Everything You Need to Know About Apple’s Release of iOS 11

September is here and Apple’s annual product and software reveals are lingering just around the corner. While rumours around the hardware announcements continue to circulate, we do know that the latest instalment of Apple’s infamous operating system iOS 11 is coming.

With new iPad pro multitasking functionality, split screen app viewing, new professional quality photo editing software and specific augmented reality capabilities, it’s going to be a game changer. Here’s everything you need to know about the iPhone and iPad powering operating systems latest upgrade.

Built for Enhanced Augment Reality Experiences

One of the most exciting features for iOS 11 which lends itself nicely to the direction of consumer experience enhancement is the inclusion of specific Augmented Reality framework Apple are calling ARKit. This tech will allow mobile app developers and mobile app businesses to tap into AR like never before and create immersive and compelling experiences that blend the real world with creative digital overlays.

The potential for gaming and intelligent services and information overlays is vast and we’re only now starting to see this open up to more app developers to explore. Hopefully this will lead to a big step change in the quality and innovation we’ll see from mobile app developers playing with Ar in the future. ARKit promises to bring this tech to new devices as well as being backward compatible meaning that powerful mobile app AR is going to be accessible by millions of iOS devices present and future.

File Management and Inter Device Intelligence

Apple have really put a focus on upgrading the experience of iPad for professionals. Something that’s been lacking from previous iOS releases was a decent file management process. Leaving users having to look to 3 ^rd party apps to manage their files and documents. iOS 11 not only has its own more intelligent and convenient file management system built in which includes tagging options and the call up of recently worked on files, but also allows a relationship between your devices via iCloud to allow you to switch between working on the same files on your various devices effortlessly.

These big and much desired additions will be big news for iPad Pro owners and those waiting to make the upgrade.

iPad Split Screen App View with Drag and Drop

A popular modern-day Windows feature comes to iPad. Split screen app viewing allows more than one app to be viewed and interacted with on the screen at a time with easy switching using the Dock menu. Making full use of the iPads huge display area for the first time.

Combined with iPads multi-touch technology this new split screen function also provides a really nice extra when it comes to apps interacting with each other. With dual apps open on the screen you will now be able to drag and drop files between the apps for a whole new and easy way for apps to interact and exchange.

iPad Pro Extras

To really complete the package and emphasise the catering for professionals and creatives, iOS 11 brings more options to its pencil hardware with other digital items intelligently moved to allow for hand drawn areas and included the ability to doodle directly over PDF files and share with colleagues. They’ve even thrown in a new document scanning feature via the iPad camera which will automatically identify and scan documents with an auto crop and image enhancement feature. iPad pros are really going to start feeling like the full package and potentially start closing the gap with Microsoft’s tablet offerings.

All The Essentials Made Better

Apple rarely settles and although we have to wait for annual major releases they do seem to strive to make as many across the board improvements as possible. iOS 11 is no exception:

Live Photos – Live photos have more options than ever and a longer record time. The function also comes with popular social media content creation functions including short looped imagery, reversible footage ‘bounce’ mode and other editing options including long exposure shots.

Professional Image Filters – True to Apple’s selfie and Instagram happy audience of social media hungry millennials, iOS 11 has built in an array of image and video filtering options to make any user feel like a professional photo editor.

New App Store – In our opinion a little overdue but Apple have completely rebuilt the app store to be more personal and intuitive as well as making it easier for you to discover new apps that matter to you. The whole experience is promised to be considerably slicker than before.

Apple Music – The iOS music streaming and purchasing app has been given a much-needed revamp bringing it up to speed with the likes of popular 3 ^rd part apps like Spotify. The new and improved Apple music will allow you to discover and share music via your contacts who are also using the service as well as having more intelligent personal recommendation features.

The upgrades don’t end here, with a more versatile Air Play control system that works with multiroom audio better than ever, a customisable control panel, a more intelligent and personal Siri experience and even new safety features including ‘do not disturb while driving’ mode that many will be pleased to see. All in all iOS 11 feels like it will be a significant upgrade for iOS users using generation 6 and above devices.

Although iOS 11 may not be equipped with any entirely new and ground-breaking features outside of the highly revamped iPad improvements that some of the previous releases have seen, consumers and mobile app developers alike have a lot to look forward to from the release of the new version of Apple’s mobile operating system and we’re all excited to see how big the role of AR mobile apps might become with a specific focus on this area for the first time.

With apple due to announce new hardware this week, it’s like iOS 11 will be publicly available around the 15 ^th of September 2017.