Today, Apple released software updates for its mobile and watch operating systems. iOS 10.3 brings features like "Find my AirPods", Siri support for mobile payments and ride booking, CarPlay shortcuts and more. watchOS 3.2 adds similar Siri enhancements and a Theater Mode.
iOS 10.3 expands the "Find my iPhone" feature to help you find lost AirPods (the wireless earbuds that Apple announced alongside the headphone jack-free iPhone). By logging into your iCloud account, you can view the current or last known location of your AirPods, and play a sound on one or both of them.
The 10.3 release also expands Siri support for banking, ride booking and automaker apps. Siri can now be used to view and pay bills, schedule a ride, or check car fuel or lock status. Also, for Indian cricket fans, Siri will know scores and statistics for the Indian Premier League and International Cricket Council.
iOS 10.3 also improves CarPlay with easy access to recently used apps; its Apple Music app now shows "Up Next" and the album for the song currently playing, along with daily playlists and new music categories.
The rating/review experience will also be streamlined for developers and users alike. Developers will be able to ask app users for a rating or review without forcing users to exit to the App Store. It will also be possible for developers to make public responses to App Store reviews.
Rounding out the mobile software updates are minor updates to the Maps, Calendar, Home and Podcasts apps. Most notably, it's now possible to use 3D Touch to get hourly forecasts or search "parked car" in Maps. In Calendar, users can now delete invites and report them as junk. The Home app show shows accessory battery level status, and Podcasts adds 3D Touch shortcuts to recently updated shows.
Meanwhile, watchOS 3.2 adds a new Theater Mode which lets wearers easily mute the sound on their watch and turn off the "Raise to Wake" feature at the same time. In Theater Mode, notifications are conveyed through haptic feedback only.
Watch OS 3.2 also extends the Siri capabilities introduced with iOS 10.3 to the Apple Watch. Developers now have the option to include Siri support for messaging, payments, ride booking, workouts and more.
To update iOS on your iPhone or iPad, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. To update watchOS from your Apple Watch, place the watch on its charger, open the Apple Watch tab on your phone, then navigate to My Watch > General > Software Update.
For more on iOS 10, check out New Atlas' review or these helpful tips and tricks.
