Apple announced an upcoming update of its iOS that will allow iPhone users to disable the power management system designed to compensate for ageing batteries. The iOS 11.3 update coming this spring will also introduce new features such as business messaging, more animated emojis, enhanced augmented reality and the ability to manage health records on an iPhone.
The new option to disable the power management system follows Apple admitting earlier this month that it slowed down some iPhone models in order to compensate for degrading battery performance over the life of the phone. The company has since been accused in a number of lawsuits of intentionally shortening the life of its phones in order to prompt customers to upgrade to new models.
With the new iOS update, users will be able to stop the slower performance in the battery settings. Apple is also adding new features to show battery health and recommend if a battery needs to be serviced; these will be available on the iPhone 6 and later models.
Better AR
The iOS update also comes with an update to the ARKit SDK for developers to add augmented reality features to their iOS apps. 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.
Business-customer messaging
Messaging also gets an update in iOS 11.3, with the addition of more animoji options. These allow iPhone users to capture their own facial expressions in an emoji. With the new Business Chat option, Apple is following WhatsApp with a service for businesses to communicate with customers in the Messages app. Business taking part in the beta launch include Discover, Hilton, Lowe’s and Wells Fargo.
Health records on the iPhone
For the Health app, Apple is adding the option to share information with healthcare providers. Participating clinics, hospitals and other caregivers will be able to post patient data to the app, such as test results, appointments and medications. The information is encrypted and protected with a passcode.
Other new additions in iOS 11.3 will include music videos in Apple Music, without ads; an updated Apple News interface with more video stories; enhanced HomeKit software authentication for protecting privacy and security; and support for Advanced Mobile Location (AML) to automatically send a user’s current location when making a call to emergency services.
A developer preview of iOS 11.3 is available from 24 January. The final update will roll out this spring to owners of the iPhone 5s and later models, as well as the iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad mini 2 and later and iPod touch 6th generation.
