The wait is over finally. Apple has officially announced iOS 11, the next version of its renowned mobile operating system, in the Keynote session at WWDC 2017.
The new iOS 11 is released with some improvements and quite a lot of new features. From the announcement, this major update to the OS that powers millions of devices, will focus more on technologies rather than features. Still, several new features have been added that make iOS 11 more powerful and acceptable.
First major update to iOS 11 is conversation synchronization feature across multiple Apple devices. All the messages are synced via iCloud so that the changes can reflect on all devices in almost real-time, when connected. This simply means, deleting a message on iPhone will reflect on Mac if both the devices are connected to the internet.
Source: Apple.com
Another big update is the person-to-person payment facility added to the iMessage. Now, you can send money to your friends and family directly via iMessage, using Apple Pay. With iOS 11, Apple has introduced Apple Pay Cash Card in which a user can store his / her funds received from P2P transactions, and later, this money can be transferred to the bank account easily.
Apple’s digital assistant Siri is made more powerful in iOS 11. Siri is now capable of translating voice responses into six languages - English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish. Not only this, it will now suggest you things that might interest you, obviously based on your previous behaviour. Apple’s Craig Federighi defines it as “on-device learning".
The Control Center in iOS 11 is redesigned completely and now, it is more user friendly. You can perform multiple control tasks from the same page. A shortcut drawer has been added to store iMessage apps and stickers.
Source:Apple.com
Apart from these regular features, iOS 11 has some iPad-specific features. A dock at the bottom of the screen has been added so as to switch between apps with more easily. You can use two apps at the same time using Split View.
The new Files app allows you to browse, search, and organize all your files in one place not just on the device but also from the iCloud and other cloud storages such as Box and Dropbox.
The Drag and Drop feature allows you to move text, photos, and files from one app to another.
iOS 11 makes Apple Pencil for iPad Pro more versatile, powerful, and natural than ever.
Now you can mark up a PDF or screenshot faster and more easily.
Simply tap your Apple Pencil on the Lock screen and start taking notes immediately. Whatever you create is saved in the Notes app.
When you begin to draw or jot down something in Notes, the text around it can automatically move aside.
iOS 11 introduces ARKit, a new framework that brings augmented reality to hundreds of millions of iOS devices by allowing developers to easily build unparalleled AR experiences. By blending digital objects and information with the environment around you, augmented reality takes apps beyond the screen, freeing them to interact with the real world in entirely new ways. Like never before, games and apps can offer fantastically immersive and fluid experiences that are out of this world, yet virtually within it.
iOS 11 is going to work on iPad Air and later, iPad mini 2 and later, iPad 5th gen and later, iPhone 5s and later. Apple will start rolling out iOS 11 this autumn, when the iPhone 8 is expected to be launched.