Quite a buzz surrounded the iOS 10.3 update and all that speculating had gotten our hopes high that it would deliver some much-needed change. Thankfully, it delivered. What fresh features and updates does iOS 10.3 bringing to the table?
A Few Expected Changes
iPhone users have made a few speculations about iOS 10.3 and it turns out they got a handful of them right. For instance, people correctly guessed that Apple would finally give us a way to search for our AirPods in the latest iOS update. A bit disappointing it took this long to integrate the ability to find missing AirPods on our iPhones, but we’re glad it’s here.
Using Find My iPhone app, you can play a sound on one or both AirPods whenever you’re having trouble finding them. You can view the last location where the two were last synced to your phone, too. This may especially come in handy when you fear you’ve lost either pod or both.
What other changes come with iOS 10.3?
CarPlay app also got an update
as experts expected they would. It will now display shortcuts for the apps you’ve used last so it’s easier following through on to-dos that need your urgent attention while you’re behind the wheel. Its Apple Music display will even give you access to the “up next” screen and navigation to the album of the song playing at the moment.
iCloud storage breakdown
Under the Apple ID Settings menu, a new iCloud section will show a breakdown of your current cloud storage usage. It will even tell you which of your apps use iCloud.
Updated Apple ID profile
In the Settings app, you’ll now see an Apple ID menu that shows you all the devices you’re currently logged into and other useful Apple ID info.
Rent iTunes videos on multiple devices
Rent a video on iTunes and you may now watch it across all the devices associated with your Apple ID. It used to be limited to the one where you rented the media on.
Book rides with Siri
Because the well-loved AI now supports scheduling with ride-sharing apps, you can now ask her to hail you a Lyft on your way home.
Siri Gets Timely Upgrades
Besides being able to schedule your next Lyft ride, Siri has been taught a few more tricks on iOS 10.3. Siri can now check whether your car has been locked and if its fuel level has gone dangerously low. You can even ask the Apple AI to activate your car’s horns or operate the lights. It definitely makes it easier for us drivers who couldn’t remember where we parked the last time. This is all thanks to the voice-activated assistant being programmed with the capability to interact with automaker apps.
You may also ask Siri to pay bills or check payment statuses in a jiffy, too. Quite a handy feature for all of us budget-conscious consumers, don’t you think?
As exciting as these updates seem to be so far, we’re still getting to the juiciest parts. Curious what are the BIGGEST changes on iOS 10.3? Read on.
Apple Revamps the iOS’ File System
In a historic move, Apple shifts from HFS+ to APFS (an acronym for Apple File System) in iOS 10.3. Keep in mind that the former has been the file system the company has used for its computer operating systems (OS) since 1998. In the latest iOS iteration, Apple has elected to do away with such a system in place of something that’s expectedly better.
According to official company statements, the APFS is “optimized for flash/SSD storage and features strong encryption”. Even better that it improves upon current file system fundamentals, which means your iPads and iPhones may be running faster and smoother after upgrading to iOS 10.3.
Experts have been quick to point out that the iOS update can potentially free up sizeable amounts of storage space on your Apple device, too. They, however, emphasized that you back up your files and media on your iPhone/iPad first before downloading the update.
By backing up your data, you can easily retrieve lost files in case your device encounters issues while updating. Fortunately, we still haven’t heard of anyone complaining about any critical data loss since iOS 10.3 got publicly released.
An Even Better Wi-Fi Calling?
Beta versions of iOS 10.3 revealed that the iOS update would further improve the Wi-Fi Calling feature. We didn’t expect it to be so much better than our initial speculations. To be fair, we’ve known Verizon already offers the ability to make Wi-Fi calls. The iOS 10.3, however, takes things a bit further.
While you traditionally routed Wi-Fi Calling calls through your Verizon iPhone, you may now make and receive such calls even without doing the same routine. In iOS 10.3, you can make and receive Wi-Fi calls through all your iCloud connected devices (e.g. MacBook, iPod, iMac, iPads, Mac minis, and Apple Watches) even if your iPhone isn’t connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Such an improvement definitely comes in handy whenever your iPhone’s juice runs low and you’re making an all-important Wi-Fi call. That, or you just forgot where you placed your iPhone last and you’re expecting somebody to give you a ring not a second too soon.
Tip: Turn on Wi-Fi Calling feature by navigating to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling. Control which devices you’ll allow Wi-Fi calls via Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices and then toggle it on.
All the Updates Rolling with iOS 10.3
We’ve only covered some of the features that caught our attention right from start. That’s just how big this iOS update really is.
For more details on what changes Apple pursued in its latest mobile OS release, here is the official and comprehensive list of iOS 10.3 features.
Downloading iOS 10.3
Excited to get the latest iOS running on your iPhone? Install it by simply connecting your device to iTunes. You could also download it via Settings > General > Software Update.
Be warned, though, that the update is only available for a handful of devices (so far). The ones we know are iPhone 5 and succeeding versions, iPad 4th generation and later, as well as iPod Touch 6th generation and up. It’s a 650MB in size, too so you might want to clear up some space on your iPod/iPad/iPhone before installing the iOS update.
