watchOS 5.1 Developer Beta 2 Includes Group FaceTime And New Colors Watch Face

Along with iOS 12.1 Beta 2, Apple has also seeded the second Developer Beta of the upcoming watchOS 5.1. This is the first major update of the 5th watchOS generation. Unlike iOS 12, watchOS 5 has already received its first minor update labeled watchOS 5.0.1 which fixes a series of bugs that have surfaced after the initial release.

watchOS 5.1 Developer Beta 2 can be installed on any compatible Apple Watch after the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center. Yes, you need to be a registered Apple Developer in order to be able to test the upcoming watchOS 5 version. With the Profile installed you have to open the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone and browse for General -> Software Update in the My Watch tab. Hit Download and Install, follow the usual steps and that’s it.

watchOS 5.1 New Features
Until now we managed to uncover two significant new features included in this software update:
1. Audio Group Facetime Call
The delayed Group FaceTime feature will be finally enabled in watchOS 5.1. Your Apple Watch is able to join a FaceTime conference with up to 32 participants. The only limitation is that there will be no video available, due to hardware limitations.

2. New Color Watch Face
Another Watch Face will be added in watchOS 5.1. The 5th watchOS generation already introduced a new Infograph theme, which supports up to 8 complications, along with the Breathe Watch Face and several Motion Watch Faces. Now it’s time for the Color Watch Face. It’s a simple color background, with multiple nuances to choose from. You can check out the new themes in the image available nearby!

Fact: This first important watchOS 5 upgrade will be publicly seeded along iOS 12.1. A rollout date isn’t available but we assume that it will match with the release of the iPhone XR!