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iOS 10 Has Two Underrated Features That Will Come In Handy

This article is more than 7 years old.

When Apple announced iOS 10 last month, some of the highlights included updates being made to the lock screen, the Photos app, the Maps app, the Messages app, a new Home app for controlling Internet of Things devices and voicemail transcriptions. But there are several nifty features that Apple did not announce on stage. Two of those features were recently discovered by developers that tested betas of iOS 10: warnings about unsecured Wi-Fi networks and wet Lightning cables.

Unsecured Wi-Fi Network Warning

If you connect your device to an unsecure public Wi-Fi hotspot, then there could be potential consequences. For example, eavesdroppers could capture information that travels over those networks. Typically, venues with public hotspots like local coffee shops, airports and restaurants have unsecured Wi-Fi networks where hackers could use wireless network analyzers to steal packets of information.

A few years ago, PCWorld contributor Eric Geier published the type of information that someone could gain from devices using wireless network analyzers. That information may include usernames / passwords and credit card information. And that leads to identity theft. 

Fortunately, iOS 10 has a feature that warns you when your device has connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi network. How does it work? According to Apple developer Zaib Ali, iOS 10 will show a “Security Recommendation” notification within the Wi-Fi settings menu. The message says: “Open networks provide no security and expose all network traffic.” And it suggests that you “configure your router to use WPA2 Personal ( AES ) security type” for your network if you happen to be at home.

“For public Wi-Fi networks (such as the ones found at airports, malls or coffee shops) that require you to go through a confirmation page every time you connect to them, iOS 10 also offers Auto-Join and Auto-Login toggles. When they are turned on iOS will automatically connect to a known Wi-Fi without requiring you to go through the extra steps of confirming,” said Stuart in a blog post.

Wet Lightning Cable Charger Warning

One of the worst things you could do to your iPhone is to get it wet. By getting your iPhone wet, it potentially makes the device unusable. And liquid damage to iPhones are not covered by Apple warranties. The good news is that iOS 10 will warn you if moisture is detected in the Lightning connector. Specifically this feature will work for the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and iPhone SE. This feature was discovered by YouTube channel EverythingApplePro -- which was highlighted in this video:

Apple is taking steps towards ensuring its devices are becoming waterproof. For example, the gasket in newer iPhones have made them more water resistant than previous versions. And according to PhoneArena, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently granted Apple a patent for an “acoustic device” that is resistant to liquids. The patent also covers ideas about how Apple could make the speakers and “apertures in the device’s housing” waterproof.

Since the hardware side of making iPhones completely water resistant is not commercially ready yet, having the software report when moisture is still an excellent way of helping iOS users avoid making their devices unusable. And the additional unsecured Wi-Fi network warning makes iOS 10 even better when it comes to protecting iOS users.

What are your thoughts about these two subtle iOS 10 features? Do you think it will be handy for iOS users?