Apple on Monday seeded the seventh beta of iOS 9.3 to developers and public beta testers. The new seed comes one week after the sixth beta seed. The beta may prove to be the final beta release for iOS 9.3, as a public release is expected mid-March.
iOS 9.3 beta 7 – Builds 13E5233a and 13E5234a – is available as an over the air update, and is also available from the Apple Developer Center.
The previous seed restored full navigational functionality to the ApplePencil accessory for the iPad Pro. In earlier betas, Apple had removed the Pencil’s ability to be used for tasks such as selecting text, scrolling, swiping between apps, accessing menus, and general editing functions in apps. That same beta included a tweaked Night Shift toggle switch in Control Center, removing the confusing pop-up message from the icon.
Features found to be included in iOS 9.3 are:
Apple Watch: Using iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2, Apple now allows an iPhone to pair with more than one Apple Watch. Both devices require the latest beta updates. with Watches running watchOS 2.2 and an iPhone running iOS 9.3.
Night Shift: Reduces blue light at night, much like f.lux does on a Mac. In beta two, a toggle button for iOS 9.3’s new Night Shift feature was added in the Control Center on the iPad and iPhone. A later beta included a tweaked Night Shift toggle switch in Control Center, removing the confusing pop-up message from the icon.
Notes: The app is now password protected and Touch ID compatible, and includes new features for sorting by date created, date modified, or alphabetically.
Apple News: Improved News algorithms offer more tailored articles in the “For You” section. It also includes a new landscape mode and in-line video playback.
Health: A new interface makes it easier to see move, exercise, and stand data. A new menu in certain categories helps users to discover apps that can be used to track health data.
CarPlay: CarPlay includes “New” and “For You” sections in Apple Music, and a “Nearby” feature in Maps helps users discover the best local restaurants, coffee shops, and more.
Education: Shared iPads for students, a new Classroom app, and an AppleSchool Manager.
Wi-Fi Assist: iOS 9.3 offers a counter informing users with Wi-Fi Assist installed how much cellular data they’ve used.
Verizon Wi-Fi Calling: Added in the third beta of iOS 9.3.
This will likely be the final beta of iOS 9.3, which will likely see a spring release alongside OS X 10.11.4, tvOS 9.2, and watchOS 2.2, sometime following the March 21 Apple media event.
