Tuesday was the release date for iOS 11, the latest version of the operating system that powers Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
If you own one of these devices — or you have a new iPhone 8 on order — here’s everything you need to know about iOS 11.
You Can Get It Now for Most Apple Mobile Devices
With Android, most smartphone owners have to wait for manufacturers and carriers to push out an update. That means waiting months or even years after a new release — unless you happen to have a Google Pixel or Nexus device from Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL), which get quicker access to updates.
Apple makes iOS updates available immediately to all compatible devices. If you own an iPhone 5s or newer, iPad Mini 2 or newer or a 6th generation iPod Touch, you should already see the iOS 11 update available in your settings.
Your 32-Bit Apps Are Toast With iOS 11
With iOS 11, AAPL is making the move to a fully 64-bit platform, for greater speed and performance. Past versions of the operating system have supported older, 32-bit apps, but Apple began warning users with a “this app will not work with future versions of iOS” message when 32-bit apps were launched.
Once you download and install iOS 11, any 32-bit apps you have (and those would be apps that haven’t been updated for two years or more) will no longer launch. Older versions of iOS will continue to run the 32-bit apps…
No Apple Pay Cash (Yet)
With iOS 11, AAPL was planning to take on PayPal Holdings Inc’s (NASDAQ:PYPL) PayPal and Venmo, and Square Inc’s (NYSE:SQ) Square Cash. Apple Pay Cash is the company’s new peer-to-peer payment system that lets iOS 11 users send cash to each other using Messages.
However, Apple Pay Cash isn’t quite ready for prime time. AAPL confirmed that the feature is coming later this fall in a separate iOS 11 update.
New iPad Features
With iOS 11, AAPL is making its iPads even more productive and better suited to take on laptops. Key new features include a Dock for quick access to frequently used apps and documents, Slide Over added to Split Screen for working with multiple apps and the ability to drag and drop files between apps. Apple is also introducing a new Files app that provides easy access to files –which have previously been hidden within associated apps.
Siri Gets Better
Beta testers say Siri is significantly improved with iOS 11. AAPL has worked on Siri’s voice to make the personal digital assistant sound more natural. On-device learning means Siri is also more personal and continues to get “smarter” with use. Also new for iOS 11 is translation from English to other languages including French and Spanish.
Do Not Disturb
One of the new features getting a lot of attention is Do Not Disturb. An iPhone detects if a person is driving, then automatically silences notifications to prevent distractions. Users can configure their iPhone to automatically send a reply informing someone who contacts them that they are currently driving.
Augmented Reality with ARKit
If there’s one marquee feature of iOS 11 –and one that has long-term implications for AAPL– that is probably augmented reality.
With the new operating system, hundreds of millions of Apple device owners will have access to the company’s powerful new augmented reality platform. The new iPhone X with its True Depth cameras has an advantage when it comes to inserting its owner into AR scenarios, but all iOS 11 users will be able to run new apps that leverage their camera and sensors to run a new generation of AR apps ranging from shopping applications to games.
New App Store
Finally, AAPL has given its App Store an overhaul, with a new look and improved functionality that should make it easier to find the apps you’re looking for.
Should You Upgrade to iOS 11?
Besides the key features listed, there are a lot more tweaks to iOS 11 that combine to make it a must-have for Apple device owners. The question is, do you need it now –as in today?
AAPL has been beta testing iOS 11 for months with millions of employees, Apple fans and app developers. It should be pretty solid. However there are always bugs in a new operating system and the company’s servers can also get very busy when a new operating system rolls out.
Downloading and installing iOS 11 today holds little risk, although it may take a little longer than usual. Personally, I prefer to wait a week or so for most of the remaining bugs to be addressed in an update. There’s less demand on AAPL’s servers at that point as well. Whether you do it now or later, iOS 11 promises to be a big leap forward for APPL devices and ushers in a new age of augmented reality.
As of this writing, Brad Moon did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
