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iOS 10: Older iPhone models will gain support for rich notifications

One of the standout features iOS 10 features announced at WWDC on Monday was the rich notifications, allowing users to jump into apps without unlocking their phones.

However, in the first developer preview released shortly after the conference, the functionality was only in play on the newer iPhone 6S and 6S Plus devices.

Related: iOS 10: 6 Features that actually matter

That led to speculation the feature would only be available for the 2015 devices with the pressure-sending 3D Touch displays.

However, in the beta notes (via MacRumors) Apple confirmed the feature will be rolling out to older iOS handsets in forthcoming beta versions.

Support for rich notifications is optimized for 3D Touch, and in iOS 10 beta 1 the feature is available only on iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Future betas will provide access to this functionality for users of iPhone models without support for 3D Touch.”

The mention of the word “optimised” is interesting here though. It does appear that those with 6S and 6S Plus devices will receive the best experience.

With 3D Touch devices users will be able to pop into apps like Messages and type out replies in a mini conversation view while their device remains locked.

How this will work with older devices remains to be seen.

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