Following the release of iOS 10.2.1 to all users on Monday, Apple Inc. has now seeded the first beta of iOS 10.3 for all users who are part the Apple Developer Program.

The release comes with a variety of major changes, including the switch to Apple File System, the ability to find your missing AirPods using the “Find My iPhone” app, as well as various updates for Siri, Maps, iCloud storage and more.

If you are already part of the Apple Developer Program and have been testing previous betas, then iOS 10.3 beta 1 is available as an over-the-air download. If you aren’t part of the program, you can read our article on how you can sign up for the Apple Developers Program and get early access to the latest operating system.

Note: Before you download and install iOS 10.3 beta 1 make sure you make a backup of your device.  

New features in iOS 10.3 beta 1

Apple File System

When you update to iOS 10.3, your iPhone’s file system will be updated from HFS+ filesystem to APFS, which the company announced at Worldwide Developers Conference last year.

APFS is designed to improve support for flash and solid-state storage and features strong encryption, copy-on write design, clones, data integrity and more.  

“Find My AirPods”

With iOS 10.3 beta 1, Apple has introduced the ability to locate one or both of your missing AirPods using the “Find My iPhone” app.

To locate your AirPods, the app will rely on your iPhone or iPad’s location and Bluetooth. If they are within Bluetooth range of any of your iDevices that are signed into iCloud, the app will be able to pin the AirPods’ location.

If they aren’t within Bluetooth range, need to be recharged or are in the closed AirPod case, the “Find My iPhone” app will show the location when they were last connected to your iPhone or iPad.

Cricket score updates from Siri

Siri, Apple’s digital assistant will now be able to give you Cricket score stats for the International Cricket Council and Premier League.  

SiriKit

SiriKit is being updated to allow Siri to be used to pay bills, check on the status of payments and schedule future services, like rides from Uber.

CarPlay

Updates for CarPlay include the ability to display electric vehicle charging stations in Maps as well as shortcuts for launching the two most recently used apps.

HomeKit

In iOS 10.3 beta 1, HomeKit now supports programmable light switches.

Maps

In addition to showing EV charging stations, the Maps app now has an option to 3D Touch the weather icon, which will provide you with a weather forecast for your current location and other weather-related details.

Apple ID profile

At the top of the Settings app, there is a new Apple ID profile. You will be able to see all the devices that you are signed into and there are links to iCloud, iTunes & App Store and Family Sharing.

Apple iCloud storage breakdown

As part of the new Apple ID Settings feature, there’s also a breakdown of iCloud storage that will show the amount of storage being used by iCloud backups and photos. If you tap on the new storage option you will see iCloud management options, a list of apps that use iCloud and settings for “Find My iPhone,” iCloud Backup and Keychain.

App icons and app ratings (developers)

The iOS 10.3 beta will allow developers to update their app’s icon without the need for an update to push out new icon artwork.

A new SKStoreReviewController API will allow developers to request app reviews from users while they are using the app, rather than being redirected to the App Store.

Previously developers were unable to respond to app reviews, negative or positive. This changes in iOS 10.3 and developers will be able to respond to public reviews for their app in the App Store.

One-handed iPad keyboard

The latest beta also includes a hidden floating keyboard for iPad users, which was discovered by developer Steve Troughton-Smith. The feature isn’t publicly available yet and would need to be enabled using code settings. The keyboard is iPhone-sized and can be dragged around the screen. The keyboard is limited to 7.9- and 9.7-inch iPads.

New in iOS 10.3, a one-handed floating iPad (9.7″ or less) keyboard layout. Can be moved around onscreen like the PiP overlay ? pic.twitter.com/KLKybkR820

— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) January 24, 2017

Sources: Cnet; 9to5Mac

Main image credit: ragdezemog96; Flickr | Image via Apple