Apple Releases iOS 10.3 and WatchOS Updates

It’s software update day for Apple, with new versions of iOS and watchOS being sent out to users’ hands and wrists around the world.

iOS 10.3 introduces a range of new features, including the ability to locate AirPods using Find My iPhone. Through the app, users can view the current or last known location of their AirPods and
play a sound on one or both AirPods to help find them.

There are also now more ways to use Apple’s digital personal assistant Siri, with integrations for with payment, ride booking and automaker apps.

Apple update

Siri can now be used to pay and check the status of bills with payment apps and schedule cars with ride booking apps. Support has also been introduced for automaker apps, allowing users to check their car’s fuel level, lock status, turn on the lights and activate the horn.

Other improvements include; daily curated Apple Music playlists with new music categories being available in CarPlay, the ability to rent once and watch your iTunes movies across your devices, hourly weather in Maps using 3D Touch, support for searching “parked car” in Maps and VoiceOver stability improvements for Phone, Safari and Mail.

Moving on to the Apple Watch, watchOS 3.2 introduces Theatre Mode, a SiriKit for developers and multiple other usability improvements.

Theatre Mode mutes the Apple Watch and stops it from lighting up when users raise their wrist, which Apple describes as “perfect when you’re at the cinema or putting the kids to bed”. Users will still receive notifications, which can be viewed by tapping the screen or pressing the Digital Crown.

Despite being available on iOS devices since the release of iOS 10, SiriKit is now available on the Apple Watch for the first time, allowing developers to integrate Siri with apps for doing things like send messages or payments, search through photos and log workouts.

In addition, there is a Breathe App to help users “better manage everyday stress”, new features have been added to the Workout app to make it easier to use when on a run and users now have faster access to their favourite apps.

Quiz: What do you know about the history of the Apple Mac?