iOS 11: Apple reveals the future of the iPhone at WWDC
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Apple has revealed iOS 11, the future of the iPhone.
The software comes with a range of new features, including changes to Messages and other iOS apps. But it also added a range of "technologies" – new tweaks intended to make the apps run much better.
That was in keeping with a focus in Apple on improving the experience of its software, turning up and refining things rather than adding a host of new features, something it also did in macOS.
Here's what else it announced updates for:
Siri
Apple is going to bring improvements to its voice assistant. Chief among them was alterations to the assistant's voice – which now sounds more natural – but it also adds wide-ranging new features like improved ways of learning about its owner, and translation capabilities across English, Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
Control centre
The new Control Centre packs everything into a single page, and users will be able to easily demand money from friends, which can be transferred through Apple Pay.
Synchronised messages
These are a nice touch, and will know when you delete a message on your iPhone, and automatically delete it the same message your other Apple devices.
Video editing
You will be able trim your live photos and edit pictures more neatly.
New 'Do Not Disturb' mode
This will be designed to ensure you don't get distracted by messages while you're driving, allowing only "urgent" messages to show up.
Everything else
Apple is also giving developers an easy way to integrate machine-learning and augmented reality, which is expected to be key to the iPhone 8, into their own apps, and redesigning the App Store to make it easier to find and download new games and apps.
iOS 11 also supports multi-room audio for an improved music listening experience at home.
On the iPad, iOS 11 introduces a new predictive area on the right-hand side of the dock, and desktop-like drag-and-drop functionality for text, images and apps, for significantly better multi-tasking and productivity.
When does it come out?
iOS 11 is available in beta for developers right now, but will arrive as a free update to iPhone and iPad users in the autumn.
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