Following Apple’s release of the 2nd iOS 7 beta today (and the first iOS 7 beta for iPad), many are wondering exactly what is new and different in the latest build. While we refuse to break the non-disclosure agreement we signed with Apple, many other sites do not feel similarly, and several have outlined detailed lists of changes in the new beta. Aside from linking to a few of these roundups, we do not plan to cover ANY unannounced feature in depth.
First up, iDownloadBlog has a list of many of the changes they’ve observed through using the beta:
What’s new in iOS 7 beta 2
As we continue to dig through the new information in iOS 7 beta 2 this morning, we’ll be listing any major changes we find below:
- This release is all around snappier and more stable
- Voice Memos app is back
- Beta 2 is now available for iPad
- New male and female Siri voices
- The Messages app now shows contacts photos in conversation threads
- New animation when a message is sent
- A bigger “Send” button in Messages
- You contact’s Nickname now shows in Messages instead of his full name
- See Messages timestamps by swiping left
- Reminders app works now, and has received some UI touchups
- FaceTime app has a darker background
- Minor UI changes in Newsstand app
- Music controls are always on Lock screen when music is playing
9to5Mac has a nice hands-on gallery of many of the new features and visual changes, and MacRumors also has a continually updating list and explanation of many of the changes. To any of you using the new beta: What do you think of the changes? Let us know by sounding off in the comments!
Update: 9to5Mac also has a decent hands-on video of iOS 7 for iPad, embedded below.
