Apple releases test version of iOS 10.1 with blur effect in iPhone 7 Plus

Apple has released the first test version of iOS 10.1 for developers. The most notable change is that Apple has enabled Portrait mode for a blur effect on the iPhone 7 Plus in the update.

The iOS 10.1 update is only available to developers and has not yet been released as a test version for the general public. According to 9to5 Mac, the camera software states that it is not yet a final version of the background blur function. The function is listed as Portrait between Photo and Square in the camera interface.

The camera software gives instructions to create the effect. The iPhone must be within 2.5 meters of the object to create a depth-of-field effect, the software says. The effect works with the second camera on the iPhone 7 Plus. By combining information from both images, the software can estimate the distance to various objects in the image and thus blur the background. HTC was the first to do this on a smartphone in 2014 with its One M8.

It is unknown when iOS 10.1 will be released as an update to the general public. Apple said the Portrait feature will be available on the iPhone 7 Plus later this year.

Screenshots: 9to5 Mac