Apple unleashes iOS 11 update
iPhone and iPad owners, grab your devices, because it’s time to update to iOS 11.
Apple has released iOS 11 to the public, complete with new features and improvements to existing features. There’s a new Files app to organize and access files on your device and in the cloud, an updated Control Center that you can customize to fit the way that you use your device, and a Do Not Disturb for driving that’ll disable notifications while you’re behind the wheel. Apple is making a big augmented reality push with this update, too, adding ARKit to help developers create AR apps.
Also included is an improved version of Siri with more natural voices and the ability to translate English into select other languages, a refreshed App Store, and both lane guidance and speed limits in Apple Maps.
iPad users have some new goodies to look forward to with iOS 11, like a Dock for quick access to select apps, improved Apple Pencil support, and Drag and Drop for moving content from one app to another.
One other iOS 11 detail worth noting is that Apple plans to add person-to-person Apple Pay payments to its Messages app. However, that feature is now slated to launch this fall.
To update to iOS 11, go into Settings > General > Software update on your device. The iOS 11 update is available for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, iPhone SE, and iPhone 5s. It’s also available to the iPad mini 2, 3, and 4; iPad 5th generation; iPad Air and iPad Air 2; and all iPad Pro models.
Also being released today is watchOS 4 for the Apple Watch. This update adds new features like a Siri watch face that’ll proactively display the info that you need and the ability to pair your Apple Watch with compatible gym equipment to sync info like heart rate and speed. With watchOS 4, the Apple Watch can also alert you if you’re close to reaching an activity goal in the evening and push you to complete the goal.
You can update to watchOS 4 by going to the Watch app on your paired iPhone and then selecting General and then Software Update.