iOS 11 Features Review: Apple Wows With Face ID, New Camera Lighting
Apple dropped a whole bunch of new information about the iOS 11 at the company's event in California recently, including the features fans should get excited about.
The iOS 11 boasts a new Face ID feature, but only iPhone X owners will be able to take advantage of this since the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus do not come with face recognition. This new feature will allow users to unlock their iPhone X devices using the face scanner. The same can be done with Apple Pay payments.
The face recognition is definitely something new for Apple, though some people have pointed out that Samsung was already one step ahead of the Cupertino giant when it came to this kind of technology. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, released earlier this year, also came with facial recognition.
However, one thing that sets the iPhone X apart from the Samsung Galaxy S8 models is the ability to customize emojis. Called "Animojis," the new feature can be found in iMessage and utilizes the same face recognition technology to animate the emojis using the user's own facial expressions.
On the iPad, the iOS 11 brings with a new dock similar to a Mac. There is also a new drag-and-drop feature, as well as a Do Not Disturb mode when driving. Those who love photography or simply taking selfies will have new camera lightings to play with. Developers can also use the new ARKit API to incorporate augmented reality into their apps.
However, the iOS 11 will not be compatible with all of Apple's past devices. When it comes to smartphones, the iPhone 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7 and 7 Plus are the only ones that can upgrade to the new system. The iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X will all come with the new system already installed.
Other devices that support the iOS 11 are the iPad Air, Air 2, 5th-gen iPad, iPad Mini 2, Mini 3, Mini 4 and 6th-gen iPod Touch. Additionally, all iPad Pros can upgrade to the iOS 11.
The iOS 11 will be released on Sept. 19.
