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It’s been a bit of a weird year for iOS, what with the release of the iPhone Duo and the strange beta path that accompanied Apple’s first foldable.
Things appear to be getting back on track, though. Apple released the first iOS 27.3 beta on Tuesday, and it’s absolutely loaded with cool new features.
I’m excited to see the return of the redesigned Health app that Apple yanked from a previous beta. And I’m curious about the new strength-training stuff coming to Apple Fitness+.
The new Gym Strength workout can cook up a custom four-week workout plan for subscribers, based on an individual’s personal goals, fitness level, schedule and even the types of equipment they have access to.
Short video demos will explain how to do various strength-training exercises. Sounds like a great way to get a jump on the traditional New Year’s fitness resolutions. (Apple plans to release the polished version of iOS 27.3 in December.)
Probably the most momentous change of all, though, is that Apple opened up Siri AI to third-party developers.
If enough coders tweak their apps to work with Apple’s assistant, and Apple’s framework can handle it properly, we could finally see what previously seemed impossible: a Siri that’s actually incredibly useful.
Read Rajesh Pandey’s guide to everything new in the iOS 27.3 beta for the full rundown on what’s coming soon to your iPhone.
Also in today’s newsletter:
When the iPhone 18 arrives next year, it might come with a bigger battery (and a bigger price tag). Here’s what else to expect.
This new 160-watt charger from Ugreen sounds like a powerhouse.
There’s one new feature in the iOS 27.3 beta that I definitely won’t be using.
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: This new dock from Anker comes with the ports you need, plus some cool additions like a magnetic base, a smart display (with focus timer!) and a built-in cable for easy connection to your laptop. On sale for less than $80 (20% off). #affiliate
On this day in 1997, Apple revealed its plan to revolutionize its retail playbook. It didn’t go well, but it paved the way for Apple Stores’ success.
Don’t miss the best Apple Vision Pro accessory ever in the tweets of the day section 😆. (Yeah, the embeds are working today.)
— Lewis Wallace, managing editor
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We felt the weight of the world on our shoulders. We knew that we had to pull the rabbit out of the hat with Macintosh, or else we’d never realize the dreams we had for either the products or the company.
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