Apple Releases iOS 27.2 With iPhone Duo Pencil Support and Multiview
Apple released iOS 27.2, introducing Apple Pencil support and Edge Light for the iPhone Duo, expanding Multiview to four simultaneous sports streams, and enabling Dual Capture in group FaceTime calls. The update also adds Siri AI in five new languages and context-sensitive Message actions, enhancing productivity and media consumption across the ecosystem.
Key points
- Apple released iOS 27.2, the latest software update for iPhones, introducing significant features for the new iPhone Duo device.
- The update adds official Apple Pencil (USB-C) support for the iPhone Duo, allowing users to annotate and sketch on both the 7.6-inch inner and 5.4-inch outer displays.
- iOS 27.2 expands the Multiview feature to iPhone, enabling users to watch up to four live sports streams simultaneously from Apple TV subscriptions.
- Group FaceTime calls now support Dual Capture, allowing users to stream video from both front and rear cameras, alongside a new option for sign language interpreters.
- Siri AI capabilities are expanded to include French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish, with improved memory of past conversations for English users.
- The update includes context-sensitive action suggestions in Messages and individual user profiles for the Apple TV app.
Apple Unveils iOS 27.2 with iPhone Duo Enhancements
Apple has officially released iOS 27.2, a software update that brings a suite of new features to compatible iPhones, with a particular focus on the recently launched iPhone Duo. The update, which is available for download via the Settings app, introduces hardware-specific capabilities for the foldable device while also expanding media consumption and communication tools across the broader iOS ecosystem. The rollout marks a significant step in refining the user experience for Apple’s latest hardware and integrating deeper AI functionalities into daily tasks.
iPhone Duo Gets Apple Pencil and Edge Light
One of the most anticipated additions in iOS 27.2 is official support for the Apple Pencil (USB-C) on the iPhone Duo. This allows users to utilize the stylus for annotating PDFs, sketching, and taking handwritten notes on both the device’s 7.6-inch inner display and its 5.4-inch outer screen. This support arrived sooner than many users expected, as Apple had previously indicated that Pencil compatibility would be added later in the year. The feature is exclusive to the USB-C model of the Apple Pencil, ensuring compatibility with the Duo’s charging and connectivity standards.
Additionally, the update introduces a feature called Edge Light, previously available only on macOS, now adapted for the iPhone Duo. This feature utilizes the device’s display to create a ring of light around the edges of the screen, illuminating the user’s face during video calls. It is designed to improve video quality in low-light conditions and works with FaceTime as well as third-party applications like Zoom. The iPhone Duo’s ability to fold into a seated, laptop-like mode further enhances its utility for hands-free video conferencing.
Expanded Multiview and Group FaceTime Capabilities
For sports enthusiasts, iOS 27.2 brings the Multiview feature to the iPhone, allowing users to watch up to four live sports streams simultaneously. This functionality, previously limited to the Apple TV 4K and Vision Pro, supports events included in Apple TV subscriptions, such as Major League Soccer (MLS), Formula 1 races in the U.S., and Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders. For Formula 1 events, users can select preset team views or customize their experience by combining multiple feeds, including onboard cameras and track maps.
In the realm of communication, the update enables Dual Capture in group FaceTime calls. This feature allows users to stream video from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously, which is particularly useful for showing others what is happening in the user’s environment while maintaining eye contact with the call participants. The iPhone Duo also supports Duo FaceTime, which uses the under-display camera on the inner screen and the outer camera to allow a second person to join a group call without crowding the frame. Furthermore, users can now add a third-party sign language interpreter or live captioner to their calls, improving accessibility.
Siri AI and System-Wide Improvements
The iOS 27.2 update significantly expands Siri’s language support, adding French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. For English-speaking users, Siri’s AI capabilities have been enhanced to recall past conversations, providing more context-aware responses. The update also introduces context-sensitive suggestions in the Messages app, allowing users to take quick actions in Calendar or Reminders based on the content of ongoing text conversations. This integration aims to streamline productivity by reducing the need to switch between apps.
Other notable changes include the rollout of Google’s SynthID AI watermark in Photos and Image Playground, helping to identify AI-generated content. The Apple TV app now supports individual user profiles, allowing for personalized recommendations and watchlists. Additionally, the Apple Podcasts app has replaced its traditional "Up Next" queue with a list view, offering a different way to manage and navigate podcast content. These updates collectively reflect Apple’s focus on enhancing media consumption, accessibility, and AI-driven productivity across its platform.
Key takeaways
- Apple released iOS 27.2, adding Apple Pencil support and Edge Light to the iPhone Duo.
- Multiview is now available on iPhone, allowing four simultaneous live sports streams.
- Group FaceTime calls support Dual Capture, enabling front and rear camera streaming.
- Siri AI is now available in five new languages and can recall past English conversations.
- The update includes context-sensitive actions in Messages and individual profiles for Apple TV.
Sources
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