10 Awesome Hidden iOS 11 Features

Hidden power tools in iOS 11

With iOS 11 in widespread use, either downloadable for your current phone or preloaded on new models like the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, it's time to familiarize yourself with all the important features we've heard since last summer , Spend time on iOS 11 and you'll find that the update includes more than what Apple introduced at its developer conference.

iOS 11 is full of hidden surprises, including some very useful tools like the one-hand keyboard mode, a new way of interacting with Siri, and even new AirPod controls. These are the best new iOS stuff you can spot on iOS 11.

Get titles from Siri

The latest of the many new features that Siri has gathered in iOS 11 lets you hear the latest tracks using Apple's Digital Assistant. If it's been upgraded to iOS 11.2.2, just say "Hey Siri, give me the news" or "Hey Siri, what are the titles," and Siri will release an audio report from NPR. However, this is simply the default news source: You can ask Siri to revise Fox News, CNN or The Washington Post if you prefer a different audio report. The report was released in the iOS 11 podcast app and was probably added before the next release of the Apple HomePod speaker.

QR Code Scanner

IOS users must download third-party apps that are often ineligible for reading QR codes, such as those used in membership programs at food places. Apple's own camera app will now have its own QR code scanner.

Colored Wi-Fi networks are no longer automatically attached
If you live in a densely populated area, you'll probably be tired of your iPhone's attempts to join Wi-Fi networks as soon as you feel the slightest trace of connectivity. A new automatic Union setting that prevents your phone from automatically jumping to lower signal quality networks should stop it.

Easier access to Wi-Fi

Speaking of Wi-Fi, iOS 11: It's easier to give your iOS user friends network access without having to search for passwords. If someone tries to connect to your network using iOS 11 phones or tablets, they will receive a notification on their device asking them if they want to leave them on the Wi-Fi network. The encrypted network pass will automatically open your friend's phone, so you can easily download it to your Wi-Fi network.

Turn off the phone without the lock button

Apple iOS 11 users have a new way to shut down their device. If the Lock / Enable button on your iPhone is not working properly, you can open Settings, touch General, press Stop, and move the slider to turn off the top of the screen. If this does not work and the lock button does not activate the phone, plug your iPhone into a power source and it will start.

Take a live photo on FaceTime

If there's a moment in one of your FaceTime conversations that you want to capture forever, just press the shutter button in the lower-left corner of the video message. You can take a live photo from the person's Mac or iPhone camera at the other end of the line stored in your photo library. (Are you worried that someone will take a picture without your knowledge? Everyone in the FaceTime call will be notified that the photo was taken).

One-handed keyboard

As an iPhone Plus size owner, I usually write with both my thumbs, which is not practical. The new one-handed input keyboard in iOS 11 can be found by holding down the emoji key and selecting it from the menu.

Handwritten emails

The iOS 10 Update 2016 has added the ability to send your own text message (or at least what you can scribble on a screen the size of an iPhone). In iOS 11, Mail adds this feature. Just hold down the screen to bring up the Copy / Paste pop-up. Scroll through all options until you reach Insert Drawing. When you touch this option, you access a blank page where you can write a message with a pen, pen, or virtual tag. When you're done, you can paste it directly into the text of an email.