The 12 best iOS 11 features you haven't heard about yet
The next version of iOS has finally arrived and it's jam-packed with new features.
Though Apple detailed a few highlights of iOS 11 at WWDC on Monday-- like new powers for Siri, a new App Store, and more to do in iMessage -- there's much, much more that we didn't hear about.
Though the official public beta for iOS won't be available for a few weeks, developers already got their hands on the update, so we're starting to hear about some big changes Apple hasn't announced yet.
From new ways to preserve precious storage to one-handed keyboards, there's a lot to look forward to. (Of course, as with any beta, there could be some changes before iOS 11's official release this fall.)
1. Customizable Control Center
Finally! You can now rearrange and customize exactly which shortcuts appear in your Control Center, the swipe-up control that you can access via the bottom of the screen.
2. Personalized storage suggestions
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Tired of running out of space on your phone? iOS 11 will provide helpful suggestions on how you can reduce space-hogging photos, iMessage threads, and attachments you no longer need. Storage settings will now provide specific recommendations on how to save space that you can act on right from the settings.
3. Automatically delete unused apps
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Likewise, iOS 11 is making it easier to get rid of apps you don't use anymore. A new "offload unused apps" setting will automatically get rid of apps you don't use while preserving documents and data you may need should you want to use the app again.
4. Screen recording
A new feature lets you record your screen right from the iOS Control Center. While this will be particularly useful for developers and gamers, it also means you might want to think twice about what you're sharing on Snapchat.
5. Save your battery from your Control Center
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Another one to file under "Control Center improvements," iOS 11 will allow you to enable the battery-saving low-power mode without having to open the Settings app.
6. Rearrange multiple apps at once
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Another long overdue update, iOS 11 will let you move around multiple apps at once. Retooling your home screen has never been easier.
7. One-handed keyboard
It's been years since Apple started making its phones bigger but there's no getting around the simple fact that they're much more difficult (for many of us with smaller hands, at least) to use one-handed. Now Apple is finally adding a fix with its new one-handed keyboard modes. Better still: it's left-friendly too.
8. Native QR code support
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Apple briefly showed this one slide at the end of its WWDC presentation when discussing new features aimed at users in China, but native support for QR codes is good news for everyone. Now, you won't have to download a dedicated scanner app just for the QR code, which continue to make an unlikely comeback in so many apps.
9. Dark Mode
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Night Shift may no longer be the only way to help your tired eyes. Apple is adding a new way to invert colors on iOS -- effectively creating a "dark mode." It's not the first time Apple's teased us with such a feature. We saw similar functionality pop up in iOS 10's developer preview last year, but it never materialized in the final release.
10. Podcast app redesign
It's not just the App Store: Apple's Podcasts app has also been given a minimalist makeover.
11. Signal bars are back
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This is small, but something that's been a source of annoyance to some: Apple is ditching the circles and brining back the bars for showing the strength of your data connection.
12. App Store ratings reset (for developers)
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Apple previously revealed it would allow developers to respond to users directly in App Store reviews. But devs will have even more control of their App Store pages with the ability to reset their ratings when they release new updates.
Karissa was Mashable's Senior Tech Reporter, and is based in San Francisco. She covers social media platforms, Silicon Valley, and the many ways technology is changing our lives. Her work has also appeared in Wired, Macworld, Popular Mechanics, and The Wirecutter. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and watching too many cat videos on Instagram. Follow her on Twitter @karissabe.
