Apple Just Released the First Public Beta for iOS 12.2

Public beta testers are no longer stuck on iOS 12.1.3. Apple just released the first public beta for iOS 12.2 today, Jan. 28. The company released the first developer beta for the software Thursday, Jan. 24, which includes new features for HealthKit and News, as well as a slew of hints for upcoming developments.

Even though iOS 12.2 is the first major-numbered iOS release since October, it's "official" new features aren't anything to necessarily write home about. According to Apple's release notes high, low, and irregular heartbeat notifications are now read-only files in the Health app, and the News app now works in Canada in both English and French.

Apple Pay Known Issues
You might be unable to authenticate within Wallet after selecting a card. (44919900) Workaround: On an iPhone with Touch ID, double-click the Home button when your iPhone is locked then select the desired card in Wallet and authenticate before holding your iPhone near the reader. On iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, double-click the side button, select the desired card in Wallet, and authenticate with Face ID before holding your iPhone near the reader.

Cellular Known Issues
You might be unable to purchase a prepaid data plan using cellular data. (47272516) Workaround: Connect to Wi-Fi then purchase the plan.

HealthKit New Features
High and low heart rate notifications and irregular heart rhythm notifications are now available as read-only category sample types. (46422154)

News New Features
Apple News will be available in Canada with iOS 12.2, and is now available for Canadian users on the developer beta. Apple News in Canada supports both English and French. Readers can access a bilingual experience when they follow a channel in a second language. Note: Publications in the beta do not reflect all content that will be available. Top Stories and Digests are not updated as frequently as they will be in the shipping product.

Siri Known Issues
Siri doesn't work in iOS simulators. (46681836)

Not included in Apple's release notes, however, are new features that are more exciting. According to 9to5Mac, we see a "Hey Siri" setup interface for the upcoming AirPods 2, hints of AirPlay 2 support in the HomeKit app, a new screen-mirroring icon in Control Center, a new Control Center tile for the Apple TV remote that now works with AirPlay 2 TVs, a new look for "Last Transactions" details in Wallet, a premium Apple News service that's in the works, a new Air Quality toggle in Maps, and a music player in Siri, when applicable.

To update your iPhone to iOS 12.2 public beta 1, you'll first need to sign up for the beta program and have a valid configuration profile. If you have iOS 12's new "Automatic Updates" enabled, you can let the software update overnight. To download the beta right now, however, launch Settings, select "General," then "Software Update." Tap "Download and Install," then follow the on-screen prompts.