New iOS 11 update enhances iPhone user experience

iOS 11 features a new notification center, App Store changes and visual redesigns.

Lauryn Uhlenberg

Released on Sept. 19, the new iOS 11 iPhone update features new changes in design and improvements in the functionality of the phone.

Most noticeably, iOS 11 changed the way the control center operates. It is completely redesigned and allows for customization in the settings, one of the more popular customizations being the new ability to video record the screen of the phone from the control center.

Siri has been upgraded to be increasingly intelligent and to sound more realistic. She is now able to translate different languages, including French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

The notification center is no longer separate from the lock screen. The two have been combined so when the screen is swiped down with a touch, both the notifications and lock screen are shown.

The Do Not Disturb feature now includes a setting for driving, which means no notifications will be received when the phone detects it is on the road. This addition improves the safety of its users and was received with positive responses.

Another notable change is seen in the App Store, where there is now a subsection entirely for games. This change makes it quick and easy to search for the newest and most popular games all the hopping wide-eyed teens are currently playing.

More subtle changes have also been added, like alterations in font style and size, rounder buttons and different keyboard options. A one-handed keyboard has been added for fast texters, both left and right handed, where the whole keyboard shifts to one side for an easier quick-typing experience.

A minor bug fix update, iOS 11.0.1, was released on Sept. 26.