Apple announces iOS 11.3: Know what's new in latest update
Apple has previewed iOS 11.3 - the upcoming update to its latest operating system - that's arriving "this spring" for users; the developer beta has been released. From new Animoji, ARKit (Augmented Reality) update, iCloud Messages to a solution to the controversial battery slowdown issue, iOS 11.3 includes some really exciting features. Here's all about what's new in the latest version.
Users can finally "take control" of their iPhone battery
After facing criticism and lawsuits over secretly slowing the performance of iPhones with aging batteries, Apple is finally addressing the matter. With iOS 11.3, Apple will introduce a feature to provide detailed battery health information. Users can control their battery; they can also choose to disable the battery throttling feature and may even suggest battery replacement in case of issues.
iOS 11.3 brings the updated ARKit 1.5
Apple introduced ARKit through iOS 11 last year to bring Augmented Reality experiences to iPhone/iPad users. To provide more immersive AR experiences to its users, the Cupertino tech-giant brought ARKit 1.5 to iOS 11.3. While ARKit was pretty good, it could only recognize horizontal objects like tables and floor. But now ARKit 1.5 can recognize vertical objects (walls) and irregularly-shaped surfaces, too.
Apple adds four new, really cute Animoji
The iOS 11.3 update is also going to bring four new Animoji (animated emojis) - a lion, skull, bear, and dragon - to iMessage on iPhone X. This would give iPhone X users a total of 16 Animoji to choose from and "express themselves". Animoji are floating animated emojis that respond to the user's facial expressions through the device's FaceID motion-sensing front camera.
Messages on iCloud spotted in iOS 11.3 beta
Apple may finally bring the "Messages on iCould" to iOS 11.3 - a feature that would allow users to receive iMessages, read them, and also delete the messages anywhere (on any Apple device). It syncs messages across all Apple devices: phones, tablets, and laptops. "Messages on iCloud" also frees up storage space by storing photos and other message attachments in iCloud.
Facebook Messenger-like Business Chat feature on iMessage
With iOS 11.3, Apple is bringing a new feature to iMessage called "Business Chat". It works similar to Facebook Messenger's feature that allows users to chat with businesses/companies. Using Business Chat, users can make purchases or book service appointments without sharing contact details.
Keep track of all your medical records
iOS 11.3 would feature a new app called "Health Records" that "streamlines" all the medical data of the patient (user) across various healthcare providers. Users will be able to access all their medical records from different doctors, clinics, hospitals, or institutions in one place. Apart from showing the organized medical records, the app also sends notifications for lab results, conditions, medications, etc.
Users can stream music on multiple devices simultaneously
Reports say some AirPlay 2 features are included in iOS 11.3. It will offer "multi-room audio" feature on iOS devices so that can users can stream music to multiple devices at the same time. This would be possible if users install iOS 11.3 on an iOS device and tvOS 11.3 on Apple TV. AirPlay technology allows audio/video streaming between iTunes and iOS devices.
When and how can you get iOS 11.3?
iOS 11.3 would be a free update for iPhone 5S and later, iPad fifth-gen, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and later, and iPod Touch sixth-gen. Without giving an exact date, Apple just said iOS 11.3 would be released "this spring", means sometime between March-May. Developers can get releases from Apple Developer Site; regular users can join beta program to receive beta releases.
