Apple Woos Retailers With New Features

Apple outlined a variety of new features coming to iOS mobile devices this spring as part of the company’s long-awaited iOS 11.3 software update, including the latest version of the ARkit augmented reality platform and Apple Business Chat, for which the company has already lined up Lowe’s as a retail partner. Along with Lowe’s, beta partners supporting use of Apple Business Chat include Discover, Hilton and Wells Fargo. The Business Chat feature allows users to communicate directly with businesses via the Messages app to interact with customer service representatives, schedule appointments and even make purchases using Apple Pay. New ARkit features allow iOS devices with the AR capability to recognize and place virtual objects on vertical surfaces like walls and doors. ARkit-enabled AR apps also will be able to more accurately map irregularly shaped surfaces like circular tables. Read more at Retail Dive.