Apple releases first iOS 11 beta to everyone

If you have been eagerly awaiting iOS 11, well, then here's your chance to try out the new features of the upcoming OS as Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 11, available to download for everyone.

From a revamped Siri to Apple Pay and augmented reality capabilities, Apple’s iOS 11 is packed with exciting new and cutting-edge features that many Apple enthusiasts have been dying to see. Importantly, the Cupertino giant is warning you in advance to backup your devices prior to installing the system - and says it is still a work in progress.

Make sure your iCloud backup is up to date by going to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Even more important, plug your iOS device to your computer to do a manual encrypted backup in iTunes. That’s the only way you can restore your iPhone or iPad to iOS 10 if things go wrong.

Now, let's head to the updates that lie in store for all of us. Starting with iPad that gets some real multitasking capabilities and a much-improved user experience. You can now drag and drop files and app icons to open new apps, work with multiple apps at once and more. It updates almost all of Apple’s apps, bringing social features to Apple Music and document scanning to Notes, for instance.

And it changes the way the camera works in a major way, adding new ways of taking and editing photos. That comes alongside support for ARKit – Apple’s new technology built to make it easier for people to create apps that use augmented reality.

The iPhone is also getting many small and big improvements. The Photos app gets new tricks, you can now send money in Messages using Apple Pay, and Control Center and lock screen are getting some much-needed refinements too.

Maps now has an interesting indoor navigation feature that will allow you to deploy it while moving inside malls and airports. Also, iOS 11 will have an automatic Do Not Disturb while Driving mode that will be able to detect when you are driving and ensure that you are not distracted by messages or calls while driving.