ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The new iOS 27.2 helps Siri AI better recall details from past chats.
- Plus, you can now use the front and rear cameras together on a FaceTime call.
- Apple also updated the iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and other devices.
Apple has kicked off its first major update for iOS 27 with the release of iOS 27.2 on Monday. Though the new version adds several intriguing changes, the ones for Siri AI may be the most helpful.
With this latest update nestled on your iPhone, Siri AI can now recall your previous conversations. That means you can ask it about topics you’ve discussed in the past, and it should remember what it told you and pick up on that in a new chat.
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Further, Siri will now be able to tap into more sources to deliver the information you seek. Those include voicemails, your reading list and history in Safari, photos in a text message, and people you invited to a calendar event. You can even choose which apps you want Siri and the iOS Search spotlight to access.
Changes beyond Siri AI
Next up is dual camera support for FaceTime calls. Here, you’re able to use both the front and rear cameras simultaneously on a single video call, either individually or on a group call. For example, you could stream yourselfar camera, so the person on the other end can see all of you at the same time. For this, the other person would also need to update their iPhone (or iPad or Mac) to the latest 27.2 version
For people who are deaf or hearing impaired, Apple now lets you add a third-party sign language interpreter or a live captioner to a video call.
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Speaking of views, a feature called Multiview Expansion is now available on the iPhone following its debut a few years ago on an Apple TV. With this one, you can watch as many as four sporting events streaming at the same time. These include Major League Soccer, Formula 1 in the US, and Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders during the Major League Baseball season.
With Formula 1 races, you’re able to choose different views, such as driver-view cameras and course maps. You do need an Apple TV subscription for this to work.
And there’s more. You’ll now see suggestions in the Messages app to help you perform specific actions based on the context of your conversation. For example, you may be prompted to add an event to your calendar or create a new reminder based on a chat.
Apple has also enhanced its Podcasts app. The Up Next section, which shows you the next podcast episodes awaiting you, now displays two rows at the top of the app’s Home screen. The one for New Episodes brings the latest episodes from the shows you follow, while the one for Continue Playing displays in-progress episodes sorted by the ones you’ve played most recently.
One more change focuses on shared photo albums. With the built-in Shared Albums feature, you can now edit captions and comments about the album, better avoid duplicate photos, and receive an alert before a shared album is about to expire.
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And there are two updates specifically for Apple’s new iPhone Duo. The foldable phone now supports the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil. Here, you’re able to draw in Notes and other apps, mark up documents in the Preview app, and use Scribble to write in any text field. Plus, the new Edge Light video illuminates your face on the Duo when you’re on a video call without much light, so the other person can better see you.
What’s missing and what’s ahead
iOS 27.2 is the first major update for the current OS. This follows the late September release of iOS 27.0.1, a minor update that squashed a bug that would cause the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max to freeze when you tried to use Face ID. OK, but what happened with iOS 27.1? That was reserved for the iPhone Duo.
One update still missing is the new and improved Health app. This appeared in the initial beta release for iOS 27.2 to give iPhone users a taste of what’s in store. But Apple is still reserving the changes to the Health app for later in the year, likely with iOS 27.3 in December.
As usual, the iPhone isn’t the only Apple device to get the latest update. Apple has also rolled out 27.2 versions for supported iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, Vision Pros, and HomePods.
How to get the update
To grab the update, at least on an iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, select General, and then tap Software Update. Select Update Now when the new version presents itself. Restart your device, and you’re in business.
