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Half of all iOS devices are running iOS 12
More than half of all iPhones, iPads, and iPods are running iOS 12, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system, just over three weeks after the OS was released. Folks are taking to iOS 12 way faster than its predecessor. It took 50 days—about twice as long—for iOS 11 to reach 50 percent of devices, as documented by ZDNet.
iOS now informs you when it wants your personal data
In iOS 11.3 (and macOS 10.13.5), Apple has introduced a new data and privacy feature where users can get a better understanding of how their data is used. Now whenever Apple asks for access to information to enable certain features or experiences, a privacy icon will appear -- two blue silhouettes shaking hands -- along with detailed privacy info for those who want to learn about what's being done with their data.
Microsoft adds support for iOS Files app, drag and drop to OneDrive
Apple's latest operating system for its mobile devices, iOS 11, added a ton of productivity tweaks. One of the biggest is Files, a new, well, file system for iOS that lets users interact more directly with documents and images without having to go through an associate app. Now Microsoft has just added several new features for its Office and OneDrive iOS apps, including access to OneDrive through the Files app. Other additions feature drag and drop capabilities, co-authoring on iOS (and Mac), and a better list view in OneDrive to help find your files more easily. Microsoft has also added new features to its Slack competitor Teams, like the ability to add interactive cards from apps into chats.
Charizard will look life-size with the 'Pokémon Go' AR+ update
The latest update for Pokémon Go doesn't add new monsters. Instead, it takes advantage of iOS 11's advanced augmented reality tech to give you a better look at them. "The new AR+ feature builds on the core AR gameplay in Pokémon Go and leverages Apple's ARKit framework to enhance the visuals and dynamics of catching Pokémon in the real world," a blog post says. Meaning, Pikachu and pals will now be the proper size based on where you find them. Getting closer or backing up will cause them to change in size and perspective from here on out assuming you have an iPhone 6s or newer.
Google embraces the notch with iPhone X Gmail update
First released on November 3rd, the iPhone X forced developers to scramble to adapt apps to that famous notch and the lack of a home button. Google is no exception, and after optimizing its productivity suite last week (Docs, Sheets and Slides), it's now Gmail's turn. No longer will you have to put up with a letterboxed view of your communications, as Google's mail app now integrates the cutout in its top rail.
Apple Pay Cash money transfers are available in the US
Apple had to rush-release iOS 11.2 to tackle a nasty date-sensitive bug, leaving hopeful Apple Pay Cash users twiddling their thumbs. Thankfully, you haven't had to wait too long -- Apple's money transfer service is rolling out in the US. As promised, you can add a virtual Apple Pay Cash card to iOS' Wallet app and send Venmo-style payments through your iMessage chats. If you owe a friend for pizza, you don't have to download a separate app or hit the ATM to settle your debt.
Google Docs, Slides and Sheets now feature drag-and-drop on iPad
It was nice to see Google integrate its Drive apps into iOS 11's document-consolidating Files, but it seems they're not done refining. This morning, the search giant updated several of its productivity suite apps for iOS to add two features: Compatibility with iPhone X and drag-and-drop functionality on iPad.
Apple pushes out iOS 11.1.1 to fix annoying autocorrect bug
Apple gave its mobile software a facelift when it released iOS 11 back in September, but bugs led the company to push out an 11.1 update a month later to protect user security from that WPA2 Krack vulnerability. Turns out that version introduced another set of squirrely issues, which has led Apple to release iOS 11.1.1 today. You can finally say goodbye to that stupid autocorrect bug switching out the letter 'i' for all manner of gibberish.
Apple Clips has better controls and loads of new 'Star Wars' effects
Apple's Clips video creation app is less than a year old, but it's already getting a big update. Thanks to lots of user feedback and the proliferation of new, more powerful iOS devices, Clips is now more polished than ever, and that's very good news for people looking to craft their next viral video masterpiece.
AI-powered app finds and locks away your racy photos
Hiding racy photos on your phone can be a tedious, manual affair. Depending on the app, you need to first select all the pics you want to move, move them and then delete them from your original cameral roll. That's not to mention making sure they didn't go to any automatic cloud backup locations like iCloud or Google Photos. A new app, Nude, aims to make the process a lot easier by scanning your photos for nudes, putting them in a private vault, deleting them from your camera roll and then erasing them from iCloud. All of this analysis is done on your iPhone, too, so no sensitive information hits the cloud.
German soccer team puts players on your iPhone for AR selfies
Sports teams and broadcasters have been going all-in on high-tech initiatives lately. The NFL was an early adopter, with AR features appearing on Fox Sports broadcasts. The NBA just released an augmented reality mobile hoops game, Samsung has put MLB and the UFC on its Gear VR and ESPN is streaming X Games content to VR headsets as well. German soccer team, FC Bayern Munich, is taking its first AR steps, too, with a new feature in its iOS app that brings team captain Manuel Neuer or forward Arjen Robben into your iPhone for celebrity selfies.
Can an iPad Pro replace your PC?
In 2016, Apple believed its professional-grade tablet, the iPad Pro, was ready for the big time. Phil Schiller even described the machine as "the ultimate PC replacement" when describing the product onstage. The company's own advertisements claimed that the device could do everything a desktop or laptop could do. But that wasn't really true until the launch of iOS 11, when the company really let the iPad off the leash.
A 'new' version of iTunes brings back apps and ringtones
Still need a way to manage your applications and ringtones in addition to your music, movies and other media on your iPhone? Well, there's an app for that. Following iTunes' massive overhaul (version 12.7 if you're keeping track at home), the company has since released a version of the software that will let you continue to download and install apps to your handset via a desktop computer.
Apple acquires AI tech that seeks to understand your photos
At WWDC this year, Apple announced that iOS11 would have a new and improved Photos app, thanks in part to machine learning and AI. Apparently some of the advancements in this technology could be due to the acquisition of Regaind, a French startup that's known for its computer vision tech. According to TechCrunch, Apple may have purchased Regaind earlier this year.
Google Drive documents are now accessible in iOS 11's Files app
What good is the Apple Files app that came with iOS 11 anyway? Well, now that Google Drive plays nicely with it, the possibilities are... okay, they aren't endless, but you get the idea. Now that iOS has a central file library, it's nice that your items stored in the cloud are accessible there as well. Dropbox did something similar recently, too. It's nothing major, but folks who use Drive on their mobile devices a lot, or use an iPad as a PC replacement, will probably appreciate this quality of life improvement.
Netflix adds HDR support for iPhone 8, iPhone X and iPad Pro
Netflix is adding high dynamic range (HDR) support to more mobile devices. A handful of Android handsets are already benefitting from the picture upgrade, including the LG G6, Sony Xperia XZ Premium, and Samsung Galaxy Note 8, among others. Now, thanks to the release of iOS 11, iPhone users suffering from FOMO can get in on the action too. You'll be able to binge watch in Dolby Vision HDR on the newly launched iPhone 8, 8Plus, and the upcoming iPhone X. Along with Apple's new smartphones, iPad Pro (2nd-gen) owners will also receive the bump in picture quality -- that goes for both the 10.5 and 12.9 inch models of the tablet.
iOS 11 forces Uber to loosen its location tracking
Uber has followed through on its promise to restore your ability to block the app from tracking your location even when you're not using it. More precisely, it had no choice but to do so, at least for iPhones and iPads. The latest version of Apple's mobile platform gives you the power to prevent apps from accessing location data when they're not active. That's why Uber has brought back an option marked "While Using the App" under its location settings, and you'll get it back even if you haven't updated to iOS 11 yet.
iOS 11's Control Center buttons don't fully turn off Bluetooth or WiFi
If you've updated to Apple's new iOS 11, you might have played around with the new Control Center. You also might think that toggling Bluetooth and WiFi "off" in the Center might actually, you know, turn them off. Turns out, you'd be wrong. As noted over at Motherboard, hitting these buttons really only disconnects you from any WiFi or Bluetooth devices you might be connected to.
iOS 11 is here with improved multitasking and AR
With multitasking, ARKit and more AI smarts, iOS 11 is one of Apple's biggest iOS updates yet. It just started rolling out around the world, so don't be surprised to see a message on your iPhone or iPad soon. If you've been procrastinating, now would be a good time to backup your photos, videos and other precious data -- in the past, iOS updates have been buggy, gone less than smoothly and eaten up precious storage.
iOS 11 review: A big deal for iPads, but not iPhones
Last year's iOS 10 was all about refining Apple's mobile experience -- it was "like polishing a pearl," I noted at the time. Now, with iOS 11, Apple is focusing even more on its big-screen iPad experience, but at the same time, it's leaving the iPhone a bit behind. Even though we didn't get any dramatic changes last year in iOS 10, it brought along a slew of useful features to the iPhone. That included bringing apps and Snapchat-like elements into Messages, as well as opening up 3D Touch more to developers. This time, though, iPhone users might have a hard time noticing that they've upgraded. On the flip side, iOS 11 is great news for iPad fans who want to do more with their tablets.
