UPDATE: On September 18, 2023, Apple released iOS 17, a major software update for iPhone users. This update focuses on enhancing communication apps, improving the charging experience with StandBy, simplifying sharing with AirDrop, and enhancing typing accuracy. iOS 17 is available as a free update.
Incoming Calls Get a Major Upgrade:
The Phone app has received a significant update in iOS 17, making important calls more prominent. Users can now personalize their contact posters to customize how they appear when calling known contacts, including in third-party calling apps. Contact posters can be personalized with photos, Memoji, and eye-catching typography and font colors. Live Voicemail provides real-time transcriptions of voicemails, allowing users to pick up calls while the caller is leaving a message. Live Voicemail transcription utilizes on-device processing with the Neural Engine to maintain privacy. With the Silence Unknown Callers feature enabled, unknown numbers are sent directly to voicemail, and spam calls identified by carriers are automatically declined.
New Ways to Enjoy FaceTime:
FaceTime now allows users to leave video or audio messages when their intended recipient is unavailable. Reactions, such as hearts, balloons, fireworks, and laser beams, can be added to FaceTime calls with simple gestures. These reactions are also available in supported third-party video conferencing apps. Users can now start a FaceTime call on their iPhone and hand it off to their Apple TV using Continuity Camera, or initiate the call directly from Apple TV. Center Stage ensures users stay perfectly framed even when they move around the room.
More Ways to Stay Connected with Messages:
Messages in iOS 17 introduces new features to enhance user communication. Search functionality is more powerful and precise with search filters, and audio messages are automatically transcribed for easy reading. Replying to messages is simplified with inline swipe gestures. The new expandable menu provides quick access to all iMessage apps, giving Messages a sleeker look. Users can now create Live Stickers by lifting subjects from photos, adding fun effects to stickers. Check In is a new feature that allows users to notify someone when they have safely arrived at their destination. Useful information such as location and device status can be shared securely and privately.
StandBy Makes iPhone Even More Useful While Charging:
StandBy is a new full-screen experience designed to be viewed from a distance while the iPhone is charging on its side. Users can personalize StandBy with different clock styles, favorite photos, widgets, and Smart Stacks. It also displays Live Activities, Siri results, incoming calls, and larger notifications. StandBy remains on with the Always-On display and adapts to low light with Night Mode. When using a MagSafe charger, StandBy remembers the user’s preferred view for that specific dock.
Easier Sharing with AirDrop and NameDrop:
AirDrop now enables easier sharing with the addition of NameDrop, which allows users to exchange contact information, including Contact Posters, by bringing their iPhone devices together. Content sharing and starting SharePlay for music, movies, or games is also possible with the same gesture. Later this year, AirDrop will support transfers over the internet when the user is out of AirDrop range.
Comprehensive Updates to Autocorrect and Dictation:
Autocorrect in iOS 17 receives a comprehensive update with a new transformer language model, providing improved accuracy and word prediction. Sentence-level autocorrections can fix more types of grammatical mistakes, and the design now underlines corrected words temporarily, allowing users to revert back easily. Inline predictive text helps users finish sentences quickly, and Dictation benefits from an improved speech recognition model.
Reflecting on Life’s Moments with Journal:
Journal is a new app that allows users to reflect on everyday moments and special events. Personalized suggestions for journal entries are intelligently curated from recent activity, such as photos, people, places, and workouts. Scheduled notifications can help users establish a journaling habit. Journal ensures privacy with on-device processing, end-to-end encryption, and the ability to lock the app. Developers will have access to the Journaling Suggestions API to add journaling suggestions to their apps in a future update.
Additional Features in iOS 17:
Safari introduces Profiles, which keep browsing data separate for different topics like work and personal. Private Browsing now locks when not in use for added protection against trackers and unauthorized device access. Password and passkey sharing become easier and more secure by sharing through iCloud Keychain with trusted contacts. The Health app includes new mental health features, allowing users to log moods and emotions, access depression and anxiety assessments, and find local resources. Screen Distance in Screen Time encourages users to maintain proper screen distance to reduce eye strain and myopia risk. Apple Music gains SharePlay support in the car, and users will soon be able to collaborate on playlists. AirPlay learns user preferences and will support televisions in hotels. AirPods receive Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness features. The Home app improves activity history viewing, adds features to Matter-compatible locks, and includes Grid Forecast to plan device charging based on cleaner energy sources. Maps also introduces new features, but further details are not available in the provided information.
