Apple today released iOS 12.1, the first major update to the iOS 12 operating system designed for the iPhone and the iPad. IOS 12.1 comes more than a month after the and a few weeks, a bug fix update.
The update is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the update, go to Settings - General - Software Update. As with all iOS updates, iOS 12.1 is free to download. Today's update adds quite a bit of new functionality to iOS devices, especially Apple's newest models, the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
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IOS 12.1 brings support for the eSIM, a digital SIM that lets you activate a cellular plan from a carrier without the need to use a physical SIM card. With eSIM support, dual-SIM functionality is available on the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, enabled through the existing physical SIM slot and the eSIM in all countries with the exception of China.
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In China, the new iPhones have two SIM card slots. Carriers will need to implement support for eSIM functionality to work even after it's been turned on in iOS 12.1. In the U.S., AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile plan to support eSIM. Also for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, the iOS 12.1 update introduces a new real-time Depth Control feature, which lets you adjust the depth of field of your Portrait Mode photos before you capture them.
In earlier versions of iOS 12, Depth Control is only available for. To use Depth Control when composing an image, tap on the 'F' icon at the top of the screen and then drag the slider to adjust the amount of background blur in the image. There are also new features that are coming to all iPhones and iPads. IOS 12.1 reintroduces the Group FaceTime feature that was from iOS 12 during the beta testing period because Apple needed more time to finish it. For more videos. Group FaceTime is designed to let iPhone, iPad, and Mac users with up to 32 participants at one time, with new camera effect features like filters, stickers, Animoji, and Memoji included.
Group FaceTime will be limited on older Apple devices. On iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, it will be available in an audio-only capacity with no video. Group FaceTime is not available on iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPad Air. Group FaceTime with video works on all other devices with an A8X processor or later. Other FaceTime features are included in iOS 12.1 as well, such as automatic detection of active speakers to surface the icon of the person who is speaking, ringless notification to let you join a call without being disruptive, and Messages integration for starting a Group FaceTime call right from the Messages app from a group chat. IOS 12.1 brings support for Unicode 11, adding more than 70 new emoji to iPhones and iPads. Options include face with hearts, woozy face, pleading face, red hair, white hair, superhero, raccoon, llama, peacock, mango, cupcake, bagel, and more.
We have a full list of all of the new emoji coming in the iOS 12.1 update. Apple told iPhone XR reviewers that the iOS 12.1 update will also to address complaints of excessive skin-smoothing by the front and rear-facing cameras in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. These phones use a 'Smart HDR' feature combine multiple images at different exposure levels, which can result in excessive noise reduction that creates a smoothing effect over the image, which is noticeable on skin. Apple is addressing this issue by using a shaper base frame for Smart HDR, as outlined in the release notes.
IOS 12.1 also addresses several bugs and improves performance. Notably, iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR users will be pleased to hear that the update improves cellular connectivity. Apple's full release notes, complete with bug fixes included in the update, are below: iOS 12.1 introduces Group FaceTime, adds over 70 new emoji, and includes support for Dual SIM with eSIM for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.
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Okay, off to a store. They do charge the $5 plus tax for the SIM card change, even though you're paying for a piece of cardboard.
If they don't know what the eSIM is, tell them it's a box of blue cards with a QR codes printed on them. My understanding is they got the cards a couple days ago, but no instructions on how the process works. 1a) Remove your existing SIM card for the line you plan to move to the eSIM 2a) Connect to a WiFi network in the store 1b) They change your IMEI and scan the ICCID on the blue card 2b) They go through the steps to change your SIM card and charge you $5+ 3) You scan the QR code with your iPhone and you are giving a choice of 'Primary' 'Secondary' etc., you can change the labels later 4) The eSIM provisioning profile is downloaded from the AT&T server and service is activated 5) You'll need to re-enabled WiFi Calling and other stuff since you technically have swapped in a new SIM card now.