UPDATE IOS 11 TO UPGRADE YOUR MOBILE SERVICE

“THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR IN IOS 11”

- a Wise Man

Have you updated your iOS yet? If not you’re probably living under the rock, which is not a bad thing by itself, but not if you’re an app owner because most likely your app users are already there and you have a ticking bomb on your hands

Media covered iOS 11 all over the internet, but there is still new info popping up every day ranging from users and developers’ feedback to the crazy(crossed) fresh ideas on how to use the new features. In this blog we wanted to focus on what the updating of the system means for the app owners, as we’ve been getting quite a few requests for optimizing app products from our clients since the iOS 11 launch.

Here’s our quick summary that will help you to turn challenges into opportunities.

1. In-App Purchase

Is the key feature for those whose business is in direct sync with their apps and the right use of it can lead to significant sales increase. The idea of downloading an app and subscribing for its service, just to view what products are available in it - may had turned your potential clients away in the past. With this feature they can preview a product and even begin the purchase they need directly in the App Store without having to download the app itself. In-app purchases now appear on a product page and can be displayed in search results or featured on the Today, Games, and Apps tabs.

What to keep in mind if you’re an app owner:

• You can choose to promote up to 20 in-app purchases at a time on your product page.
• You can change the in-app purchases that appear on your product page at any time based on your business needs for example to feature products of a Limited Time offer.
• Promoting in-app purchases is not gonna prevent people from downloading your apps, but can actually encourage it. When a user doesn’t have your app installed but wants to buy a promoted in-app purchase, they'll receive a prompt to download the app first. Started directly in the App Store the transaction then will continue in the app.
• Once your user is transferred to the app, it is best to present the payment sheet right away to make the process of completing the purchase straightforward and convenient. Any messaging, or extra steps can turn away your potential users from completing their purchase.
• You can choose which promoted in-app purchases a user sees on a specific device using the SKProductStorePromotionController API. The new settings allow you to hide an item that a user already has on that device, or show the most relevant versions of a product to the user based on their previous experience. Check out What's New in StoreKit to see how it works.
• Lastly, optimize the way your in-app purchases appear in the store: make sure your promotional image of your app is in the right sizes, a display name is easily understood by your users and is not too generic and the descriptions make it easy for users to distinguish the benefits of each in-app purchase.

2. General User Experience.

There are four significant technical changes that can improve the User Experience for your customers.

• The first, and the most discussed one is that Apple has enabled Siri to be used in third party apps in iOS 11. That means, your users will be able to create or update a variety of services in your app using voice recognition technology. Besides that, Siri of this version is more natural in language processing, which will help you to improve your mobile service's customer experience.
• Second, Apple has made it possible for Users to disable notifications for Rating & Reviews while they are using an App. It can look as a downside at first as you would need to find new ways of getting feedback, but think of the fact that it would actually help to have your users be more immersed into your content and make their experience with an app uninterrupted and therefore more pleasant.
• The third one is a functional change in Camera apps and storage formats. Apple has enhanced the compression format of media files since the last version, which allows users to store twice as many photos and videos on their iPhones. In addition, Apple included QR code reader and a document scanning function to the new camera. In the past users favored immersive content, creating the demand for high-quality images, GIFs, and VR content. The new storage formats will accelerate this trend. In other words, users will be able to create more interactive content in your service with iOS 11.
• Fourth change, and the most fun one, is the new feature VR Flyover, that has been added to the Apple Maps App, with the help of ARkit. It's functionality is still limited, but you’re already able to experience some of the city's virtual flights tours. If you use an ARkit and are keen on augmented reality technology, you can develop an app like Pokemon Go! As ARkit provides spatial awareness, and gives a platform to your AR content which it became easier to enhance the reality with your iPhone. Although, as we mentioned, there are still limitations, It is already possible to utilize this feature to make experiences in the construction, health and other industries as well as Game sector.

3. App Services Promotion

One of the most noticeable changes in the iOS 11 update is the change in the App store design that is set to attract more app users.

• The “Today” tab is new. You can now promote your apps there in such categories as "App of the day" and "Game of the day".
• Apple allows to use various regulations for images and video content as well as text, which encourages you to promote your app in a blog-like way using modern more engaging types of storytelling.
• You can also enhance your customer engagement using videos in apps descriptions.

How do you feel after watching this video? Would you download this game? Well, there are at least more chances of it happening now we believe.

To summarize our opinion on the iOS 11 it might not be a love from the first sight for all of the users but is something that definitely has advantages for app entrepreneurs. Here are some figures from our QA department provided after they gave a QA round on iOS 11 compatibility:

In 65% of the apps no critical or major issues have been encountered. 25% have minor issues and 15% have major or critical issues (unable to make an in-app purchases, unable to login via social networks, unable to share via social networks, crashes and freezes).

As an old Russian proverb “If Apple gives you lemons be ready to make some lemonade!” So we are ready to assist you if you're looking some guidance. If you haven't optimized your app to iOS 11 take your device in your hands and do it or type 646-844-3118 and call us to get a consultation.