iOS 11 Update: What’s in Store for iOS App Developers?

Every year, Apple reveals the latest version of iOS at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Apple has scheduled its WWDC 2017 in June. The company is expected to introduce iOS 11 at its upcoming annual developer conference. But many bloggers, app developers and market analysts have already started speculating about the changes that Apple would include in the next version of its mobile operating systems. Based on news and blogs posted on various websites, developers can gather information about the rumored features of iOS 11. Each news or blog describes in more detail the rumored features of iOS 10 based on information collected from various sources.

7 rumored Apple features may be included in iOS 11

1) iCloud Voicemail

iCloud Voicemail is currently in beta. But Apple is expected to include iCloud Voicemail officially in iOS 10. The feature aims to bridge the gap between emails and voice messages. Users can take advantage of iCloud Voicemail to send and receive voice messages more efficiently. At the same time, the feature will allow them to read the transcribed message at the touch of a button. Therefore, users can now receive messages without reading their voice messages.

two) Improved map application

The next version of iOS may come with an updated and redesigned Maps app. Apple uses a fleet of drones to make the redesigned Maps app deliver more relevant directions and information to users. It further enhances the map service dramatically by using the inland navigation features. Apple’s team will collect a variety of information, whether a road is under construction, changes made to a road, and traffic signs, quickly and efficiently based on information collected through drones. In addition, they will include the updated information in the Maps application on an ongoing basis to provide more relevant and up-to-date information to users.

3) New video sharing app

Apple can make it easier for users to share videos by including a new social media app in iOS 10. The social media app will help Apple compete with popular social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. In addition to allowing users to record and edit videos, the new video sharing app will also allow users to apply filters and drawings to the video clip. Users will have the option to share the video clips with their friends through popular social networks. Apple has also included a number of advanced features in the video sharing app to allow users to record, edit and share video clips in less than a minute.

4) dark mode

Apple has already included dark mode in iOS 10. But users do not have the option to enable dark mode while using iOS 10. iOS 11 will allow users to enable dark mode on their iPhones or iPads just like Apple TV.

5) Siri with natural-sounding voice

Every new version of iOS comes with an improved Siri. The updated version of Siri helps users to perform specific tasks and collect relevant information through voice commands. iOS 11 is expected to come with an updated Siri that sounds more natural. Therefore, users will feel like interacting with human beings while using the updated version of Siri. Users can take advantage of the feature to switch between light background and dark background seamlessly.

6) Option to check the availability of contacts

According to a patent application filed by Apple, many analysts believe that iOS 11 will allow users to check if a contact is available or not. The feature will further help the user to identify the current location of a contact and the operational status of their device. Apple can further simplify the process of checking a contact’s availability by incorporating these details into the Contacts app.

7) Group Facetime calls

Currently, Facetime supports one-on-one video calls. Therefore, users frequently use third-party apps like Skype and Facebook Messenger to set up group video chats. Apple is expected to release iOS 11 with an improved version of Facetime that will allow users to make group video calls. The updated version of Facetime can allow users to make calls to five users simultaneously. But users will still have the option to share their screens with other users.

Many analysts believe that iOS 11 will make around 8% of apps in Apple’s App Store obsolete. Since the next version of iOS will be available only for devices with 64-bit processors and software, more than 200,000 apps will soon be outdated. Therefore, iOS app developers have to rewrite and update a lot of apps to be relevant and take advantage of new features provided by iOS 11. However, developers can confirm rumored features only after Apple introduces iOS at its WWDC in Jun.