Apple releases iOS 10.2 and its companion TV app
Apple TV owners get a big update, too.
Apple is making good on its promise of giving you a unified video streaming experience. The company has released iOS 10.2 and tvOS 10.1, both of which include the company's centerpiece TV app. So long as a given service supports the feature, you no longer have to jump into and out of apps to catch up on your viewing -- you can resume your favorite show or check out recommendations from a single place. Netflix isn't included in TV at the moment, alas, but this and the recently launched single sign-on should save you a lot of hassle.
Accordingly, Siri is more TV-savvy. You can ask it to continue watching a show on any device. On Apple TV, you can also tell it to watch live news and sports, including a glimpse of what's live at any given moment. And if you're not sure what to watch, Siri can offer recommendations.
The iOS update isn't just a one-trick pony, of course. It includes a slew of new emoji, including a face palm, a gorilla (read: Harambe) and female equivalents for most job emoji. And of course, there are numerous subtler tweaks. You'll see improved music controls with quicker access to your queue and shuffling, better stabilization and improved frame rates for Live Photos, a dedicated News app section for saved articles and notifications for smart home devices like smoke detectors and door sensors.
Combine these with general fixes (there's a significant upgrade to Bluetooth performance, for example) and you'll definitely want to upgrade -- if just to see Apple fulfill one of its big end-of-year promises.
