Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of watchOS 10.3

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of the upcoming watchOS 10.3 update to developers and public beta testers, with the beta coming a week after the release of the third watchOS 10.3 beta. The release candidate represents the final version of watchOS 10.3 that will be provided to the public next week when watchOS 10.3 launches.

To install the ‌watchOS 10.3‌ update, developers will need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.

Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10.3 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger.

There's no word yet on the new features that might be included in watchOS 10.3 beyond a new Unity Bloom watch face, and no notable new features were found during the beta testing process.

Full release notes are below:

watchOS 10.3 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including new Unity Bloom watch face to honor Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of watchOS 10.3

 

[Christopher Kim]

I really hope this fixes the Sleep focus / Alarm / lack of sync issues... Basically since iOS 17, I've had this problem...

iOS 17 Sleep Focus not turning OFF

Anyone else having issues with the scheduled Sleep Focus not turning OFF at the end of the schedule in the mornings? This is a new issue for me since moving to a 15 Pro Max and on iOS 17.02. It activates properly at the start of the schedule and is shared across all of my devices, but when the...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[dvdvd]

Does anyone know if this release will remove the blood oxygen monitoring feature Apple stated they would remove to avoid the Apple Watch sales ban?

 

[sashavegas]

Need to check if apple disable o2 sensor on ultra 2 on that update

 

[tywebb13]

build number 21S644

 

[CarAnalogy]

Does anyone know if this release will remove the blood oxygen monitoring feature Apple stated they would remove to avoid the Apple Watch sales ban?

Need to check if apple disable o2 sensor on ultra 2 on that update

Get on it, MacRumors. This is the kind of investigative journalism we need you for. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[tywebb13]

Does anyone know if this release will remove the blood oxygen monitoring feature Apple stated they would remove to avoid the Apple Watch sales ban?

Even if they don't remove it in this RC build 21S644 - suppose they make a public release with build 21S645 removing O2 monitoring on ALL apple watches in ALL countries!

Then don't update the watch at all!

Go to apple store asking for refund telling them you bought the apple watch for O2 functionality (even if you didn't).

If they say no, this opens them up to a whole lot more legal trouble because consumer protection legislation in many countries stipulate that if a device does not function as advertised then you are in fact entitled to a FULL REFUND.

 

[iStorm]

Even if they don't remove it in this RC build 21S644 - suppose they make a public release with build 21S645 removing O2 monitoring on ALL apple watches in ALL countries!

Then don't update the watch at all!

Or worse yet, suppose they make the O2 monitoring "phone home" to see if it's allowed to run...à la macOS's Gatekeeper. Then Apple could disable it later without an OS update! I doubt Apple would be that extreme, but anything is possible.

 

[sashavegas]

Or worse yet, suppose they make the O2 monitoring "phone home" to see if it's allowed to run...à la macOS's Gatekeeper. Then Apple could disable it later without an OS update! I doubt Apple would be that extreme, but anything is possible.

They can implement that easy. I already have experience when several app was removed without any notice

 

[usmaak]

For anyone who was having battery issues, does this release fix anything?

 

[tywebb13]

Or worse yet, suppose they make the O2 monitoring "phone home" to see if it's allowed to run...à la macOS's Gatekeeper. Then Apple could disable it later without an OS update! I doubt Apple would be that extreme, but anything is possible.

I think regardless of anything in apple's terms and conditions, they are playing with fire when they introduce updates that remove functionality.

In many countries this alone would be illegal, particularly as it relates to advertised functionalities. If the updates remove functionalities that were previously advertised they would be in breach of consumer protection laws.

 

[MrWeenus]

The new unity face is beautiful. I think it is one of the best new faces introduced so far. Except for Snoopy. Snoopy is god.

 

[gank41]

I’m still seeing the Blood Oxygen App listed.

 

[Hiroshi080]

I’m still seeing the Blood Oxygen App listed.

View attachment 2337750

I’m assuming that if you hit start it works as it has always.

 

[ktd]

Is the ”way to dim” display in dark environments fixed for the S9 and U2?

 

[CarAnalogy]

I’m assuming that if you hit start it works as it has always.

Wouldn’t that be an interesting way to modify it. App is still there, opens up.

But when you hit start it just pops up a message that says “Sorry, Masimo won’t let us do this anymore. Call this number and tell them what you think about it.”

 

[gank41]

I’m assuming that if you hit start it works as it has always.

Yes, app continues to work just fine

 

[Hiroshi080]

Yes, app continues to work just fine

Good to know much appreciated!

 

[Hiroshi080]

Wouldn’t that be an interesting way to modify it. App is still there, opens up.

But when you hit start it just pops up a message that says “Sorry, Masimo won’t let us do this anymore. Call this number and tell them what you think about it.”

😂 hey it could happen…

 

[testcard]

Even if they don't remove it in this RC build 21S644 - suppose they make a public release with build 21S645 removing O2 monitoring on ALL apple watches in ALL countries!

Then don't update the watch at all!

Go to apple store asking for refund telling them you bought the apple watch for O2 functionality (even if you didn't).

If they say no, this opens them up to a whole lot more legal trouble because consumer protection legislation in many countries stipulate that if a device does not function as advertised then you are in fact entitled to a FULL REFUND.

With this RC build, Blood Oxygen is still working in UK.

 

[gank41]

With this RC build, Blood Oxygen is still working in UK.

It's my understanding that this only applies to the US, where the import ban applies. That's why removing the physical sensor makes no sense to Apple.

 

[testcard]

It's my understanding that this only applies to the US, where the import ban applies. That's why removing the physical sensor makes no sense to Apple.

Exactly - so outside of the US there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[gank41]

Exactly - so outside of the US there shouldn't be a problem.

So, if it doesn't impact the S9 or Ultra 2 already sold in the US, only models on their way here from being manufactured, how will they make this work? Using some kind of skimmer they can wave over all of them in store to "update" them? Removing the feature from the watches already sold and on our wrists isn't going to happen.

 

[Neo91]

My Apple Watch Ultra 2 display is still to dark in low light situation. And I can’t make it brighter manually. Anyone know if this gets fixed in any way with 10.3?

 

[CarAnalogy]

So, if it doesn't impact the S9 or Ultra 2 already sold in the US, only models on their way here from being manufactured, how will they make this work? Using some kind of skimmer they can wave over all of them in store to "update" them? Removing the feature from the watches already sold and on our wrists isn't going to happen.

What will likely happen is whatever system puts the software on in the first place will start putting on modified software at the factory. They definitely are not physically removing the sensor. After that I suppose they will be identified by serial number. It seems Apple is doing everything they can to avoid removing the feature for people who already bought it, since technically the ban only applies to new devices brought into the country. Any NEW shipments will have the new software. What happens after that, I'm not sure.