Apple Releases New iOS 10.3 Beta Ahead Of Last Major iOS 10 Update

Apple just released a new pre-release version of its last major update for iOS 10. The seventh beta is now available for testing by registered developers and beta testers provided their iOS device has been configured for beta testing.

On Thursday, Apple launched iOS 10.3 beta 7 for developers and beta testers to try out. The new iteration in the series of beta software comes just three days after the sixth beta was released and about three months since iOS 10.2 was launched to the public. Given that the new version is already the seventh, testers should’t expect new features to pop up anymore, but they can expect it to signal the imminent release of the next major software update.

So far, several features and tweaks were outed by previous beta releases. For instance there’s the new Apple File System (APFS), which features strong encryption and is optimized for flash/SSD storage, as per MacRumors. While this may not bring cosmetic changes, it does add under-the-hood improvements to how the OS interacts with data.

Another new feature that iOS 10.3 is expected to come with is Find My AirPods. The feature will make it easier for users to track its earbuds and spare it from going missing. It stores the location data of Apple’s wireless headphones called AirPods, so users won’t have to worry if they misplaced an earbud.

A new reviews API is also launching alongside iOS 10.3. This will limit the pop-ups from apps to three times per year. And there’s even an option to switch off the pop-ups entirely. What’s more is that this feature will allow users to submit reviews without having to exit a host app.

Check out the list of changes discovered so far by developers and beta testers courtesy of 9To5Mac:

• Find My AirPods added to Find My iPhone app
• Siri support for cricket scores from Indian Premier League and International Cricket Council
• Safari support for Reduced Motion preference
• Prominent user security section in Settings app
• iOS 10.3 uses new Apple File System (APFS) which may free up some space
• Podcasts app has a widget like Music app, same app design
• New system level way for developers to request app rating, opt out option in Settings
• CarPlay status bar has persistent quick access to media, communication, and travel apps for quick switching without accessing the Home screen
• CarPlay gains quick access to albums from songs in Music, new Up Next screen
• Weather data in Maps app now has 3D Touch forecast

The latest iOS 10.3 beta is now available for download over-the-air via the Apple Developer Center. Another way to download the software is by launching Software Update in the Settings app.