iOS 7.0.3 update fixes miscalibrated sensor and iMessage issues

You can now use your iPhone 5s for your home improvement projects again. Apple’s latest software update, iOS 7.0.3, fixes calibration issues with the iPhone 5s sensor, which means your phone will no longer be a couple of degrees off.

Earlier this month Gizmodo conducted a number of simple tests and verified that the iPhone’s sensors were off. And just last week news surfaced that the sensor issues were likely due to Apple’s use of a new accelerometer. Apple didn’t acknowledge the problem publicly, but quietly fixed it in its latest update.

If you read through the numerous new features and fixes contained in iOS 7.0.3, right in the middle of the pack you’ll see: “Fixes an accelerometer calibration issue.” VentureBeat installed the update on an iPhone 5s, and verified that the phone is now showing proper alignment when using the level function.

And if you’ve been having trouble sending iMessages, you can breath a sigh of relief as well. According to the change log, iOS 7.0.03 “Fixes an issue where iMessage failed to send for some users.”

There are a number of other relatively big fixes and features contained in the update, such as the addition of iCloud keychain and a Safari password generator. And for anyone suffering from a case of parallax-induced seasickness, the Reduce Motion setting has been enhanced to further minimize motion and animation.

All in all this is a surprisingly big update given the incremental build number. If your phone hasn’t already prompted you to download it, you can tap on Settings > General > Software Update.