UK Edition
Four iOS 11 features that will be genuinely useful
Apple releases its iOS 11 software update today and it is bringing in some big changes for iPhone users.
Even if you’re not planning to spend £999 plus on the new iPhone X to get all the latest features, such as Face ID, the new iOS does introduce functions that should improve the general iPhone experience.
The beta version of the software has been out for a few months for developers and people who signup to get it advance.
Although the beta is not the complete version of the upgrade and new features could be added before now and general release, it does give a good idea of what it’s like to live with iOS 11 on a daily basis.
Here are the iOS 11 features we found to be the most useful over the weeks we got to use it.
The new control centre
iOS 11's revamped control centre is its most eye-catching aesthetic change. When you swipe up, you’ll no longer see the half-screen block with a handful of connectivity and utility options. And you won't need to swipe across to a second screen to access the music control centre.
The new control centre fills the entire screen and presents you with a lot more options. At first it can seem a little confusing to navigate. However unlike previous command centres, the iOS 11 version is customisable. So you can add the features you use the most and delete the ones you don’t.
Once you’ve created a set-up that suits you, the command centre becomes a very handy shortcut to functions such as your alarm clock or turning your battery onto low power mode.
Also you can force touch some of the options, such as the sound and brightness sliders, to get full screen versions.
This should help eradicate small irritations, such as when you pull your phone out in direct sunlight, realise the brightness setting is so low you can’t see anything and then spend a minute fruitlessly swiping and jabbing at your phone in a bid to find the brightness slider.
Screen record
This is one of the standout new features of the upgrade. Not only can you screenshot your phone you will now be able to make a recording of what you’re seeing and doing. It’s a natural upgrade as often you want to share something that can’t be summed up in a still. For instance, if you want to show someone how to do something on their phone, you can now send a short clip of you doing it.
When screenshots were first introduced, few could have seen how quickly they would become a key part of mass usage. This feature could have a similar impact when released to the public.
Screenshot upgrade
The screenshot function has had a iOS 11 refresh. Now when you hit the home and power button at the same time a miniature version the screenshot appears in the bottom left hand corner for a few seconds.
If you tap on it, it immediately takes you to an edit screen where you can annotate and crop the screenshot before saving it to your camera roll.
Screenshots are a regular part of many people’s daily use and often you want to highlight one part or aspect of the shot before sharing. This update makes the whole process a bit easier and more intuitive.
Siri translate
Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, is also getting an upgrade in iOS 11. Hitherto, Siri hasn’t been useful for much other than voice-prompted internet searches and seeing what sassy answer it gives to frivolous questions.
One of her new tricks will be the ability to translate short phrases from one language to another and give you the correct pronunciation. A feature that will be genuinely handy for us monoglots abroad. Anyone who's undergone a crisis in a country where you don't speak the language will also know how useful this function could be.
Other things to note
There are some other features that are worth noting. One being the peer-to-peer Apple Pay feature, which is coming at a later date and will let you pay friends directly via text message. Another big feature coming is the Do Not Disturb While Driving function, which will put your phone onto Do Not Disturb mode when it detects its moving above a certain speed.
Now this move is to prevent drivers from getting distracted by their phones behind the wheel can only be lauded as it will no doubt save lives. Yet it does mean your phone will automatically switch onto Do Not Disturb if you're a car passenger or sitting on a train. So the feature has the capacity to also cause disruption as people could miss calls and texts as their phone switches itself to Do Not Disturb.