Apple Reveals Messages in iOS 11.3 Will Get Four New Animoji and Customer Support 'Business Chat'

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.

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.

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.