iOS 12 release – Apple update goes live but Group FaceTime feature will arrive later

iOS 12 introduces a number of notable features that radically change how Apple fans use their iPhone or iPad.

Apple has insisted the new software will bring a number of performance improvements that will make devices faster than ever before.

In a release discussing iOS 12, the Cupertino-based giant said: “iOS 12 brings performance improvements across the system and to more devices than any previous version, supporting back to iPhone 5s introduced in 2013.

“Camera launches up to 70 percent faster, the keyboard appears up to 50 percent faster and typing is more responsive.

“When there is a lot going on across the system, apps can launch up to twice as fast.”

Animoji is more fun than ever in iOS 12 with ghost, koala, tiger and T. rex characters being introduced.

And Memoji also debuts that allows Apple fans to create animated versions of themselves that can be highly customised.

A new Screen Time feature is also present that provides in-depth statistics on how owners user their iOS devices.

Apple insists the addition will “help customers understand and take control of the time they spend interacting with their iOS devices”.

The trillion-dollar company went on: “Screen Time provides users with detailed information and tools to help them manage the time they spend with apps and websites, and better understand and control where their child spends time.

“Daily and weekly Activity Reports show the total time spent in individual apps, usage across categories of apps, how many notifications are received and how often iPhone or iPad are picked up.

“App Limits allow people to set a specific amount of time to be in an app, and a notification will display when a time limit is about to expire.

“Screen Time also gives parents access to their child’s Activity Report right from their own iOS devices using Family Sharing in iCloud, and allows them to schedule times to limit when a child’s iOS device can be used, such as during bedtime.”

However, the highly-anticipated Group FaceTime feature that is set to allow up to 32 people take part in a video call together is not present on the current version of iOS 12.

Instead Apple has said the functionality is “coming later this fall”.

However, no specific timings for a roll out have yet been detailed.

Back in August 9to5Mac reporter and iOS developer Guilherme Rambo made note of an update from Apple that said Group FaceTime had been “removed” from the “initial release of iOS 12”.

The note from the tech giant to developers read: “Group FaceTime has been removed from the initial release of iOS 12 and will ship with a future software update later this fall.”