Apple has reportedly released the iOS 10.3 beta update to developers, marking the third major update to the iOS 10 operating system. Seemingly, the first iOS 10.3 beta emanated more than a month after the release of iOS 10.2. Registered developers can allegedly download the new iOS 10.3 beta from the Apple Developer Center or over-the-air with the proper configuration profile installed.

The iOS 10.3 apparently brings with it many new features and among them are some interesting ones. Accordingly, the iOS 10.3 as a 10.x update, may possibly bring bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features to iOS 10.

Consequently, the iOS 10.3 beta is available on all devices that currently support iOS 10: the iPhone 5, the fourth-generation iPad, the iPad Mini 2 and the sixth-generation iPod Touch. It is rumored to include a new "Theatre" mode with a "popcorn-shaped" icon in the Control Center. But apparently, users will have to wait a while to get their hands on the new goodies packed inside iOS 10.3.

A 'Find My AirPods' feature reportedly has been added to the OS, which allows the user to check up on the last known location of the AirPods. Accordingly, the AirPods themselves do not have built-in GPS and the app only records the location when it was last connected to it. While this probably limit the functionality of the service, it is said to be better than nothing.

Reportedly, the geekier part of the update is the introduction of the APFS (Apple File System) that is applicable for all iOS 10.3 devices. It apparently addresses a number of issues in Apple's aging HFS+ file system, notably the lack of checksums, snapshots, link restrictions, among others.

Reports say that the iOS 10.3 APFS is designed with a flash storage in mind and also includes a lot of features that enhance performance, reduce power consumption and reduce the number of write cycles.

Tags: Apple update iOS 10.3 iOS 10.3 Beta 1 iOS beta ipad iPhone