APPLE has let slip when its next big iPhone update is coming out and it looks set to land in a matter of days.
The upcoming iOS 17.3 download contains a number of new features, including tough new protections to deter thieves and a long-requested option for Apple Music.
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Apple hasn’t officially said when the upgrade will become available.
But eagle-eyed reporters at Phone Arena spotted a tiny detail in the footnote of a recent announcement.
It was noticed in the press release for new Unity Boom iPhone and iPad wallpaper covers.
In it, Apple says: “The new Unity Boom iPhone and iPad wallpaper for the Lock Screen will be also be available next week, and requires iPhone Xs or later running iOS 17.3.”
So, it looks like iOS 17.3 will land next week which isn’t far off now given that we’re currently at the end of the week.
Unless something major changes in Apple’s plans.
Beta testers have already given us a big glimpse of what to expect.
What’s new in iOS 17.3?
One of the headline features that’s been reported is a brand new Stolen Device Protection tool.
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It’s designed to prevent thieves who manage to “shoulder surf” over you to see your passcode before getting hold of your iPhone and emptying your accounts.
What usually happens is they will quickly change your Apple ID so they have control, all the while deactivating security features like Lost Mode so you have little chance of salvaging it.
Apple says Stolen Device Protection acts as “an additional layer of security”.
So, you’ll need to use Face ID to access your saved passwords.
And the same applies for turning off the Lost Mode, erasing your device, and applying for a new Apple Card.
The thief won’t be able to simply type in your passcode.
Apple will also add a “security delay” to changing some settings like your Apple ID password as part of the feature.
But this won’t be the case if you’re in a familiar location like your home or workplace.
The other possible arrival is specific to Apple Music subscribers.
You will finally be able to create collaborative playlists.
This means you and your friends who also have Apple Music can all add, remove or reorder songs from a shared playlist.
iPhone tricks to try today
Here are some of the best…
- Typing cursor – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily
- Close all Safari tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs
- Delete lots of photos quickly – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete
- Convert currency quickly – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen (or swipe left to right on an iPhone X or later model), then tap in the bar and type a currency (like $200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency
- Check if you’re due a battery upgrade – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you’re down to 80% capacity. If you’re below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple
- Move apps around faster – Hold an app until it starts wiggling, then (while still holding) tap other apps, causing them to stack so you can move them around easier
