Inside iOS 9.3: Apple's native apps gain new 3D Touch shortcuts on iPhone 6s

The upcoming release of iOS 9.3 will bring new 3D Touch shortcuts to Apple's built-in apps on the iPhone 6s, most notably giving users the ability to quickly update App Store installs, or access battery or Wi-Fi settings.

Developers were issued the first beta of iOS 9.3 this week, revealing some of the changes planned for the forthcoming update. In particular, Apple has added a new "Update All" 3D Touch shortcut to the App Store icon, as well as a "Purchased" link.

Previously, the iOS Settings app lacked any 3D Touch shortcuts at all, but that's set to change with iOS 9.3. In the first beta, developers can quickly access "Bluetooth," "Wi-Fi," "Battery," and "Set Wallpaper" by firmly pressing the icon.

Apple's native Weather app also gains 3D Touch support in iOS 9.3, providing iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus users with quick access to their most frequently checked cities. A link to add a new city is also offered.

The iTunes Store now comes with "View Downloads" and "Purchased" links via 3D Touch, and Apple's Health app icon can be used to quickly access "Show Dashboard" and "Show Medical ID."

Even some of Apple's legacy iOS apps were given a 3D Touch upgrade in the first beta of iOS 9.3, as users can press down on the Compass icon to access "Start Level" and "Start Compass." The native iOS Stocks app also comes with a 3D Touch link to search for stocks.

22 Comments

MacPro 19845 comments · 18 Years

About 8 years ago

I'm looking forward to a 'forth' dimensional touch ... it would be very useful for day training ;)

Deeeds 29 comments · 8 Years

These options clearly show the user activity desires of Apple. Interesting because there was a time when effort went into surfacing functionality of genuine benefit to ease of user experience, and operational rapidity. Previously one might even expect some focus on user joy. Now there's a peculiar fascination with extraction. Is "Redeem" really the second most common operation in the AppStore and Apple Music? Or even in the top ten most likely user behaviours?

LoneStar88 325 comments · 9 Years

Deeeds said:

These options clearly show the user activity desires of Apple. Interesting because there was a time when effort went into surfacing functionality of genuine benefit to ease of user experience, and operational rapidity. Previously one might even expect some focus on user joy. Now there's a peculiar fascination with extraction. Is "Redeem" really the second most common operation in the AppStore and Apple Music? Or even in the top ten most likely user behaviours?

Complain, complain, complain. Is that all you people know how to do? Is it really such a pain for you to simply learn something new?

I'm looking forward to using these new functions on my 6+. Personally, we earn iTunes gift cards when we use our Barclaycard (via Apple Pay, of course) to purchase Apple products. It would be handy to redeem them via my phone.

3D touch will become more and more relevant the more developers implement it. This is Hours Tracker which I use all the time. 3D touch lets me go directly to the functions I use most often and then get back to work.

So why bloody not shouldn't Apple be the first to implement and promote it?

elijahg 2842 comments · 18 Years

LoneStar88 said:

Deeeds said:

These options clearly show the user activity desires of Apple. Interesting because there was a time when effort went into surfacing functionality of genuine benefit to ease of user experience, and operational rapidity. Previously one might even expect some focus on user joy. Now there's a peculiar fascination with extraction. Is "Redeem" really the second most common operation in the AppStore and Apple Music? Or even in the top ten most likely user behaviours?

Complain, complain, complain. Is that all you people know how to do? Is it really such a pain for you to simply learn something new?

I'm looking forward to using these new functions on my 6+. Personally, we earn iTunes gift cards when we use our Barclaycard (via Apple Pay, of course) to purchase Apple products. It would be handy to redeem them via my phone.

3D touch will become more and more relevant the more developers use it. So why bloody not shouldn't Apple be the first to implement and promote it?

You've got the wrong end of the stick entirely. He's saying that Apple's putting shortcuts for their financial gain above ease of use for the user.

rogifan_old 725 comments · 9 Years

elijahg said:

LoneStar88 said:

Complain, complain, complain. Is that all you people know how to do? Is it really such a pain for you to simply learn something new?

I'm looking forward to using these new functions on my 6+. Personally, we earn iTunes gift cards when we use our Barclaycard (via Apple Pay, of course) to purchase Apple products. It would be handy to redeem them via my phone.

3D touch will become more and more relevant the more developers use it. So why bloody not shouldn't Apple be the first to implement and promote it?

You've got the wrong end of the stick entirely. He's saying that Apple's putting shortcuts for their financial gain above ease of use for the user.

So a shortcut for redeeming gift cards isn't use of use for end user? I would imagine Apple has a good idea of what thinks people do most in their stock apps.