Apple today kickstarted WWDC 2017 by unveiling iOS 11, the next major version of its mobile operating system for iPhone and iPad. iOS 11 comes with a number of new features and UI enhancements, some of which were long asked by power iOS users.

Redesigned Control Center

Apple is redesigning the Control Center in iOS 11. It now works in full screen mode, comes with a few more toggles, and only occupies a single page. On iPhones with 3D Touch, one can 3D touch on the toggles to gain access to more system toggles. Similarly, one can 3D touch the music controls to gain access to the Music app.

Camera App Updates

The new Camera app in iOS 11 will allow the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus to capture videos in HVEC format that occupy less space and offer better quality. Apple will also be switching over to HIFF image format that offers up to 2x compression.

Other camera app improvements on iOS 11 include improved low-light photography, a better Portrait mode, and more. There is also a new Depth API that will allow developers to offer Portrait mode in their apps as well.

Live Photos is also getting an upgrade in iOS 11 and will allow one to trim, mute, change exposure, select frames, and more.

Peer-to-Peer Payments in Apple Pay

Apple is debuting peer-to-peer payments with iOS 11 in Apple Pay. The feature is integrated into iMessage so one can directly use iMessage to send money to their friend or family which will show up in Apple Pay under Apple Cash. This Apple Cash can be used to pay for items at retail stores, make online purchases, and more.

Redesigned Lock screen and Notification Center

Apple is merging the lock screen and notification center with iOS 11. By doing this, it is making it easier for users to manage their notifications.

Maps

Complete with lane-change guidance and speed limit warnings to let you know how fast you should be going, it will provide more of the information you want to see at a glance while navigating on the road.

In addition, those who go to malls will like the new floor plans and indoor mapping, which help you navigate inside on foot while you’re inside of large malls.

Redesigned App Store

Phil Schiller just made perhaps the most surprising and impactful announcement at Apple’s WWDC keynote: the App Store is getting a complete redesign. This is the first time this has happened since the App Store was introduced back in 2008.

The new App Store looks a lot like Apple Music and Apple News. Images are larger with rounded corners, and header text is large and bold. There’s a new Today tab, with big, color cards you scroll through that shows app previews and updates, news, tips and guides, and more. There will also be an app of the day, game of the day, and a daily list of suggestions.

Games also now have their own tab, separate from apps, which should make non-game developers pretty happy. This is going to be one of those things where we are going to have to go hands on with to cover the extent of the changes.

CarPlay on iOS 11 has DND while driving

A real important step for safety in the car was just introduced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference that’s currently underway in San Jose: Do Not Disturb mode while driving. Apple’s proactive assistant on iOS 11 determines when you’re driving and offers to automatically turn on DND mode via CarPlay.

With DND active while driving, CarPlay won’t be showing any notifications, similar to DND mode on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. And if someone message you while DND mode is active on CarPlay, the Messages app on your iPhone will auto-respond with a message on your behalf telling the sender that you’re currently driving and will be getting back to them soon.

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