Apple iPhone and iPad owners are set for some new features this spring with the launch of iOS 11.3.
This major software update has just been previewed by the US technology firm with it including a range of upgrades and new features.
Perhaps one of the biggest changes will be the ability for users to keep a check on the health of their phones.
iOS 11.3 adds the ability to show how healthy the battery that’s hidden inside the device is and recommend if it needs to be serviced.
This will be found in Settings > Battery and will be available for iPhone 6 and later.
Additionally, users will be able to see if the power management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns, first introduced in iOS 10.2.1, is on and can choose to turn it off.
This feature will be available for iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Along with these speed and battery features, iOS 11 adds more Animojis for users of the iPhone X.
These animated characters were introduced late last year and Apple is now bringing more of these animated emojis to life including a dragon, bear, skull and lion.
Working with the TrueDepth camera in iPhone X, over 50 different facial muscle movements are captured, analysed and then animated, allowing users to send Animoji messages as one of 16 different characters.
There’s also more fun features coming to all iPhones and iPads via augmented reality.
Using advanced computer vision techniques to find and recognise the position of 2D images such as signs, posters, and artwork, ARKit can integrate these real world images into AR experiences such as filling a museum with interactive exhibits or bringing a movie poster to life.
The view of the real world through the camera now has 50 percent greater resolution and supports auto-focus for an even sharper perspective.
Other extra features coming in the spring include the new Health Records feature which brings together hospitals, clinics and the existing Health app to make it easy for consumers to see their available medical data from multiple providers,.
Plus there’s an update to Apple Music which the firm says will soon make it the home for music videos.
Users will be able to stream all the music videos they want without being interrupted by ads.
They can also watch the hottest new videos, the classics or ones from their favourite artists back-to-back in new music video playlists.
Finally, Apple News will be improved to make it easier to stay up-to-date on the most important videos of the day with a new Video group in For You, and is also adding a Business Chat option within its Messages app which lets users communicate directly with businesses like Hilton.
Apple hasn’t confirmed a launch date for iOS 11.3 but it has said the developer preview of iOS 11.3 is available to iOS Developer Program members starting today, followed by a public beta preview available at beta.apple.com.
iOS 11.3 will be available this spring as a free software update for iPhone 5s and later, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad mini 2 and later and iPod touch 6th generation.