Apple Releases iOS 11.3; Bringing New Features, Enhancements & Bug Fixes
On Thursday Apple released iOS 11.3 to the public. In addition to some new
features and enhancements, this release also brings a number of improvements
for blind and low vision users.
Accessibility Improvements in iOS 11.3
In iOS 11.3, Apple has made continued progress towards addressing the
accessibility bugs in iOS 11 <http://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/active> .
Based on our testing, we believe the following issues have been resolved in
iOS 11.3:
* VoiceOver once again consistently and correctly announces the
number of items on Home Screen badges (such as with the Messages app).
* Accessing the VoiceOver Actions menu on Lock Screen notifications
is once again consistent and reliable.
* In the list of recent calls in the Phone app, VoiceOver once again
announces which phone (Mobile, Home, Work, etc.) the call was to/from.
* When bluetooth is enabled, but no device connected, the bluetooth
icon in the Status Bar no longer confusingly reports via VoiceOver feedback
"Bluetooth Connected". VoiceOver now says "bluetooth on."
* On the Now Playing screen of the native Music app, VoiceOver no
longer finds and speaks elements which are not visually present on this
screen.
At the time of posting, we are unaware of any new bugs or regressions for
blind or low vision users in iOS 11.3. However, as we always stress, it is
impossible for us to test all devices; configurations; and use cases-so
there may be improvements or regressions that we did not identify during the
beta cycle.
General Changes in iOS 11.3
In keeping with the spring updates in the last couple of years, Apple gave
us a preview
<https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/01/apple-previews-ios-11-3/> in
January of some of the new features that would be coming in iOS 11.3:
This spring, iOS 11.3 will deliver exciting new ways to experience augmented
reality on iPhone and iPad, new Animoji on iPhone X and the ability to view
health records in the Health app.
Perhaps the most notable new feature in iOS 11.3 is one that Apple chose not
to mention in its preview, and that's the introduction of more detailed
information about the health of your device's battery. This includes the
ability to check if the power management feature" that limits the maximum
power output to prevent unexpected shutdowns is enabled, and choose to turn
it off if it has been automatically activated.
iOS 11.3 also introduces a new Business Chat tool that will allow users in
the US to communicate with businesses via the native Messages app.
According to AppleInsider
<https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/03/29/apple-business-chat-in-ios-113-t
akes-on-social-media-in-privacy-sophistication> , Apple Business Chat "will
enable individuals to communicate--via Messages--with customer service teams
at verified companies for help with product orders, troubleshooting and
scheduling appointments--all without demanding that they give up extensive
reams of personal data and social links":
Apps in iOS 11.3 can present chat icons that enable users to initiate a new
Business Chat
Finding a company and starting a Business Chat is easy: users simply click
on one of the new chat icons suggested by Safari or Spotlight search,
associated with a location in Maps or appearing on the web.
Individuals can also point their iPhone camera at a special QR code in a
store or attached to a product. iOS will recognize the QR code and offer to
initiate a chat.
Assuming that there is a good take-up of this facility by businesses, we
would agree with AppleInsider's opinion that Business Chat "offers
attractive advantages over both emails and telephone conversations because
its conversational threads don't require actively waiting on hold for a
phone response and don't involve the length and weight of emails."
The release notes for iOS 11.3 via MacRumors
<https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/29/ios-11-3-release-notes/> highlight
the following changes:
Augmented Reality:
* ARKit 1.5 allows developers to place virtual objects on vertical
surfaces like walls and doors in addition to horizontal surfaces
* Adds support for detecting and incorporating images like movie
posters or artwork into AR experiences
* Supports a higher resolution real-world camera view when using AR
experiences
iPhone Battery Health (Beta):
* Displays information on iPhone maximum battery capacity and peak
performance capability
* Indicates if the performance management feature that dynamically
manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns is on and
includes the option to disable it
* Recommends if a battery needs to be replaced
For more information on batteries and performance, visit this website:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208387
iPad charge management:
* Maintains battery status when the iPad is plugged in for extended
periods of time, such as when used in a kiosk or point-of-sale system, or
stored in a charging cart.
Animoji:
* Four new Animoji available on the iPhone X: lion, bear, dragon and
skull.
Privacy:
* When an Apple feature asks to use your personal information, an
icon now appears with a link to access detailed information about how your
data will be used and protected.
Business Chat (Beta) - US Only:
* Communicate with companies to easily ask questions, schedule
appointments, and make purchases inside the built-in Messages app on iPhone
and iPad
Health Records (Beta) - US Only:
* Access health records and view lab results, immunizations, and
more in a consolidated timeline in the Health ap
Apple Music:
* Provides a new experience in video clips, including a Revised
Video Clips section featuring exclusive video playlists.
* Find friends with similar tastes through Apple Music's improved
suggestions, which list the genres that the users and mutual friends follow.
News:
* The main titles now always appear first in "For You."
* Watch the best videos selected by News editors.
App Store:
* Four options now allow you to sort the customer reviews on the
product pages: the most useful, the most favorable, the most critical or the
most recent.
* The Updates tab now shows the version of the app and the size of
the file.
Safari:
* Promotes the protection of privacy by notifying usernames and
passwords until they have been selected in a web form field.
* Presents warnings in the smart search field when the user
interacts with password entry forms or credit card data on unencrypted web
pages.
* Automatic filling of usernames and passwords is now available in
apps' web views.
* By default, articles shared via Mail from Safari are now formatted
using Reader mode, if the drive is available.
* In Favorites, folders now have icons for the bookmarks they
contain.
Keyboards:
* Adds two Shuangpin keyboard layouts.
* Supports connected physical keyboards using Turkish F layout.
* Improves Chinese and Japanese keyboards for better accessibility
on devices with a 4.7-inch or 5.5-inch screen.
* Allows you to return to the keyboard with a simple touch after the
dictation.
* Fixes a problem that could cause the capitalization of the first
letter of some words by the automatic correction feature.
* Fixes an issue on the iPad Pro that prevented the iPad Smart
Keyboard from working after connecting to a captive Wi-Fi hotspot.
* Fixes a problem that could cause undesirable activation of the
digital layout on the Thai keyboard in landscape mode.
Accessibility:
* The App Store now supports accessibility options "Bold Text" and
"Large Font" for customizing the display.
* Smart Reversal now supports images on the web and in Mail
messages.
* Enhances the RTT experience and supports RTT service for T-Mobile.
* Improves app selection on the iPad for VoiceOver users and
selection control.
* Corrects a problem with the incorrect description of the Bluetooth
status icon and the Bluetooth icon by VoiceOver.
* Fixes a problem that may prevent the end of call button from
appearing in the Phone app when using VoiceOver.
* Fixes an issue preventing access to an app's built-in ranking with
VoiceOver.
* Fixes a problem that may cause distorted audio playback when using
real-time listening.
Other Enhancements and Fixes:
* Supports AML technology, which provides more accurate location
data to emergency services during an emergency call (in countries where this
technology is available).
* Supports software authentication, which provides developers with a
new way to create and activate HomeKit-compatible accessories.
* Podcasts now plays episodes with a single tap, and you can tap
Details to learn more about each one.
* Improves search performance for users with long notes in Contacts.
* Improves the performance of Handoff and the universal clipboard
when both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
* Fixes a problem that may prevent incoming calls from activating
the screen.
* Fixes a problem that may prevent or prevent voicemail playback.
* Fixes an issue that prevents opening a web link in Messages.
* Fixes a problem that may prevent users from returning to Mail
after previewing an attachment to a message.
* Fixes a problem that could cause the deleted screen to reappear on
the locked screen.
* Fixes a problem that can cause the time and notifications to
disappear on the locked screen.
* Fixes an issue that prevents parents from using Face ID for
approving purchase authorization requests.
* Fixes a problem that could prevent updating of the current weather
conditions in Weather.
* Fixes a problem that could prevent the synchronization of contacts
with a vehicle directory when connected via Bluetooth.
* Fixes a problem that may prevent an audio app from playing content
in a vehicle while it was in the background.
iOS 11.3 is available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software
Update) or via iTunes on a Mac or PC.
Apple Releases watchOS 4.3, tvOS 11.3 & the First Software Update for
HomePod
Along with the release of iOS 11.3
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-ios-news/apple-releases-ios-113-bringin
g-new-features-enhancements-and-bug-fixes> , Apple also releases watchOS
4.3, tvOS 11.3 and the first software update for HomePod.
According to MacRumors
<https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/29/apple-releases-watchos-4-3/> , the
watchOS 4.3 release:
introduces support for Nightstand mode when the Apple Watch is positioned in
a portrait orientation, a feature that was previously only available when
the watch was placed in landscape orientation on its side.
The update also reintroduces a much-desired feature that allows music
playing on the iPhone to be controlled using the Music app on the Apple
Watch.
Other new features in watchOS 4.3 include:
a new charging animation when the Apple Watch is placed on the charger and a
new app loading animation when opening up an app. You'll also now see your
Activity data on the Siri watch face, and the batter complication more
accurately reports battery life.
According to MacRumors
<https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/29/apple-releases-tvos-11-3/> , the tvOS
11.3 update
introduces enhancements to Match Content support, automatic frame rate
switching on the fourth-generation Apple TV (a feature that was added to
Apple TV 4K in a past update), and automatic mode switching for AirPlay
video sessions.
MacRumors also reports
<https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/29/apple-releases-11-3-homepod-software/>
the release of the first software update for HomePod:
It's not clear what new features are included in the HomePod software just
yet, but we are waiting on both AirPlay 2 and a feature to allow two
HomePods to be paired together for stereo sound. Apple's release notes don't
divulge any details about what might be included, suggesting these features
have not been implemented.
According to the release notes, the update "includes general improvements
for stability and quality."
We have been unable to test any of the updates before their public release.
How to Update
watchOS 4.3 is available by going to the Watch app on your iPhone and
navigating to General> Software Update. To install the update, your Watch
must be connected to its charger and have at least 50% battery power.
To install tvOS 11.3, go to the Settings channel then look for the System
section near the bottom. From here, look for Software Updates under
Maintenance, then select Update Software and Download and Install.
The software update for HomePod should automatically be installed when you
update to iOS 11.3. This MacRumors guide
<https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/homepod-software-update/> tells you how
to check the HomePod software version; and how to force an update if
necessary.
Apple Releases macOS 10.13.4 with New Features & Bug Fixes
Apple has today released macOS High Sierra 10.13.4, bringing new features
and bug fixes.
Our testing of macOS 10.13.4 suggests that there is at least one fix for
VoiceOver users in this release:
* VoiceOver once again speaks characters as you type in the Safari
address bar.
We are currently unaware of any other accessibility-related changes,
regressions or improvements in macOS 10.13.4
General Changes in macOS 10.13.4
According to Apple's release notes via Mac Rumors
<https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/29/apple-releases-macos-high-sierra-10-13
-4/> , the macOS release includes the following changes:
The macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 update improves the stability, performance,
and security of your Mac, and it is recommended for all users. This update:
* Adds support for Business Chat conversations in Messages in the US
* Adds support for external graphics processors (eGPUs)
* Fixes graphics corruption issues affecting certain apps on iMac
Pro
* Allows jumping to the right-most open tab using Command+9 in
Safari
* Enables sorting Safari bookmarks by name or URL by right clicking
and choosing "Sort by..."
* Fixes an issue that may prevent web link previews from appearing
in Messages
* Helps protect privacy by only AutoFilling usernames and passwords
after selecting them in a web form field in Safari
* Displays warnings in the Safari Smart Search Field when
interacting with password or credit card forms on non-encrypted web pages
* Displays privacy icons and links to explain how your data will be
used and protected when Apple features ask to use your personal information
macOS 10.13.4 is available via the updates tab in the Mac App Store.
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