WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Vilsack offered the following statement following his meeting today with People’s Republic of China Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian:
January 2024
These Are the Best Features Coming in iOS 17.3 Next Week
Apple seeded the RC (release candidate) for iOS 17.3 Wednesday, which means the official version is on its way sometime next week. Now that it’s here, we know all the new features and changes Apple plans for its latest iPhone update. Spoiler: There aren’t a ton, but there are some cool new features here you’ll likely benefit from.
Stolen Device Protection
Credit: PixieMe/Shutterstock
As it turns out, a good passcode isn’t enough to keep your iPhone safe. If a thief sees your passcode over your shoulder as you type it in, they can actually use it to reset your Apple ID password. From there, they can lock you out of your Apple life, not just on your stolen iPhone, but any connected Apple devices as well. Yikes.
iOS 17.3’s new Stolen Device Protection feature intends to fix that security flaw. If you choose to enable it, iOS will require a Face ID or Touch ID scan for many different security checkpoints where a passcode would previously be requested. So, you’ll need to scan Face ID when attempting to reset your password, but also for accessing saved passwords and passkeys, making purchases, viewing your digital Apple Card, and other sensitive info and settings.
Collaborative playlists are finally here
Credit: Pranay Parab
I’ve been very excited for collaborative Apple Music playlists ever since Apple announced the feature for iOS 17.2. Unfortunately, the company removed the feature at the last minute, and delayed it to iOS 17.3. Boo. Luckily, now that the RC is out, we know collaborative playlists made the cut this time.
With collaborative playlists, you can invite friends to add to an Apple Music playlist together. Everyone has to ability to add and remove songs and adjust the playlist’s order. My favorite part is that you can react to different songs with emojis, so you can make your feelings known concerning songs other people add to the playlist.
Introducing AirPlay hotel support
Credit: Apple/YouTube
Apple announced this feature during the WWDC keynote, but delayed it as well. Now, it’s back: With iOS 17.3, you can scan a QR code at participating hotels to AirPlay content from your iPhone to the TV in your room. Anything you’d normally watch on your phone, you can beam to the much larger display across from your bed.
According to Apple’s AirPlay site, this support is coming to “select brands from IHG® Hotels & Resorts, including Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo®, and InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts.”
AppleCare & Warranty changes
Credit: Apple
When you go to AppleCare & Warranty in Settings, you’ll see your coverage statuses for all devices connected to your Apple ID. Previously, it only showed whether you have coverage on your iPhone, but now you can check in on the status of your Mac, iPad, etc.
Crash detection optimizations
Credit: Apple/YouTube
Apple doesn’t go into much detail on this one, but they do say that all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models get crash detection optimizations with the new update. Presumably, crash detection is more accurate now. It wouldn’t be the first time: Crash detection used to call 911 if you fell while skiing.
New Unity wallpaper
Credit: Zollotech/YouTube
Finally, iOS 17.3 adds a new Unity wallpaper, which Apple says honors Black history and culture for Black History month.
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Where to Get an Apple Watch With a Blood Oxygen Sensor (Before They’re Gone for Good)
The ban on selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 with the blood oxygen feature has officially gone into effect today after a legal dispute with Masimo, a medical tech company. This means that starting today, any Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 bought directly from Apple in the U.S. will come without a working blood oxygen monitoring feature. Odds are the blood oxygen monitor is not a deal breaker—however, there are ways around the ban if you’re after an Apple Watch that has one. (For now, anyway.)
Buy Apple Watches from third-party sellers to get blood oxygen monitoring
For now, here’s where you can still get the Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 with the blood oxygen monitoring feature.
Apple Watch Series 9:
Apple Watch Ultra 2:
You can still find Apple watches with the blood oxygen monitoring feature abroad since the ban is only for the U.S.
Refurbished Apple watches are a safer bet
If you want to have a better chance of getting the blood oxygen monitoring feature, shopping for refurbished Apple watches is a safer bet. Places like Back Market and Woot are reputable places to shop for refurbished items. Of course, you can also find them on big-name sellers like Amazon and Walmart.
It’s all an assumption
Since the ban only affects Apple stores in the U.S., third-party sellers are still carrying the Apple watches with the blood oxygen monitoring feature (at least for now). The Apple watches have remained on sale through Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and Target, among other stores. Best Buy and Amazon even dropped the price of the Series 9 to its lowest price so far this week.
As senior technology editor Jake Peterson pointed out, the order from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) blocks imports and sales (even to third-party resellers) of the wearables going forward, meaning once stores like Best Buy and Amazon sell out, they’re gone until this legal situation is sorted out. Because the ban went into effect today, it’s a safe assumption that the stock in stores isn’t affected yet. The more time that goes on, the higher the chance that you might pick one up from a third-party seller.
There is no foolproof way to tell if the Apple watch in your online cart has had its blood oxygen monitoring feature disabled or not, but there is a way to be on the safer side—read the description. Presumably, third-party sellers have to change the description to abide by advertising and marketing laws set by the Federal Trade Commission.
There is bound to be confusion knowing which Apple Watches are affected and which aren’t going forward. Once you get one of these Apple watches, you should have the feature for the lifespan of the device—but this is uncharted territory.
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