Article Index (9)
O iOS 17 It was officially launched. First unveiled during the WWDC23, this update brings some significant improvements to the iPhone.
Read Also
While it isn't the most feature-packed update for the company's smartphone, it certainly offers some interesting new features. These include updates to the Phone and Messages apps, a new Journal app, a convenient standby mode, and much more!
When will iOS 17 be released?
The iOS 17 beta is now available to registered developers. Those who prefer not to join the Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 per year, will be able to access the beta for free in July. If you’re not interested in running the beta software, you’ll be able to get the stable version sometime in the coming months. iOS 17 is likely to be released to the public in September 2023.
All the new features in iOS 17:
Updates to Phone and FaceTime
One of the notable additions in iOS 17 is the redesign of the iPhone’s call screen, which now lets you customize the photo and font. This makes phone calls even more personal, allowing each contact to express themselves according to their preferences.
Another new feature in iOS 17 is the ability to read transcripts of incoming voice messages in real time, allowing you to decide whether you want to answer the call. In addition, you can now leave a video message if someone misses your FaceTime video call. During a FaceTime call, you can also react with different emojis, such as hearts and speech bubbles.
Improvements to the Messages app
In the Messages app, iOS 17 users can create Live Stickers, which can be accessed in various parts of the system, particularly where tagging is available. Additionally, you can now swipe quickly on a message to reply to it and view live locations shared by others directly within the app. The iMessage app sheet has been redesigned, and users can search for content using more refined filters. Additionally, a message transcript is included for those who cannot listen to a voice recording.
Simplified Sharing
To call and send messages to other people, you usually need a phone number. With iOS 17, you can now quickly share your contact card with another iPhone user using NameDrop. This feature is similar to AirDrop and doesn’t require an internet connection to work. In addition, you can now walk away while an AirDrop transfer is in progress, and iOS will use the internet to complete the process and download the file to the recipient’s device.
New Diary App
iOS 17 introduces a brand-new app called Journal, which focuses on your memories and experiences. The app uses on-device intelligence to compile different types of data and create a report. This includes photos taken on a given day, as well as any text you’ve typed. Those interested in the Journal app will have to wait for a future iOS 17.x update.
Standby mode
Sleep mode is another welcome addition in iOS 17. When you place your iPhone in landscape orientation while it’s charging, the device displays relevant information and widgets, such as the time, photos, weather, calendar, and more. At night, Standby Mode switches to a darker red interface, which is easier on the eyes.
Other improvements and features:
- Autocorrect in iOS 17 can predict the rest of a sentence and should learn to adapt better to your typing style. In addition, Dictation should now recognize your speech more accurately.
- When using Private Browsing in Safari, you can now lock tabs to keep prying eyes away. In addition, you can separate personal and work tabs and use different sets of cached data and cookies for each.
- Interactive widgets let you perform a specific action or task by tapping the widget, without having to open the dedicated app.
- Apple Keychain gains sharing support in iOS 17, allowing you to share your passwords with people you trust. This feature is already available in some password managers, making Apple's solution a more viable option for storing passwords.
- The Health app in iOS 17 now supports several new types of data, including mood and vision. You can also use the TrueDepth camera to receive an alert when you're too close to the screen.
- iOS 17 finally introduces offline support for Apple Maps, allowing users to download maps of specific areas and navigate them without an internet connection.
- AirTags and other Find My-enabled accessories can now be shared with others, allowing you to track items with other people at the same time.
- Apple Music on iOS 17 finally supports collaborative playlists, allowing multiple subscribers to create a playlist together. In addition, non-subscribers can now control music playback on a subscriber’s device using SharePlay on CarPlay.
- AirPlay now uses the device's intelligence to learn your habits and works more seamlessly in participating hotels.
- AirPods are getting some major updates with iOS 17, such as a conversation detection feature, adaptive audio, and improved automatic switching between devices.
- Just like in the Messages app, Mail can now automatically fill in one-time login codes, so you don't have to leave Safari or open the Mail app to authenticate.
- Apple Home in iOS 17 adds a 30-day activity history for door locks, garage door openers, and more.
- The Reminders app in iOS 17 gets a shopping list feature to make it easier to organize similar items.
Other notable improvements include:
- Now you can activate Siri just by saying “Siri,” instead of “Hey, Siri.” Plus, you can give consecutive commands without having to activate Siri repeatedly.
- The Photos app can now detect pets' faces, in addition to human faces. It can also identify unique subjects in still frames from videos.
- The Visual Lookup feature can now suggest relevant recipes after you scan a photo of a particular dish.
- Apple's communication security feature goes beyond the Messages app and protects children from certain content shared via AirDrop and other communication channels.
- Now you can have iOS 17 blur sensitive photos received in apps like Messages and other services, such as AirDrop.
- iOS 17 also includes a number of accessibility features, such as Personal Voice, which replicates your voice after a 15-minute training session.
- Users of Memoji stickers will have access to three new stickers in iOS 17.
- The Fitness app in iOS 17 took center stage, featuring a redesigned Share tab and new personalized workout plans for Plus subscribers.
- Apple News+ subscribers on iOS 17 can now also enjoy daily crossword puzzles, in addition to the ability to listen to News+ Audio in the Podcasts app.
Although iOS 17 is considered a relatively minor update, it brings several improvements and interesting features for iPhone users. Apple has focused its efforts on Vision Pro and watchOS 10, which are significantly larger and more exciting updates for its devices. We may have to wait until next year for a more substantial update to the iPhone’s operating system.