With the release of today’s iOS 9 beta, Apple has introduced several new features. The first on the list, and probably one of the most important, is support for Wi-Fi Calling on AT&T. In previous betas the feature was limited to T-Mobile’s network, but it appears the final version of the software will enable it on multiple carriers.
At the moment, AT&T doesn’t actually support Wi-Fi calling from any device, but has previously promised that the feature would eventually be made available some time this year.
At the moment, switching on Wi-Fi calling presents users with a web page stating that “Wi-Fi Calling is not available in the area yet.
Whether AT&T will also gain support for the currently T-Mobile-exclusive Cellular Continuity feature, but at the moment AT&T phones running beta 5 still don’t show that option.
CarPlay
Several tweaks have also been made to the CarPlay interface, including the addition of larger artwork and support for liking songs with the heart button that first debuted in the most recent iOS update. The Now Playing screen has also received some design tweaks.
Wallpapers
A whole host of new wallpapers have been added to the new iOS 9 beta. These range from abstract waves of color to photos of planets suspended in a stark black background. Additionally, Apple has removed some older wallpapers, including the stock designs for the iPhone 5c and the default iOS 9 wallpaper that was demonstrated at WWDC.
You can take a closer look at these wallpapers on our roundup.
Handoff/Suggested Apps
The settings for the Handoff & Suggested Apps feature have also been reworked, removing the option to get App Store suggestions on the lock screen. Instead, you’ll only see suggestions for apps you already have installed.
“Shuffle All” option in Music
You can now shuffle all of your music at once with an option tucked away at the top of the Music app.
Calendar splash screen
A new splash screen greets users the first time they launch the Calendar app. It explains the new features.
More keyboard tweaks
Following up on the changes to the Shift key in iOS 9, Apple has tweaked the keyboard a bit more, changing the glyphs on keys like Delete, Shift, and Dictation.
Wi-Fi Assist
A new cellular setting called Wi-Fi Assist allows the phone to automatically switch to a cellular data connection when you have a bad Wi-Fi connection. The toggle is hidden at the bottom of the Cellular settings screen.
Text Replacement
Text shortcuts in the keyboard settings have been renamed “Text Replacement” to match the label on the Mac.
Siri Suggestions design tweaks
A small tweak to the Siri screen removes the labels from the call, message, and FaceTime buttons when you tap a contact’s picture. (Thanks, Jorge)
Updated Activity app design
Apple has made some changes to how the Activity app looks and behaves. (Thanks, Kyle)
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How about a more versatile Phone app? With support for data-only calling with full SIP for VoIP? I don’t want a voice plan on my phone, but I’d love to use Apple’s dialer and Phone app instead of a third party app that isn’t fully integrated with the OS.
You don’t want a voice plan on an iPHONE? Then get an iPod. No you’re not going to get access the PHONE dialer and PHONE app without a VOICE plan. smh
No reason to get upset here.. He says he’s using a VoIP plan: Voice over IP. He probably has a conventional phone number on which he can be called etc, but it uses his data plan. At this moment, this kind of setup is not supported in the iPhone.
An iPod? I didn’t say anything about WiFi-only, did I? An iPod doesn’t have any cellular radio in it at all, including 2g, 3g nor LTE. FFS, an iPod.
The voice line component of a cellular plan is used less and less every day. Some people never use any voice minutes at all. The technology for voice calls by comparison to data is positively antiquated. Voice quality with VoIP is an order of magnitude better than over standard cellular if you have a good (enough) data connection. I’ve been 100% data-only at home and office for over 10 years, why wouldn’t I want that on my mobile?
It’s possible to do data-only on iPhone now, but then the Phone app just goes totally unused which is a damn shame because it integrates a number of features like contacts and VM, plus its dialer is the default when a number is called from any other app. It also takes up system resources and memory which are a total waste if you’re only going to be using a third-party program to duplicate that functionality.
I agree. The phone services need to be cut off and just give us unlimited data plans. Everything should run through the Internet instead of outdated voice technologies. VoIP is the future and every carrier should follow google voice’s plan but reveresed – 20 for unlimited data and texting, 10 for calling.
Interesting. Im on AT&T w/ iOS 9 Beta 5 and I see no WiFi Calling option. Anyone else getting this?
Hmmm, weird. I can see it here on AT&T. I’m on an iPhone 6. Are you?
This feature is only available on iPhone 6 and 6+
Yeah, that’s why I was asking. If he’s on a 5s or something it won’t show.
what’s even weirder is the WiFi calling option has worked perfectly fine on the 5s with T-mobile. Why is AT&T such an ass butt
It’s under the “Phone” section. I also made the mistake of searching it under “Cellular” at first.
I have a 5S. Im surprised it only works for the 6 and 6+
iPhone 5s here and no wifi calling option either.
I LOVE the Shuffle All. I had a heck of a time trying to find it the other day when i finally upgraded my phone.
Fuck yeah wifi assist. This is a big deal for a beta 5 feature.
ageed. nice option. may help resolve what I call the xfinitywifi bug. Living in a predominantly Comcast area (our only other choice is FairPoint, which is slower and more expensive) – since Comcast automatically turned that “benefit” on, whenever I drive down certain roads, I effectively have no data service because it keeps trying to connect to it. I usually forget the network, but it is convenient in some places.
If you’re connected to one of those awful xfinitywifi stations, you can actually go into the iPhone’s wifi settings and tap the i button next to that network, then turn off “auto-join” and get rid of that whole problem all at once.
anyone else notice that the phone app now appears in the privacy>location settings?
Not showing there for me. Wonder what it’s doing with that? Cell search maybe?
I just got a prompt to add an iCloud Drive app to my home screen.
Communication icons for contacts on the siri suggestions / spotlight view, look bigger, and with no text
Good catch! Added that to the post, thanks!
Awesome!
Wallpapers from my nokia N8 i still have it in my phone (original walls not downloaded)
WiFi calling is working for my Sprint iPhone 6
It has been since iOS 8-point-something.
News disappeared for me =(
You can activate Bluetooth via siri again
You can now move files into folders inside folders on iCloud Drive (this was not possible on last beta)
I’ve complained in the feedback app about the carplay album artwork in every beta. Looks like someone was actually listening.
There’s a New “Add to news” option on the share sheet safari
I remember that from at least the last beta, maybe the one before.
This code has also been pushed out to Public Beta testers as Public Beta 3
There’s also a new progress indicator for iCloud Photo Library, which shows how much MB have been uploaded.
“Siri screen removes the labels from the call”
What???
If someone has 3 different phone numbers (home, cell, work) you will see 3 phone icons but not know which to click on!!!
An action sheet slides up with their phone numbers listed, like when you choose to add a contact to your favorites in the Phone app
I just downloaded the new beta, and since I have AT&T I went to look for the “Wifi Calling” option and it’s nowhere to be seen. Am I missing it?
You need an iPhone 6. It’s inside the Phone settings page.
Still no News app in UK. 😔
Added “tap at top” in News app to go to most recent stories. Wasn’t working in past betas.
I wish the iOS had a nightstand mode so that I can see the time easier when my phone is docked horizontally. Unless this is already an option??
Only on the Watch. I’m sure there are App Store apps that could do this though. I don’t know of any, but there’s probably at least one.
Changing region now restarts/resprings
I love this update. They fixed the bug where the settings app crashes when changing tones. They also fixed my problem with the app store where it asks you to type in your email and password a lot of times.
Will check:
Play count sync (iTunes) fails in Public Beta 2
iBooks sync from iTunes to iPhone fails in Public Beta 2
Only remaining problem is the News app.
Is it area based? I’m using 5s, is it a 6 and 6+ exclusive?
Gief news for all regions even if it is just yanky and pom content.
Since Beta 3: Audiobooks have Chapters back (in Menü) with generic names, plaing- and resting-time of a audiobook chapter, scrubbing in chapter timeline.
Since Beta 5: Audiobooks have back original chapternames.
Bugs since 7.x: Missing Chapter-Covers of audiobooks or podcasts
Bugs since 5.x: Joining chapters with identical title in M4B/Mp3 audiobooks
I had been having connection issues with Bluetooth and my Fluance Fi30 in Public Beta 2 (frequent dropouts), but they seem to have fixed it. Nice! iPhone 6 here.
WiFi calling for sprint is working fine for me!
Very little of use for my iPad Air 2 although it feels slightly snappier.
WiFi calling has been a feature since iOS 8, and everyone who has iPhone 5S and better can use it, as long as their carrier supports it (in America, currently that is only T-Mobile).
Now you can hold reload button to request desktop site (iOS 9 beta 5) I’m not sure if this new or not but to share the info
Wifi calling works really well. What a lot of people don’t realize is that it only kicks in when you have both wifi coverage and your cell signal dips below a certain point. I didn’t realize this until I called Apple support and they said that both conditions need to be in place for it to work.