Apple Announces Smart Speaker, Device Upgrades, and iOS 11

The update brings with it a new app called Files, which as you might have guessed is a file structure browser that looks a whole lot like a touchscreen version of Mac OS. It replaces the 9.7-inch version, although Apple is keeping the 12.9-inch model, which it also refreshed at WWDC. The speaker will respond to voice commands using Apple's voice assistant, Siri, and is closely integrated with Apple's Music services.

Tapping Apple's Siri digital assistant, such a speaker is expected to serve as a butler as well as an outlet for listening to music. As evidence, we present the short-lived (for now) listing of an Apple-made iOS app called "Files". Over a trillion photos per year are taken by iOS users, along with a ton of videos.

Apple has added HEVC video, offering more efficient compression. The company announced that Portrait Mode pictures using the iPhone 7 Plus would now using optical image stabilisation, True Tone flash and HDR, which should lead to significant improvements in portraiture.

As for Live Photos, you can now trim them, as well as mark any part of the video as your key photo.

Cook also launched iOS 11 with over 10 new features. Making the most of it will require a subscription to Apple's own music streaming service, which runs $10 to $15 per month and has attracted 27 million subscribers so far.

The speaker connects to home wifi and will be controlled by the human voice.

Japanese driver, engine make winning combo at Indy
I'll absolutely take a fast auto any day over one that's trotting around in the back that's going to finish the race. Foyt Enterprises, and this year, to Andretti Autosport, the best equipment he has steered in the series thus far.

The lock screen and notification center have been combined, so users can swipe between them, with widgets on the left, and camera on the right. Ratings will no longer automatically reset; developers can choose to rest the rating when submitting an update.

Apple is also adding translation capabilities to Siri, enabling users to ask it how to say something in another language. "Every element of the new App Store is richer, more handsome and more engaging". When you're using Maps for driving navigation, you will now see the speed limit as well as lane guidance so you don't have to switch lanes last minute or risk missing your exit.

The workout app is also getting an update, with features that give users more automatic measurements and track multiple workouts in a single session. "People are going to be able to do more, in more places than ever before".

Front and centre is a new customisable dock which is capable of stretching the full width of the screen when in landscape orientation.

The App Store has also received a face-lift, which centres on the use of tabs for apps and games. These new capabilities, Federighi said, make iOS the largest AR platform in the world. All the money that you receive will be collected in your Wallet app in the form of a Cash card. And yes, drag-and-drop is here, and it's glorious.

Pretty soon, users will be able to engage in AR-experiences on their iOS 11 running devices because Apple has just rolled out a developers kit for ARKit for them to design apps around the new platform. A public beta will be available by the end of June, with general availability arriving in the Autumn.


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