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Here are the 5 best new features coming to iOS 9.3

Published Jan 11th, 2016 2:43PM EST
Apple iOS 9.3 Beta 1 New Features
Image: Apple

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Apple on Monday released its first beta of iOS 9.3, which will perhaps be the last version of iOS 9 that the company will release before it unveils iOS 10 at WWDC later this year. This won’t just be a minor update either, as Apple revealed that it will add some important new features — let’s go over them below.

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  • Night Shift: This is a great feature for everyone who has ever had trouble sleeping at night after looking at their phone while in bed. Apple says that with iOS 9.3’s Night Shift, the iPhone will use its clock and geolocation features to figure out when it’s sunset and then shift “the colors in your display to the warmer end of the spectrum, making it easier on your eyes.” Hopefully this will mean restless nights caused by your iPhone or iPad will soon be a thing of the past.
  • Added security features for Notes: If you store sensitive information such as passwords or medical information in Apple’s Notes app, Apple is working to make it more secure in iOS 9.3 by letting you make it accessible using only a password or Touch ID.
  • Pair multiple Apple Watches with your iPhoneAppleInsider flagged this detail in the release notes for the iOS 9.3 beta. Basically, you’ll be able to pair multiple Apple Watches with one individual iPhone in the future. This could be particularly useful for developers who can see how their apps will work on new Apple Watch hardware compared to older hardware and it could also be useful for anyone who owns more than one Apple Watch.
  • Easier app discovery with the Health app: If you’re a fitness nut who’s had trouble finding good third-party fitness apps, iOS 9.3 adds suggestions for new apps based on a number of different categories including weight, workout and sleep.
  • New 3D Touch shortcuts added: 3D Touch is a great feature and Apple has added some new 3D Touch shortcuts for its Weather, Settings, Compass, Health, App Store and iTunes Store apps.
Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.