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By 6 June 2017 | Categories: news

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Unlike Apple's standalone product launch events, WWDC often has a greater focus on the software side of things. This year's edition, which kicked off last in San Jose, California was no different, as iOS 11 was revealed for the iPhone and iPad. Based off initial impressions, however, it is the latter which will benefit more from the operating system refresh. 

To that end, Apple has billed iOS 11 as the biggest software update it has ever developed for the iPad. A large part of that is the new Files app, which can store all of a user's content in one location, whether that be locally, on the iCloud drive or via third-party service providers. The upshot of this is that content can be moved across between platforms and accessed more easily, according to Apple.  

Other improvements for iPads with iOS 11 include more applications for the Apple Pencil stylus, along with more machine learning capabilities to keep developers happy when their tinkering with new solutions. 

Moving onto the smaller, and more popular, brethren. Apple will be rolling out more Augmented Reality experiences for the iPhone, as well as the iPad. The former's camera and chipset should give it an added advantage in terms of AR quality in our opinion though. 

Speaking of which, Apple has a number of changes for the iOS 11 camera for the iPhone. The Portrait Mode has better optical image stabilisation, true tone flash for selfies and HDR functionality. Live Photos have also received Loop and Bounce effects to create content with more movement, and Memory movies will be put together for both portrait and landscape images. 

Apple didn't stop there, with the introduction of a QuickType keyboard for the one-handed iPhone mode, as well as things like indoor maps for the much maligned Maps app, customisation of the Control Centre, and a redesign of the App Store. 

All these features are set to land in mid-Q3 this year, with developers already given access and the beta rollout happening later this month. In terms of compatible devices, iOS 11 will available on the iPhone 5s and better, as well as all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, along with 5th gen iPads, iPad Mini 2 and 6th gen iPod Touch. 

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