Apple announces iOS 11 with new features and better iPad productivity

Apple CEO Tim Cook just officially announced iOS 11 onstage at WWDC 2017. The next major update to the operating system running on millions of iPhones and iPads will improve on the “core technologies” that power the OS and also introduce numerous new features. Chief among them are new, improved productivity solutions for iPad.

The first among new iOS 11 feature demonstrated by Craig Federighi was synchronized messages across iOS and macOS. If you erase a message on your iPhone or iPad, that will now be reflected on your Mac as well.

APPLE PAY TAKES ON VENMO

Apple Pay is also expanding to include person-to-person payments, positioning Apple to take on Venmo and Square Cash. iOS 11 will introduce a Apple Pay Cash Card, where users will store their received funds from peer-to-peer transactions. This money can be transferred to your personal bank account.

SIRI

Apple has made improvements to Siri that make the assistant’s voice sound more natural when responding to users. Additionally, Siri will now be able to perform translations in various languages including English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

A new “intelligence” feature allows Siri to make suggestions that you might find interesting — like a news article — and be more predictive about what you want to do next. Siri accomplishes this through what Federighi described as “on-device learning.” On-device learning is synced across your other Apple devices but "kept completely private, readable only by you and your devices."

CONTROL CENTER

In iOS 11, Apple has completely redesigned Control Center, which is the panel that users can swipe up to access frequent and important settings or change songs when listening to music.

A NEW DOCK AND DRAG AND DROP FOR IPAD

The iPad is getting some special attention with iOS 11. Apple is making the iPad’s dock similar to the Mac’s by letting users add many more apps to it.

A new drag and drop feature lets you quickly move info or media from one split-screen app into the one beside it. Yes, that’s pretty basic stuff — but it shows why Apple needed to make this iPad push to begin with.

Also, iOS 11 can now preserve app pairings for iPad when you’re switching between apps. This means you can keep two apps you commonly use together when switching to another app, and return to them without setting up the split-screen view again.

INDOOR MAPS FOR SHOPPING MALLS AND AIRPORTS

Apple Maps is introducing indoor maps for airports and shopping centers in select cities.

Mall layouts will be available for the following cities: Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, Tokyo, and Washington DC.

Apple has indoor maps for well over 20 major airports as well, including both US and international locations.

SPEED LIMITS, LANE GUIDANCE, AND DO NOT DISTURB WHILE DRIVING

iOS 11 also adds new improvements to Maps when you’re behind the wheel of a car. Lane guidance and speed limits should help you navigate unfamiliar highways, and a new Do Not Disturb While Driving will get rid of potential distractions when your eyes should be focused on the road. Text messages won’t be shown by default, though senders have the option of replying with “urgent” in cases when you really need to see something.

APPLE MUSIC, AIRPLAY 2, HOMEKIT 2, AND MULTI-ROOM AUDIO

Sonos has some huge competition on the way. Apple’s Craig Federighi said on stage that iOS 11 will introduce support for multi-room audio between iPhones, iPads, and a slew of third-party speakers.

Plus, Apple Music is adding a much needed social element, which will show you what friends are currently listening to on the service. Like Spotify, you’ve got the option of listening privately if you don’t want to let others in on your guilty pleasures.

A REDESIGNED APP STORE

The App Store is getting its biggest makeover ever in iOS 11. There’s a new “Today” tab that will surface notable releases, and Apple is finally giving the games section its own dedicated tab. There’s a much bigger editorial aspect to the store now, too, as users will find how-tos and other content that pertains to select apps. Other refinements include the ability for developers to directly list in-app purchases in the App Store — rather than making users hunt for them in the app.

ARKIT

Apple is building augmented reality directly into the core of iOS, giving developers the tools they need to convincingly blend digital entertainment with the real world.

OTHER

Here’s the fun slide of other features coming to iOS 11 that didn’t get stage time. Standouts include screen recording, a one-handed keyboard, FaceTime Live Photos, password autofill in apps, and more.

Theverge