Apple has started rolling out the iOS 12.1 update to iPhone and iPad users worldwide. The much awaited update brings three key features to eligible iPhones and some to iPads as well. For iPhones, the update brings Group FaceTime calls, Dual SIM support, real-time Depth Control in the camera and new Emojis. iPads also get the ability to place Group FaceTime calls as well as support for 70+ new Emojis.
To check if you have received the update, head over to the ‘General’ tab under Settings and tap on Software Update to see if your device can be updated to the latest version of iOS. Below is a list of devices that are eligible to receive the iOS 12.1 update:
Supported iPhone models – IPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s
Supported iPad models – 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd generation, 12.9-inch iPad Pro 1st generation, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad 6th generation (2018), iPad 5th generation (2017), iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2
Apple first introduced Group FaceTime calls with the iOS 12 update, but the feature was in development for the longest time and is only now making it to eligible iPhones and iPads. With Group FaceTime, users can initiate video calls with up to 32 participants at the same time. Users can also add effects to their FaceTime calls such as stickers, filters, Animoji and Memoji. When an invitation is received, people can choose to join using audio or video from iPhone, iPad and Mac.
To make active speakers more prominent during Group FaceTime calls, their video window will automatically pop up when they start speaking. Apple says, “FaceTime uses on-device intelligence to display the most prominent speakers on the call.” Everyone else on the group call can see their image windows get resized automatically to accommodate that of the active speaker. Participants who are not active will appear at the bottom of the screen until they speak. A simple tap also brings a participant front and center.
A feature called 'Ringless notification' lets users join Group FaceTime calls instantly through a notification, without disrupting the ongoing call. Group FaceTime calls can also be initiated straight from iMessages if you are already engaged in a group conversation on the app. if people in a conversation have already started a FaceTime session, Messages shows the active call in the conversation list and inside your conversations.
Apple says all Group FaceTime calls are end-to-end encrypted, which means that no one, not even Apple, has access to them and they cannot be dug up later, even if requested by the authorities.
It is possible to control the depth in Portrait photos with the new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. But the feature would only allow depth adjustments after an image was clicked. Now with iOS 12.1, users can control depth information in real-time and dynamically adjust the depth of field while clicking photos, in addition to post-capture. Users will find a new ‘f’ icon at the top right of their screens in the camera app, tapping which, will bring up the depth slider. Portrait mode with Depth Control is also available on the TrueDepth camera for selfies, which includes Memoji. The update also adds faster face tracking support for third-party ARKit apps.
With iOS 12.1, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR get Dual SIM support – one nano-SIM and another digital eSIM. Users can activate an additional cellular plan from a carrier that supports eSIM services without having to use a physical nano-SIM. In India, Apple has listed Airtel and Reliance Jio as eSIM providers. We have reached out to Airtel and Jio to understand how and if iPhone users in India can activate eSIM support on the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR.
Lastly, Apple is adding more than 70 new emojis to iPads and iPhones with the iOS 12.1 update. There are new characters with red hair, gray hair and curly hair, a new emoji for bald people, more emotive smiley faces, additional emoji representing animals, sports, food, new emoji for moon cake, red gift envelope, nazar amulet, softball, lacrosse, luggage, compass, hiking boot, llama, mosquito, kangaroo, lobster, bagel, salt, cupcake, leafy greens and mango, and more.