Apple Rumored to Begin Seeding iOS 10.3 With New 'Theatre' Mode on January 10

Apple is preparing to begin seeding builds of iOS 10.3 to developers as soon as next month, according to Sonny Dickson, who has occasionally offered accurate information on Apple's plans from supply chain sources and other contacts. Dickson says iOS 10.3 will include a new "Theatre" mode with a "popcorn-shaped" icon in the Control Center, although he does not explain what exactly this mode will entail.



The most recent significant iOS update was iOS 10.2, which was released to the public earlier this month and included a new TV app and a number of new and updated emoji, among other changes. A new iOS 10.2.1 update is currently in beta testing.

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Trend of visits to MacRumors from devices claiming to be running iOS 10.3

We've seen a steady increase in visits to MacRumors from devices claiming to be running iOS 10.3 over past several months with visits now numbering in the hundreds per day, suggesting a developer release could indeed be coming in the near future.

Apple has been rumored to be launching updated iPad models in the March or April timeframe, with the company reportedly developing some new iPad-specific software features such as improved Apple Pencil support to accompany the hardware updates. It's possible iOS 10.3 could be the update that delivers these features, although it may not be apparent in the early stages of developer seeding if the new features are exclusive to unreleased hardware.

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Top Rated Comments

mnsportsgeek Avatar
117 months ago
How about being able to change the volume without missing 3 seconds of whatever you're watching?
Score: 91 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Carmenia83 Avatar
117 months ago
Hopefully, once activated, a boxing glove comes out and punches you in the face if you touch your phone before the movie ends.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
andy.ringwood Avatar
117 months ago
Hoping it's Apple's name for a dark mode but it's probably just a button that disables sounds and vibration and turns down the brightness, all in one click.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
007 Junior Avatar
117 months ago
Dark mode confirmed?
[doublepost=1483137474][/doublepost]
Hoping it's Apple's name for a dark mode but it's probably just a button that disables sounds and vibration and turns down the brightness, all in one click.
That would not make a lot of sense as we already have the Do Not Disturb option for occasions like going to a movie.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WiseAJ Avatar
117 months ago
Popcorn button? My iPhone can microwave popcorn now?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mikey44 Avatar
117 months ago
One can only assume that since theaters are dark, it must be dark mode.... ;)

But seriously. Dark mode would be amazing, and it seems smart to put it in control center.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)