Apple announced the beta release of iOS 11.3, the first major update after the slowdown debacle. As Apple explained, the slowdown was just to save battery life, but the class action suit has already been filed.
As for the next update of iOS, Apple has made a string of announcements of what the new iOS 11.3 will bring us.
- New animoji for iPhoneX (16 new characters)
- New ARKit 1.5
- Business Chat with select companies (including Discover, Hilton, Lowe’s and Wells Fargo)
- Power management features
- Health Records combines health records from hospitals and providers with the Health App
- Music videos in Apple Music
- Advanced Mobile Location to send the location with an emergency call
- other functions
Credit: Apple iOS 11.3 press release
Besides the cleanup from the slowdown debacle, Apple has added some interesting features in this update. Most make the iPhone more fun as well as more functional for the user.
The one that is the most exciting is the new AR Kit 1.5 announcement. With AR being hailed as the ‘next big thing’, any support by the underlying operating system is a big step forward in developing those killer apps that will make AR a success. So far, the AR Kit has been capable of detecting horizontal surfaces and now Apple is adding support for detecting vertical surfaces and oddly-shaped surfaces. In other words, so far you could only put your virtual hat on the table, now you can hang it on the wall or a round table. In addition, there is support to identify objects like signs, posters and artwork. AR apps may allow you to watch a movie once you look at a poster in a museum for example.
The new AR Kit will also allow for a 50% higher resolution of the real world view on the screen and adds auto focus for a sharper picture of the world in front of you. (NH)
