News

Apple Releases iOS 17.3 Featuring Stolen Device Protection

The new theft protection feature aims to safeguard personal data in the event an iPhone or iPad is stolen.

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2024

Nour Nasir

Apple

Apple has rolled out the latest incremental system updates to its mobile and desktop operating systems, with iOS 17.3 bringing a noteworthy feature to iPhones and iPads dubbed Stolen Device Protection, aimed at safeguarding personal data in the event of theft.

In the unfortunate event of your iPhone or iPad being stolen, iOS 17.3 allows you to bar unauthorized access by forcing Face ID or Touch ID verification. The security measure remains effective even if a thief has your passcode and should render any attempts to access your device futile.

As an added security layer, iOS 17.3 introduces an automatic one-hour security delay before permitting passcode modifications if the device is detected in an unfamiliar location. While Stolen Device Protection may not entirely deter thieves, it significantly complicates their efforts.

Also Read: Samsung Unpacked 2024: Key Product Announcements

iOS 17.3 also introduces minor enhancements such as collaborative playlists in Apple Music, support for AirPlay in hotels, improved crash detection, and a collection of new wallpapers commemorating Black History Month.

The following iOS devices support iOS 17.3:

iPhone Xs
iPhone Xs Max
iPhone XR (from 2018 onwards)
iPhone 11
iPhone 12
iPhone 13
iPhone 14
iPhone 15
iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd-gen)

Meanwhile, iPadOS 17.3 extends support to various models, including:

iPad Mini (5th-gen and later)
Standard iPad (6th-gen and later)
iPad Air (3rd-gen and later)
All iPad Pro models

Users can check for the update in their system settings.

To enable Stolen Device Protection, navigate to the “Face ID & Passcode” section within the Settings menu. Activating it is as simple as scrolling down and toggling the “Stolen Device Protection” switch from “Off” to “On”. No further configuration is necessary.

News

Stake Powers Instant Payouts With Checkout.com Pay To Card

The new feature lets investors in the UAE, KSA, and UK receive real estate returns in minutes — cutting withdrawal times to under 10 minutes.

Published

2 days ago

June 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

stake powers instant payouts with checkout.com pay to card

Stake, a leading digital real estate investment platform, has unveiled Pay to Card, a next-generation withdrawal feature built on Checkout.com’s global payment infrastructure. The integration enables investors to have dividends and returns credited directly to their bank cards — often within minutes — dramatically reducing the traditional multi-day payout process.

After a successful pilot in May involving over 200 users, some investors reported receiving their funds in under 10 minutes. Ricardo Brizido, CPTO and Co-Founder of Stake, emphasized the importance of speed and reliability: “With Pay to Card, we’re eliminating unnecessary delays and putting returns in our investors’ hands almost instantly. This feature was built to directly solve one of the most common pain points in real estate investing, and it’s already driving strong results”.

The feature launch coincides with rapid growth in real-time finance across the Middle East. Checkout.com’s “State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025” report highlights a 388% year-on-year surge in Account Funding Transactions (AFTs) in the UAE, reflecting strong demand for immediate payout solutions. The same study recorded a 176% increase in total processing volume from 2023 to 2024 and noted that daily online transactions have jumped 320% since 2020.

Since its 2021 debut, Stake has facilitated over AED 1 billion in property transactions, advancing its mission to democratize real estate investment in high-growth markets. By integrating Pay to Card, Stake reinforces its commitment to customer-centric innovation and operational transparency.

Also Read: Binance Enters Syrian Market As Sanctions Lifted

Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at Checkout.com, praised the collaboration: “Stake has always led with customer-first financial experiences. Together, we’re meeting the expectations of a region that is no longer just digital-first, but real-time-first. Pay to Card exemplifies how modern payment infrastructure can directly solve investor pain points”.

Pay to Card is now available to all Stake users in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. By slashing withdrawal times from days to minutes, Stake and Checkout.com are setting a new standard for seamless, on-demand real estate investing.