iOS 11.3 was officially announced by the Apple company for launch next month, and today those from Cupertino revealed the first major functions that they will offer. iOS 11.3 announced a function for monitoring the "health" of the iPhone battery, and Apple officially confirmed the implementation of this function.
Disable performance reduction on iPhone
iOS 11.3 will bring a function that will allow you to disable the system that reduces iPhone performance depending on the level of battery degradation. Apple implemented this function in iOS 10.2.1 and limits the performance of iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but all for a short time.
Apple promised that iOS 11.3 will display in the section dedicated to the battery detailed information on its "health" status and whether the iPhone's performance is limited or not. If they are limited, iOS 11.3 will display a button that will allow you to disable the system and return the performance to normal, although the phones could shut down suddenly during use.
"iOS 11.3 adds new features to show battery health and recommend if a battery needs to be serviced. These can be found in Settings -> Battery and are available for iPhone 6 and later. Additionally, users can now see if the power management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns, first introduced in iOS 10.2.1, is on and can choose to turn it off. This feature can be found in Settings -> Battery and is available for iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.”
New augmented reality experiences
Moving on, the Apple company announces the launch of ARKit 1.5, which will bring to the iPhone and iPad the possibility of placing virtual objects on walls, doors and many more surfaces. iOS 11.3 brings for developers much greater accuracy for placing these objects on almost any kind of surface, Apple managing to improve the real-time placement algorithms.
Moreover, the artificial intelligence in iOS 11.3 allows the placement of 2D images in images filmed in real time using the cameras of our phones, something that was impossible until now. Apple says that in iOS 11.3 ARKit will allow you to fill a museum with exhibits using ARKit 1.5, and separately from that, image resolution will be up to 50% better and automatic focus will also be integrated.
"In addition to horizontal surfaces like tables and chairs, ARKit can now recognize and place virtual objects on vertical surfaces like walls and doors, and can more accurately map irregularly shaped surfaces like circular tables. Using advanced computer vision techniques to find and recognize the position of 2D images such as signs, posters, and artwork, ARKit can integrate these real world images into AR experiences such as filling a museum with interactive exhibits or bringing a movie poster to life. The view of the real world through the camera now has 50 percent greater resolution and supports auto-focus for an even sharper perspective."
New Animoji for more fun
Whether you like it or not, Animoji will not disappear from the iPhone X, and in iOS 11.3 Apple intends to implement a new series of characters animated by our girls. In the video clip below you can see the new Animoji characters that iOS 11.3 will bring to iPhone X, Apple knowing that people use them frequently to have conversations.
Medical information in the Health application
For those who live in civilized countries where hospitals have entered the digital age, iOS 11.3 will also allow the storage of medical information in the Health application from iPhone phones. Whether we're talking about allergies, vaccines, test results, surgeries and any kind of information the hospital has about you, iOS 11.3 will be able to store them.
Apple has not announced the medical institutions that will be able to share this type of information, but their number will certainly not be that large, and outside the US it is hard to say which other countries will be able to offer them.
"The new Health Records feature brings together hospitals, clinics and the existing Health app to make it easy for consumers to see their available medical data from multiple providers, whenever they choose. Patients from participating medical institutions will have information from various institutions organized into one view and receive regular notifications for their lab results, medications, conditions and more. Health Records data is encrypted and protected with a passcode."
Business chat – chat with any company around the world
If Facebook Messenger allows private conversations with robots of large companies on the planet, the Apple company has implemented something similar for its users. The Messages application will allow interaction with companies that are interested in getting in touch with customers directly through messages sent in this application, the discussions being done in real time.
Apple says that initially only the companies below will be part of Business Chat, and if you expect to see such a function in Romania, then I recommend you wake up a little to reality.
"Business Chat is a new way for users to communicate directly with businesses right within Messages. This feature will launch in Beta with the public availability of iOS 11.3 this spring, with the support of select businesses including Discover, Hilton, Lowe's and Wells Fargo. With Business Chat, it's easy to have a conversation with a service representative, schedule an appointment or make purchases using Apple Pay in the Messages app."
Other functions
Apple will offer the possibility to watch videos through Apple Music without ads, and interested artists will also be able to release their videos through the platform. Apple News will have a new section to see the important videos of the day, and HomeKit will offer a new system to add support for accessories without compromising security.
iOS 11.3 will be released in February, but I think today we will have the first beta version available.
