11 features and improvements we'd like to see in iOS 11

by Preslav Kateliev / May 31, 2017, 6:32 AM

11 features and improvements we'd like to see in iOS 11

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference is coming up next week and we are about to catch a glimpse all the new software updates and developments that the company has been up to. Naturally, it's still a bit of a mystery what exactly Apple is going to reveal, but Mac OS and iOS are a safe bet, and we might even catch a glimpse of new features for Watch OS.

iOS 11-related whispers have been saying that we should expect a huge Apple Music revamp, all the new emoji that were only recently released, a dark UI skin, and other various goodies and tweaks. Of course, nothing is concrete, Apple being secretive and all that. So, we are still free to dream and wish about the features and improvements we'd like to see in iOS 11. We've compiled a list of the 11 things that we'd love to see in the new operating system — check it out! Also, feel free to add your own via the comments below.

11 features and improvements we'd like to see in iOS 11

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30 Comments

1. Bankz

Posts: 2545; Member since: Apr 08, 2016

Landscape support for music app ffs. How difficult can that be?

posted on May 31, 2017, 6:38 AM 2

2. epic_ninja420

Posts: 131; Member since: Nov 18, 2014

How about some legitimate improvements like bringing the stock mail app into the 21st century, giving us some sort of file explorer even if it doesn't allow access to system folders, the number row above the keyboard or at least add long press(force touch) to get to numbers and symbols. Home screen widgets would be nice too.

posted on May 31, 2017, 6:43 AM 2

15. Nine1Sickness

Posts: 896; Member since: Jan 30, 2011

File explorer? What's that? On a serious note, Apple users (Mac included) can care less about a file explorer. They just enjoy how their devices just work. Dealing with things like files are too complicated for them.

posted on May 31, 2017, 8:49 AM 4

26. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Agree. Plus on Unix system, file exploring is scary at best. Its certainly not for the faint of heart. File Explorer on Windows is very straight forward, because Windows doesn't use Unix sub-systems. My wish list would certainly be the numbers row., But I also want, an open file system. Apple can create a system partition where you can access it. The main reason Apple won't do it, because the iOS file system is flawed. In order to have an open file system, it means jail breaking would be unpreventable, because someone would fine a way to hack the system files to make jail breaking easier. Windows has a smart option where, if a system file is replace, it has a repository where the originals are kept and the OS automatically replaces them if they change. Unix does not do this. But we certainly need #1,3,4,5,7,8 is stupid. Setting for an app should be in EVERY app, not just the camera; #9 and 10 for sure. FOr me I need to be able to transfer any file type over BT or WiFI to another device...PERIOD. I need mass storage to be able to carry my own files...cloud storage is BS period...I don't care who offers it. Anyone who pays for cloud storage, even if it is a business are all fools. Especially when you can buy drives for less than 1.00 per GB. App settings in their respective apps. Icon placement where I want. Also get rid of the app home screens. Just make a app drawer where all the app icons are. Voice assistance don't need to be smarter, they need to be gotten rid of on all platforms.

posted on May 31, 2017, 2:09 PM 2

23. RoryBreaker

Posts: 218; Member since: Oct 11, 2015

Never gonna happen!

posted on May 31, 2017, 10:02 AM 2

3. MrElectrifyer

Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

So basically, a subtle way of saying "We'd like iOS 11 to be more versatile like stock Android". All that's required is Cydia integration with iOS, but unfortunately that's still a farfetched dream in the walled garden...

posted on May 31, 2017, 6:54 AM 6

8. Nopers unregistered

Why does everyone draw this conclusion? Improving iOS has nothing to do with Android, it's about what iOS users want.

posted on May 31, 2017, 7:30 AM 2

9. yyzamin

Posts: 382; Member since: Aug 26, 2015

He's a troll. As are most Android users that regularly post negative comments in Apple comments sections.

posted on May 31, 2017, 7:50 AM 2

27. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

So facts are negative now? FACT - Which is easier...swicthing screens just to type 2 numbers, or having the whole row on the same page as the latters? Wait...look at a real keyboard. Yes the numbers pad is easier than reaching for the numbers row for some. But you have na option. With Apple, its the way they want or nothing. He didn't say anything negative. And just because someone pointed out a con for iOS, doesn't mean they loe Android. I use both. Because I use both I can speak on both and iOS and how you have to use it, if for the stupid and retarded. If you want to praise stupidity like PA does, go it. But only a fool would have an issue with someone, just because they don'y see things the way you do.

posted on May 31, 2017, 2:13 PM 1

14. MrElectrifyer

Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

Perhaps 'cause we're so used to seeing so-and-so "copied/ripped-off apple", be it by apple fanatics or apple presstitutes, yet it's rarely ever stated when it's vice-versa, which is a lot more often...

posted on May 31, 2017, 8:35 AM 2

16. mikehunta727 unregistered

Apple and Google copy each other a ton, Android M and Nougat came with a ton of good features iOS has had for a while and vice versa in iOS 10

posted on May 31, 2017, 8:50 AM 1

17. kiko007

Posts: 7493; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Literally no one cares anymore. The two ecosystems take things from each other every year. It's as if they will one day merge into a singular entity one day, yet people will still find a way to complain. I also have a serious question, specifically for people like you whom despise Apple and iOS enough to read hate blogs about them: Why do you even care what iOS users say at all? You do realize the majority of which have no technical expertise beyond App downloading, and yet, you complain regardless. I find such antagonism to be quite disheartening, especially for people who consider switching. You don't HAVE to like iOS. In fact, I'm certain the majorityof you hate it more than Cancer. Even so, could you tone down the smugness a tiny bit? I'd like to think I've mellowed enough for this to actually be a thing we can converse about.

posted on May 31, 2017, 8:51 AM 1

19. MrElectrifyer

Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

"Literally no one cares anymore" Did you see post #8? He seems to care a lot when it's called out... "The two ecosystems take things from each other every year." 100% agreed. "I also have a serious question, specifically for people like you whom despise Apple and iOS enough to read hate blogs about them: Why do you even care what iOS users say at all?" I've been a jailbroken iOS user for over half a decade, it was inevitable to come across all the hypocritical comments. Even now that I've switched to Android, I still keep up with news from all major platforms, and still very often come across such hypocritical comments. Even worse when it's the writers themselves propagating the same reality-distortion message of "everyone copies/ripps off apple, not vice versa", including here on iPA: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Android-M-features-that-Google-borrowed-from-Apples-iOS_id70344 "Even so, could you tone down the smugness a tiny bit? I'd like to think I've mellowed enough for this to actually be a thing we can converse about." Please, preach the same to apple fanatics/presstitutes when it's vice versa...

posted on May 31, 2017, 9:07 AM 2

28. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

"I also have a serious question, specifically for people like you whom despise Apple and iOS enough to read hate blogs about them: Why do you even care what iOS users say at all? You do realize the majority of which have no technical expertise beyond App downloading, and yet, you complain regardless. I find such antagonism to be quite disheartening, especially for people who consider switching. " Yet you claim IOS users have the highest IQ's...and now you basically saying those same people are stupid and not computer literate! LOL

posted on May 31, 2017, 2:16 PM 1

30. kiko007

Posts: 7493; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Are you correlating computer savvy with IQ levels? Lol... reach.

posted on May 31, 2017, 3:27 PM 0

20. gynorm

Posts: 38; Member since: Jul 31, 2013

According to this article, making these improvments is what is already in Android. If it's considered an improvment and it's already in Android then where do you think they go the idea? This is why the fan war rages on because while Apple is more popular, Android has more and better features.

posted on May 31, 2017, 9:18 AM 2

25. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

It means you all want all the features of Android. But because you all are so shyte stupid, you sit there with an iPOS device which costs more and doesn't even have the features. When I bought my first iPhone I was excited, and hoped I would never have to switch back to Android. But then the GS3 came out and made me realize, I never had to settle for Android or iOS. That someone has the brains to bring something better. The problem with Apple is, all Apple employees alll think about the things the way Steve Jobs did. Narrow minded and stupid. All keyboards have a numbers row. Even hardware ones. Why would you not mimic that in software? Windowing apps has been available on operating system since the first GUI was invented. Since IOS is made from OSX, how does it not have it? Even Windows Mobile and Windows Phone, both have windowing apps. Bering able top p[lace icons where you want, and was even available in the original Mac OS and Windows 3.1. How does iOS not have this? Especially on the iPad, To be fair as I always am, small phone screens don't need splitview apps. The Galaxy S3 had it after an update, the the device is to small. But once you got to the Note and S5 an higher, then the bigger device is now useful with it. The base iPhone yes doesn't need it. But the plus should. After all, why call it a plus when it simply mimics all the same features as the base model? What's plus about it?

posted on May 31, 2017, 1:55 PM 0

4. cmdacos

Posts: 4209; Member since: Nov 01, 2016

Opt out privacy and security controls that we can tailor to our needs. Onboard file management is also a must.

posted on May 31, 2017, 7:12 AM 0

7. submar

Posts: 713; Member since: Sep 19, 2014

Well, just grab a phone with Android on it.

posted on May 31, 2017, 7:25 AM 2

10. Leo_MC

Posts: 7432; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

Yes: 2 (sort of), 6 (pretty please: I can't wait to delete Gboard and Swype - both sub-par when compared to Apple keyboard's functionality), 9. The rest are meh or whatever.

posted on May 31, 2017, 7:54 AM 0

12. cmdacos

Posts: 4209; Member since: Nov 01, 2016

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic regarding the keyboards. The iOS keyboard is horrible

posted on May 31, 2017, 8:19 AM 0

13. Leo_MC

Posts: 7432; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

I agree: iOS keyboard has a horrible look, compared to gboard, but a better functionality.

posted on May 31, 2017, 8:32 AM 0

29. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

IOS keyboards don't have any functions. You cant even swipe type. But to be fair, I don't like swipe-typing. But the iOS keyboard has no functions.

posted on May 31, 2017, 2:18 PM 0

32. Leo_MC

Posts: 7432; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

Dude, gboard has issues understanding what I want to write, while Apple's default keyboard... "just works". The main function of a keyboard is writing what the user wants; I can live with SwiftKey for now, but I would like to have swipe on the best keyboard for iOS, which is the default one.

posted on Jun 01, 2017, 1:29 AM 0

11. phonearenaviewer

Posts: 55; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

For me I want ONE feature. Bring back push in mail app for Gmail.

posted on May 31, 2017, 7:59 AM 1

21. Leo_MC

Posts: 7432; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

Apple can't give you that.

posted on May 31, 2017, 9:45 AM 0

22. darkkjedii

Posts: 31055; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Here's to hoping. I know what I need.

posted on May 31, 2017, 9:51 AM 0

24. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Sounds like you want an Android device. Maybe you blokes, should stop hating on Android or Samsung, who had brought all those things, are start hating on Apple for not doing so. The numbers row is a killer for me, because in my work I have to type lots of numbers along with text. Having to switch back and forth for measurements and stuff. is shameful and painful. There is no excuse for this even if it's licensed. Apple can afford to pay for license. Yet the fools claim the iPhone is easier to use vs Android. It's a complete an uttered lie. Being able to arrange icons? How many versions of iOS will it take for that to happen? I don't think its ever gonna happen. To do such, you'd have to admit the feature is better and Apple doesn't want to ever have to say someone else stuff is better, when Apple and the fans always claim their garbage is better. It is psinful to use an iPhone when you use an Android phone too. When I consider what I use the iPhoen for, where I constantly ave to type numbers, attach photos to messages or emails. All of that is so much easier on Android. When you compare Android 2009 to Android 2017, you can see how much has changed. When you conpare iPhone )S 2007 to iOS 10 2017, you find almost nothing has change. Most advanced operating system my ass. A statement Apple should NEVER make. Because it's not. Its about as good as feature phones. The iPhone is not a smartphone. Its a dumb-phone with a few smart features.