UPDATED 00:58 EDT / FEBRUARY 06 2017

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Rumored features for iOS 11, due out at WWDC in June

Releases for iOS 10 are still in full swing, and Apple Inc. released iOS 10.2.1 to the public and iOS 10.3 beta at the end of January, but none of that hasn’t stopped the many rumors for what we can expect in iOS 11.

Here’s some of the rumored features for iOS 11, including group video calling for FaceTime, a video-sharing app, improved voicemail transcription, Dark Mode and more:

Launch and release date

While there isn’t a firm date in place of when Apple will announce iOS 11, it’s likely to take place at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which takes place in June. The final dates for WWDC will likely be announced in April.

If Apple follows the same release procedure as iOS 10, the first beta of iOS 11 will be released to developers a few days after the WWDC announcement, followed by a public beta in July.

The final release of the latest operating system will take place in September together with the announcement of the iPhone 8.

Rumored features for iOS 11

Apple to end support for 32-bit apps

According to a vague warning message received in iOS 10.3 beta, Apple could be planning to end support for 32-bit apps in iOS 11 and only support 64-bit apps.  

Group FaceTime calls

One of the main focuses of iOS 11 is rumored to be group video calls for FaceTime, according to Israel-based technology blog, The Verifier, who cite sources familiar with iOS development.

Since its debut in 2010, FaceTime (pictured) has solely be focused on one-on-one calls, so even though The Verifier isn’t known for iOS rumors, it’s likely video calls will arrive sooner rather than later to compete with other video calling apps, like Skype, Hangouts, etc, that already offer group video calling.

Another rumor for both FaceTime and Messages is the introduction of screen-sharing functionality, a feature already available in the Messages app for macOS users.

Video-sharing app

Bloomberg reported in August that Apple is working on a video-sharing app that will allow users to add Snapchat or Instagram-like filters and drawings to videos and share them with contacts and on social media.

The video-sharing feature could be incorporated into the iPhone’s camera app or could be a standalone app available for download from the App Store.

If Apple does release a video-sharing app as part of iOS 11, it will allow the company to compete with popular apps like Instagram and Snapchat. According to Snap Inc.’s recent IPO filing, Snapchat is used by more iOS users than Android, thus the company focuses more development resources on iPhone users.

Dark Mode

Apple has slowly been integrating Dark Mode into certain apps, including the Clock app, which is dark by default in iOS 10. Developers have also discovered a Dark Mode for the Settings and Messages app. Apple also added a Dark Mode in tvOS 10 released in September.

With rumors pointing to an OLED display for the iPhone 8 due out in September, a Dark Mode could increase iPhone battery efficiency.  

More information about contacts

Apple has filed a patent that could allow users to see when their friends are available based on mobile phone status. To ensure a user’s security, it’s likely that users will be able to disable the feature.

It is also rumored that Apple will introduce social features in the Contacts app. When you tap the information icon in the Messages app, additional options could include text messages, emails and social media interactions, these will be in addition to the current information that is displayed, like location, photos and attachments.

Improved voicemail transcription

In iOS 10, Siri is able to transcribe your voicemails. Improvements for the feature are expected in iOS 11.

Continuity feature for media

The Continuity feature in iOS 10 allows users to access apps across iDevices, exactly where they left off. The feature is available in apps like Mail, Maps, Safari, Reminders, Calendar, Contacts, Pages, Numbers and Keynote, but is expected to be expanded to Apple Music, Podcasts and iTunes in iOS 11.

Improved Maps with drone and indoor mapping data

Apple is hoping to improve its Maps app by using drones to determine construction zones and changes in roads. Collected data will be evaluated by the Apple team and then uploaded to the Maps app.

Apple also hopes to improve navigation within buildings with indoor mapping data.

Improved Siri

Improvements for Siri include a more “natural sounding voice,” according to Business Insider, as well as additional functionality that will allow you to use Siri to post to Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and more.

iMessage comes to Android users

Apple is rumored to introduce iMessage to Android users in iOS 11, allowing for easier group communication with friends and family who don’t own an iPhone.

Source: Forbes

Image via Apple

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