrow symbol. Under Settings in Maps, you can find a new category for climate with air quality index and weather conditions. There is also now the option to visit websites in dark mode. Users who visit websites without HTTPS encryption will in future be shown the label “Not secure”.
macOS 10.14.4
The biometric recognition technology Touch ID was first introduced in 2016 for the MacBook Pro series. The guys from iMore.com have discovered a new function that offers MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users more convenience. The portal reports on the Touch ID Autofill function. According to this, Touch ID Autofill for Safari can be activated via the settings. The new feature enables forms to be filled out automatically when surfing in Safari. This is done by placing your finger on the Touch ID sensor. The new version is an improvement on the existing Autofill function as you no longer have to click in the box. It is of course unclear whether Apple will include the feature in the final version. Apple has also expanded the Dark Mode. This can now be used on websites. The prerequisites for this are, on the one hand, that the websites in question offer such a mode and, on the other hand, that the user has activated it in the system settings.
