One decade after the launch of the first iPhone, Apple is set to introduce the latest iOS. Deemed by the tech behemoth as the world's most advanced mobile operating system, iOS 11, still in public beta test, is packed with capabilities designed to help developers create cohesive and immersive user experiences.
Following are new features and long-anticipated upgrades included in iOS 11 that offer numerous opportunities for developers to build improved app experiences for their customers.
Open Your Access to AR
iOS 11 introduces ARKit, a new framework that elevates app experiences beyond the screen by placing objects in real world environments and allowing developers to apply their creativity in new and exciting ways. The smartphone will be the go-to consumer platform
to bring AR features to the masses so in order for developers to position themselves at the forefront of immersive technology, they will need to prioritize learning how to build with the ARKit.
Leverage Core Machine Learning
IOS 11 also introduces Core ML, a general-purpose
machine learning framework that developers can use to integrate machine learning into their apps. Intended to spare developers from having to build all the platform-level plumbing themselves, Core ML harnesses machine learning to do the thinking for them. For example, in just a few lines of code, Core ML can use an advanced machine learning model to identify objects in an image, which will allow image recognition within apps to track users' faces more effectively than Snapchat and Facebook. If used to its full potential, it will likely prove extremely useful in helping developers create more advanced applications by automating complicated tasks.
Strengthen Voice as an Interface
SiriKit debuted last year, allowing third-party app developers to integrate their products with Siri. iOS 11 will expand SiriKit with more domains (built-in apps of notes and lists) and support for payments, QR codes and ride booking. While conversing with technology isn't exactly a new idea, this iteration of iOS addresses a key area where there is room for improvement: apps can now, for the first time ever, offer transactional features through voice control. As the desire and feasibility for voice increases in popularity among consumers due to our increasing desire for
real-time communication, supporting SiriKit should be a high priority for app developers.
Build Apps from A-Z...and Don't Stop
The key to success as a developer, especially with all of iOS 11's new features, is a full immersion into the coding process. Developers learn what works by doing, so they will get the best possible learning experience out of going through the motions in the new operating system start to finish: planning, designing, coding, and finally, publicizing a finished product. With iOS 11, this has never been easier.
In programming though, technology changes at a breakneck speed. Considering the frequency with which new operating systems and development tools are released, there's no limit to a developer's learning potential. Plus, with 49% of developers reporting they spend at least 2 hours per week coding outside of work, if you're not upskilling in your spare time, you're going to get left behind.