In recent times, Apple has struggled to retain its reputation as a leading innovator in the smartphone market. This applies to both its handsets and the underlying iOS software, with recent iterations having been outperformed by Android mobiles such as Samsung and HTC.

Whisper it quietly, but this may be about to change. After all, the iPhone X is threatening to revolutionise smartphone design on a global scale, while the iOS 11 has also integrated some new features that should offer huge value to users.

In this post, we’ll look at these features in closer detail, and ask whether or not you should upgrade this time around?

iOS 11 at a glance

In terms of the tablet version of iOS, the 11^th iteration will continue to add desktop functionality to users, while keeping it entirely separate from the existing Mac operating system. The main focus of this is productivity, as tablet users are being empowered with new, innovative, and convenient ways of working.

Now, while the smartphone iteration of iOS 11 does not receive as many new features in comparison, it does provide some targeted upgrades that add considerable value to the user experience. These include the integration of Apple Pay with Messenger, an enhanced Siri feature, and brand new camera capabilities, with each of these targeting increasingly pivotal elements of smartphone functionality.

There’s even a revamped App Store, with the new layout and visuals perfectly complimenting the sharper edge of iOS 11.

Introducing Augmented Reality: What about ARKit?

Apple has also finally delivered on its promise to integrate augmented reality technology with its latest operating system, having launched the exciting ARKit as part of the iOS 11 upgrade. This joyous feature works in conjunction with iOS and the Unity 3D AR/VR platform, and enables users to create their own AR applications for their iPhone or iPad devices.

Once iOS 11 has been installed and a few upgrades have been made to your device, you can begin to create anything from simplistic applications to more complex and innovative AR features.

The integration of AR with iOS 11 has potentially huge connotations for Apple, aside from offering aspiring developers an opportunity to experiment with augmented reality. This ground-breaking feature could also add an entirely new dimension to the overall user experience, particularly those who like to utilise their mobile device to stream movies or play a multitude of interactive games online.

This development may be particularly beneficial for online gambling operators and players, as games such as poker may be reinvented through advanced AR technology. Of course, this continues a prominent trend in the world of casino gaming, as technological advancement has helped virtual establishments to flourish and grow at an exponential rate over the last 10 years.

From the perspective of fans who like to play poker and similar games through GamblingKingz, AR technology would help to create an immersive and three-dimensional setting that replicates a corporeal casino. As a result, they’d be able to enjoy an authentic, real world gambling experience online, enabling operators to reach a larger market and target brand new demographics.

For now, we’ll have to see how well iOS and the innovative ARKit fare in the eyes of customers. There’s no doubt that they have the potential to reassert Apple’s reputation as a leading innovator in the mobile market, however, while also helping the brand to steal a march on its thriving Android rivals.