Biggest software release ever for iPad and new AR experiences among hundreds of updates
Apple has previewed iOS 11, a major update to its mobile operating system, bringing new experiences and hundreds of features to iPhone and iPad this autumn. iOS 11 includes powerful multitasking features, the Files app and more ways to use Apple Pencil. Augmented reality (AR) is also coming, with a new platform for developers to build apps that let users place virtual content on top of real world scenes.
Also, CoreML gives developers on-device machine learning capabilities so they can easily make apps that will predict, learn and become more intelligent. Additional features include the ability to pay friends using Apple Pay, Do Not Disturb while driving to help users stay more focused on the road, even more intelligence and a new voice for Siri and new professional capabilities to Photos and Camera.
iOS 11 is available as a developer preview today and will be a free software update for iPhone and iPad this fall.
iOS 11 features deeper integration with Apple Pencil with Instant Markup, inline drawing and more. “With iOS 11, we’re delivering the biggest AR platform in the world, and it’s available today for developers to begin building AR experiences using ARKit for hundreds of millions of iPhone and iPad users,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering. “iOS 11 gives iPad users the powerful app functionality they need to take advantage of everything iPad is capable of, and brings hundreds of new features and incredible updates to the iOS apps iPhone and iPad users enjoy every day.”
ARKit makes it easy for developers to create new experiences for iPhone and iPad.
Apple is introducing a new platform for developers to help them bring high quality AR experiences to iPhone and iPad using the built-in camera, powerful processors and motion sensors in iOS devices. ARKit allows developers to tap into the latest computer vision technologies to build detailed and compelling virtual content on top of real world scenes for interactive gaming, immersive shopping experiences, industrial design and more.
Using the latest advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, new male and female voices for Siri in iOS 11 are more natural and expressive, adjusting intonation, pitch, emphasis and tempo while speaking, and can translate English words and phrases into Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish. Siri extends beyond voice, using on-device learning to deliver more personal experiences and offers suggestions based on personal usage of Safari, News, Mail, Messages and more.
Meanwhile, the company has also announced that next week it is ready to ship a new10.5 inch iPad Pro and a new 12.9 inch iPad Pro, featuring an advanced display with ProMotion technology and great performance with the new A10X Fusion chip.
The new 64-bit A10X Fusion chip provides performance that is faster than most PC laptops shipping today, so tackling complex tasks like editing photos and 4K video, rendering 3D images or playing games feels effortless. A six-core CPU and 12-core GPU deliver up to 30% faster CPU performance and 40% faster graphics performance than the A9X chip, while delivering all-day battery life.
The new 10.5 inch model reduces the borders by nearly 40% to fit into a compact package that weighs just one pound. Combined with new iPad features in iOS, like the all-new Files app, customisable Dock, and improved multitasking and deeper integration of Apple Pencil, iPad Pro gives users the ability to be even more productive and creative, Apple claimed.
The new 10.5 inch iPad Pro features a redesigned Retina display that’s 20% larger than the 9.7 inch iPad Pro. “These are by far the most powerful iPads we’ve ever created with the world’s most advanced displays featuring ProMotion, the powerful new A10X Fusion chip and the advanced camera system of iPhone 7,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of product marketing. “Together with iOS 11 these new iPad Pro models will radically change what users can do with iPad.”
The developer preview of iOS 11 is available to iOS Developer Programme members now, and a public beta programme will be available to iOS users later this month. iOS 11 will be available this autumn as a free software update for iPhone 5s and later, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad mini 2 and later and iPod touch 6th generation.
Person to person payments and Apple Pay Cash will be available in the US on iPhone SE, iPhone 6 and later, iPad Pro, iPad 5th generation, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 and Apple Watch this autumn.
