Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,652
39,526



Apple's senior VP of software, Craig Federighi, took to the stage at WWDC today to give a preview of iOS 11, showing off new features like a smarter Photo Library and a redesigned Control Center.

ios-11-hero-large_2x-800x521.png

Messages is set to receive a redesigned app drawer that makes it easier to use apps and stickers, while a more optimized device storage system will make Messages backups smaller and faster, with messages stored and synced across devices over iCloud. Beginning iOS 11, for the first time, Apple Pay is also integrated into the Messages app.

Siri is will become more naturally spoken, with a new voice powered by deep learning techniques. Also set to feature is a beta translation feature that will allow users to get live translations between English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. More languages are promised by Apple in the months to come.

Lastly for Siri, a new on-device learning system will enable the virtual assistant to understand what a user is likely to want depending on circumstances and time of day. User data will be synced across all devices on a user's account with end-to-end encryption.

Control Center will be substantially redesigned to appear on a single screen and fill the bottom half of an iPhone's display, implementing 3D Touch for sub-options within buttons, and sliders to adjust volume and brightness. The Lock Screen and Notification Center will be unified on a single screen, with a swipe up or down from the Lock Screen offering immediate access to notifications.

Apple Maps will include detailed shopping floor plans for shopping malls in Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, and London, with several other major cities also covered and additional ones to come. Major airports will also be included in the floor plans, while lane guidance and posted speed limits will be displayed during navigation.

ios_11_iphone_do_not_disturb_driving_1-800x844.jpg


Apple is introducing an optional Do Not Disturb While Driving feature in iOS 11 to prevent distracted driving. HomeKit will also support a new AirPlay 2 protocol for supporting speakers, with a Shared Up Next feature for the protocol where multiple connected users can edit a party playlist. A new MusicKit API will let third-party developers get full access to Apple Music in iOS 11.

iOS 11 will also bring several new features specifically to the iPad for its larger screen, including Drag-and-Drop, a new customizable Dock, a redesigned app switcher, and more.

Article Link: iOS 11 Preview: Enhanced Siri, Voice Translation, Unified Control Center & More
 
I enjoyed the changes to Control Center. I really hated having to swipe between two screens, which seemed to defeat the purpose to me. Messages deleting everywhere is also nice.

Other than that, sort of underwhelming. However, there have been bugs persistent since iOS 7, and if those are finally resolved, that would be nice.
 
This new Control Centre would have been a great opportunity for some customisations. I really expected this once they showed this full-screen bubble-like interface. Is there really nothing?

Odd that they skipped over release information and device compatibility…
 
What an absolute disappointment. My next phone will be a Galaxy; I've already had friends switch to the S8 and they've been very happy with it. Year after year of disappointment - no more. I'd rather have a bit of lag with a Galaxy than the same tiring iOS design.

So disappointing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Demo Kit
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.