iOS 11 goes live: new features to watch out for

As the wait for the latest iOS version finally comes to an end, the iOS 11 has been launched and is now available via a standard update from the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad. You can also update your device using iTunes. 

iOS 11 brings hundreds of new features to iPhone and iPad including an all-new App Store, a more proactive and intelligent Siri, improvements to Camera and Photos, and augmented reality technologies to enable immersive experiences. iOS 11 is also the biggest release for iPad ever and adds powerful new multitasking features, a new Files app and more ways to use Apple Pencil.

App Store

- New Today tab helps you discover new apps and games with stories, how-to guides, and more

- App pages include more video previews, Editors’ Choice badges, easier access to user ratings, and information about in-app purchases

Siri

- Hindi dictation

- Translate English words and phrases into Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish (beta)

- Siri suggestions based on your usage of Safari, News, Mail, and Messages

- Works with notes apps to create to-do lists, notes and reminders

- Works with banking apps for account transfer and balances

- Works with apps that display QR codes

Camera

- Portrait mode now supports optical image stabilization, HDR and True Tone flash

- Photos and videos will take up half the space with the new HEIF and HEVC image and video formats

- Redesigned set of nine filters optimized for natural skin tones

- Automatically identify and scan QR codes

Photos

- Loop, Bounce, and Long Exposure Live Photo effects

- Mute, trim, or choose a new key photo for Live Photos

- Memory Movies automatically adapt content for portrait and landscape orientation

- More than a dozen new memory types including pets, babies, weddings, and sporting events

- People album is more accurate and stays up to date across devices with iCloud Photo Library

- Animated GIF support

Maps

- Indoor maps for major airports and shopping centers

- Lane guidance and speed limit information with turn-by-turn directions

- One-handed zoom with double tap and swipe

- Interact with Flyover by moving your device

Do Not Disturb while Driving

- Automatically silences notifications while driving and keeps iPhone silent and display off

- Optional iMessage auto reply to alert selected contacts that you’re driving

Other features and improvements

- Control Center redesign brings all controls on one page

- Control Center custom controls including accessibility, guided access, magnifier, text size, screen recording and Wallet

- Apple Music now helps you discover music with friends. Create a profile so friends can listen to playlists you’ve shared and see the music you listen to most

- Apple News now includes Top Stories picked just for you, recommendations from Siri, the best videos of the day in Today View, and great stories selected by our editors in the new Spotlight tab

- Automatic Setup signs you in to iCloud, Keychain, iTunes, App Store, iMessage, and FaceTime with your Apple ID

- Automatic Setup restores device settings including language, region, network, keyboard preferences, places you frequently visit, how you talk to Siri, home and health data

- Easily share access to your Wi-Fi networks

- Storage optimization notifications and free up space in Settings for apps like Photos, Messages, and more

- Emergency SOS calls emergency services based on your current location and automatically notifies emergency contacts, shares your location, and displays your Medical ID

- FaceTime lets you capture Live Photos from the other person’s Mac or iPhone camera

- Easily check Flight status in Spotlight and Safari

- Definitions, conversions and math support in Safari

Also, included in the iOS 11 is the new Augmented Reality Kit which will add support for Augmented Reality apps.

iOS 11 is performance optimized for 64-bit apps. 32-bit apps will need to be updated by the app developer to work with this version of iOS.

Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas.