iOS 11 might have a feature that'll freak out YouTube and Twitch
Well, well, well, what do we have here?
Apple released iOS 11 developer beta 3 the other day and there's a new feature that hints at possible native livestreaming.
When you go into the redesigned Control Center and 3D Touch or long press on the Screen Recording shortcut button, the menu now says "Start Broadcast."
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On previous betas, the menu button said "Start Recording,"as shown on an iPad running iOS 11 public beta 1:
What does this mean? Will Apple announce its own livestreaming service this fall alongside the "iPhone 8," or are we thinking too much about a spelling change? Is this a hint at livestreaming your screen?
Livestreaming could be a boon for gamers who frequently livestream to platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. It's not hard to imagine an Apple TV app that lets viewers watch other players livestream games like Super Mario Run or Clash of Clans.
But despite the many ways you can livestream these days — Facebook, Periscope, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, etc. — Apple hasn't expressed any interest in livestreaming just yet.
With livestreaming, Apple could be looking to bolster its Services business, which includes iCloud, the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iTunes, and more. As announced during Apple's second quarter earnings, Services generated $7 billion in revenue during Q2 for the company.
It's in Apple's best interest to keep expanding its Services business in order to stay competitive.
The change in the wording in the beta is peculiar, but could be nothing at all. Apple frequently makes small refinements to its beta software only to remove the feature later.
YouTuber EverythingApplePro uploaded an extensive look at all of the small changes added to iOS 11 beta 3, which you can take a look at above.
Fingers crossed in hoping livestreaming is something coming to iOS, though. Who wouldn't want to become the next PewDiePie?
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
