Remember, newspaper classifieds, public calling booths, the landline, audio players and media storage, and dot matrix printers. They no longer exist. They have been replaced by their advanced or modern versions. Hence, change is inevitable, all you need to do is to adapt to it. The better you adapt to it, the better your prospects of survival and growth are. Since technology is indispensable to business operations today, it’s a must for entrepreneurs to maintain pace with the changes in the world of technology.
Though iOS 11 has yet to make a debut with WWDC 2017, being an informed entrepreneur, you must start your homework early in order to keep up with the dynamics of technology. Here is how to bolster your mobility solutions targeted at iOS platforms and avoid any potential setback.
#1. Move Your App from 32-bit to 64-bit
Based on the notifications that iOS 10.3 beta users (registered developers only) are getting, it’s clear that 32-bit apps are to go the dodo way. The intention to bring 64-bit apps is not something new. The foundation stone was laid in 2013 with the launch of iPhone 5s model equipped with an A7 64-bit processor. With a bid to help iOS developers build 64-bit apps, it also updated its IDE, i.e., integrated software development environment. However, the company didn’t enforce it strictly as 32-bit apps were not banned. With alternative available, and developers and businesses paid little attention towards offering 64-bit apps. But the warning on iOS 10.3 is a clear indication that the lacklustre attitude will work no more.
#2. Upgrade your Rating and Review Collection System
Apple, not just advocates for seamless and impeccable user experience but also makes subtle effort to make it happen. Perhaps, this is the sole purpose of introducing SKStoreReviewController API in the iOS 10.3 SDK. This API will push the submitted review to the App Store directly. Thus, you don’t need to redirect users to App Store to collect their views. Users can also opt out. Now, at any point of time in the app journey, they can be requested to rate or review the app. Initially, though, there is a bit hassle in terms of updating the app, in the long run, it will pay off as real-time feedback or views capture the real experience of the users.
#3. Implement Passcode or Touch ID Lock for App
If you haven’t been serious about implementing the password protection and Touch ID features, it’s time to change your mind. Make your apps Touch ID-friendly. Though Apple hasn’t issued any dictate in this regard, taking note of the user’s growing concern regarding privacy, you should do. This will instill a sense of trust in the users and keep them loyal to your business.
#4. Include Finger-detecting Dynamic Keyboard
Apple takes another step in customizing the keyboard on iOS devices. iOS 11 is likely to bring finger-detecting dynamic keyboard as it has got a patent in its favor. Reading the position of the user’s fingers, the keyboard will be shifting the key-rows accordingly on the screen. Thus, it will help users to engage easily with their apps without being focused on the screen. It will complement the hands-free culture. So next time, when you approach your iOS developer, do ask for it.
#5. Be Ready to Leverage Siri in UK Accents
Siri is undergoing a revamp to go in line with UK-English accents. This is a long-awaited action and will bury the allegations that Siri is pro-American. Apple’s Siri experts are working closely with linguists of the Cambridge University. With the launch of iOS 10, Siri was made to work with apps serving in categories as follows: Audio or video calling, messaging, sending or receiving payments, searching photos, booking a ride and managing workouts.
#6. Connect Your Ride and Hospitality Apps with Maps
Though the extension of Maps to third-party apps was announced last year with the release of iOS 10, it didn’t find many takers as businesses were apprehensive about its precision and information. With iOS 11, Apple is all set to put an end to all those concerns. Apple is leveraging cameras and drone technology to improve its Maps service. Hence, the time is ripe for connecting your ride, hospitality or customer service apps with Maps. This will make your physical location along with the offered products/services more accessible to customers.
#7. Make the Most of Theater Mode
This was slated to come with iOS 10.3, but there is no mention of it in the 2nd beta release. Apple might have reserved it for the next big iOS 11 release. It’s a low-backlit iOS mode that users can enjoy in areas like theater or similar where luminosity is considerably low. This will help users to use an app in a low light environment without causing any disturbance to those sitting next to them. UX designers and iOS developers need to work cohesively to make sure that the app has the right text texture.
#8. Wi-Fi Calling for Verizon Customers
The iOS 10.3 2nd beta release for developers (expected today) is to revamp the Wi-Fi calling feature available for Verizon customers. Now, they can use their iCloud-connected devices to make and receive calls bypassing the iPhone ecosystem. Consumers’ Benefits? Even if the device is on some other network or switched off, users can communicate over Wi-Fi. Business’s Benefits? Keeping their apps compliant with Siri, they can penetrate deeper into the Verizon consumer-base.
#9. Make Apple Pencil Work with Your Creative Apps
If you provide some photo or video editing apps or language learning apps for iPhone or iPad users, it’s the right time to boost their user experience by making it compatible with Apple Pencil. Emitting signals with a pace of 240 times per second, this is a very sensitive and powerful input device, however, its combination with yet-to-come iOS 11 and iPad Pro (expected to come around March or April) is expected to give its creativity and efficiency a new dimension.
#10. Abide by the App Store Review Guidelines
Last but not least, if you want all your above efforts to pay off, abide by the App Store App Review Guidelines documented under 5 key categories, viz., Safety, Performance, Business, Design, and Legal. This will help you to avoid App Store rejection and save time and money.
Note: The predictions and recommendations are based on the newly introduced features with the beta releases of iOS 10.3 (available to registered iOS developers), which are likely to continue in iOS 11 (albeit some modification can happen) and iOS 11 rumours made available by reliable technology firms like 9to5Mac, VentureBeat, Root Info Solutions, etc.
