Within its larger unveiling of iOS 11.3, Apple today announced two new updates coming to Messages when the operating system update debuts this spring. First, there are four new Animoji characters that will allow iPhone X owners to become a dragon, bear, skull, or lion.

new animoji 11
This brings the total amount of Animoji available on iPhone X to 16. Just like the original characters, you can use the new Animoji to copy the movement of parts of your face with the iPhone X's TrueDepth camera, record a 10-second video clip, and send it to someone through Messages.

Second, Apple revealed a new customer support feature coming to Messages called "Business Chat." Apple said that this will be a way for you to text directly with a business within its messaging app, and will be supported by Lowe's, Discover, Hilton, and Wells Fargo, and select other companies at launch in the spring.

business chat
Besides support chat, you'll be able to schedule appointments and even make purchases using Apple Pay. Beta users will gain access to Business Chat ahead of the public launch of iOS 11.3.

With Business Chat, it's easy to have a conversation with a service representative, schedule an appointment or make purchases using Apple Pay in the Messages app. Business Chat doesn’t share the user’s contact information with businesses and gives users the ability to stop chatting at any time.

There are plenty of other details about iOS 11.3 to discover today, so be sure to check out our full post on the upcoming iPhone update, as well as Apple's announcement that iOS 11.3 users will be able to view their device's battery health and disable power management features. The company also shared information on a new "Health Records" section coming to the iOS Health app.

Related Forum: iOS 11

Top Rated Comments

Mike MA Avatar
70 months ago
Good to see Apple is continuing to put focus on the current pain point of iOS - the lack of emojis.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
newyorksole Avatar
70 months ago
Can you ask them about Messages in the Cloud?

Not sure why that is taking so long...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
70 months ago
iMessage is turning into an iTunes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Oblivious.Robot Avatar
70 months ago
1) House Targaryen
2) House Mormont of Bear Island
3) White Walkers undead army
4) House Lannister of Casterly Rock

I love this! :p

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EdT Avatar
70 months ago
I realize I’m not the market for Animoji’s but considering everything Apple has to fix or even get to market this shouldn’t be as high on their priority list as it seems to be.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Porco Avatar
70 months ago
They will have lions. They will have bears.

So what are clearly missing? Tigers. Oh my!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)