Generally, with each iteration, iOS brings enhancements and new innovations to its loyal user base. iOS 17, the latest installment in the iOS operating system, builds upon its predecessors and introduces new features that aim to elevate user experience. This article will delve into the features of iOS 17, highlighting the advancements that Apple enthusiasts can look forward to.
Redesigned Home Screen & App Library.
iOS 17 introduces a redesigned Home Screen that offers improved customization options and a refreshed interface. Users can now personalize their Home Screen with Interactive Widgets, and dynamic wallpapers, allowing for a more personalized and engaging user experience. This means users no longer need to open an app such as Reminders, to check off a reminder, or adjust lights in the Home app. You can simply use an Interactive Widget to perform these tasks.
Primarily introduced in iOS 14, the App Library is a single screen that contains all of your apps, organized by category for ease of discovery. Apple recognized that it needed to offer a streamlined way to navigate iOS as users installed more and more apps on more and more screens, and demanded the ability to hide apps from the traditional Home Screen view. While many people find the App Library useless, that will soon change. iOS 17 will allow users to customize their App Library. Details however aren’t certain as to how users can customize their App Library.
Enhanced Privacy & Security.
Recognizing the importance of privacy, iOS 17 brings robust security features to protect users and their data. These features include enhanced app permissions, expanded privacy labels in the App Store, Communication Safety and Sensitive Content Warnings on Messages and AirDrop, “Check In” for those to see whether someone has reached their intended location, expanded Lockdown Mode, and improved protection against data tracking. Users can have greater control over their data and enjoy peace of mind while using iOS.
Check In helps users inform their loved ones when they reach their intended destination. An example of this is if your child is out, Check In can be set up to notify you when they have arrived. More importantly, Check In can share some essential information about the user in case of an emergency.
Communication Safety is a new feature that is designed to automatically block incoming messages and files that may contain sensitive content such as photos and videos. Opt-in blurring can be applied to sensitive images sent in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters for the Phone app, FaceTime messages, and third-party apps.
Siri Improvements.
After installing iOS 17, users will no longer need to say “Hey Siri” in order to activate Apple’s virtual assistant. Instead, you simply say “Siri…” and the assistant will start listening. This will bring Siri in line with rival voice-activated assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, which is currently known to be activated just by saying its name without the need for a greeting first. In addition, Apple is working on Siri improvements to compete with artificial intelligence technology such as ChatGPT. But that is to come possibly later.
Enhanced Keyboard & Autocorrect.
After 17 years, Apple is fixing autocorrect. iOS 17 includes a state-of-the-art language model for word prediction that will greatly improve autocorrection. Any time you type, on-device machine learning will intelligently correct mistakes with greater accuracy than ever before. In addition, you will now receive predictive text recommendations inline as you type, allowing for words or complete sentences to be added by tapping the space bar. Autocorrection has an updated design on iOS 17 that briefly underlines an autocorrected word. Tapping on an underlined word reveals the original word that you typed, making it easy to quickly revert the change. Over time, your typing habits will be personalized which will notably avoid some corrections. This means that you’ll likely see “ducking” quite less when typing.
Safari Improvements.
iOS 17 will now allow you to separate your personal and work/school activity with Profiles. This will allow users to separate their history, extensions, Tab Groups, cookies, and favorites. Users can quickly switch between profiles as they browse. iOS 17 will also fill in one-time verification codes you receive in Mail automatically. In addition, users can also share passwords and Passkeys with trusted contacts.
Music Improvements.
Generally speaking, you will hear the argument “The driver is in charge of the radio.” when on the road. iOS 17 changes this by allowing others in the car to play what they like with SharePlay. Additionally, iOS 17 will allow you to invite friends to view your playlist and add, reorder, and remove songs. Users can also use emojis to react to the song choices.
Phone & FaceTime Upgrades.
iOS 17 allows users in the Phone app to set a Contact Poster that will appear when they make an outgoing call. Users can use a photo or a Memoji, select a font, a font color, and more. Contact Posters are available for the Phone app and also for third-party apps. Another new feature for the Phone app is Live Voicemails. The Live Voicemail feature provides a real-time transcription of the message on the Lock Screen as the person is speaking. Based on what’s being said, users can choose whether or not to answer. Calls marked as spam by carriers will instantly be declined and won’t appear as Live Voicemail.
FaceTime now supports both audio and video messages, so if someone doesn’t pick up a call, users on the other end can leave a video recording or audio message. FaceTime also supports a range of Reactions like hearts, balloons, fireworks, laser beams, and rain. Effects are activated through gestures, and will also work in third-party apps.
AirDrop Enhancements. – NameDrop.
NameDrop allows users to bring their iPhones near another iPhone to exchange contact information. Bringing two iPhones together can initiate “SharePlay.” Users can listen to music, watch a movie, or play a game with another person who has an iPhone. This also allows users to transfer content. Later this year, AirDrop will allow large file transfers to be initiated by two phones in close proximity, with the transfer finishing over iCloud.
Enhanced Search & Messages.
Searching in Messages now supports search filters for finding exactly what users are looking for. Users can start with a broad search and narrow down the results by entering additional search terms. If users are having trouble keeping up in group chats or with someone who sends a lot of messages, the catch-up arrow lets you know exactly where you left off so users can see what’s unread. Users can now reply by swiping on a text bubble. If users send an audio message, it is now transcribed automatically to be read. Additionally, one-time verification codes delivered by the Messages app can be deleted automatically.
Improved Health & Mood Tracking.
In iOS 17, the Health app has a Mood Tracking feature that allows users to log their daily emotions to track their state of mind over time. It will offer options for recording your mood along with what’s causing that mood, so users can make useful connections. Apple is also offering depression and anxiety assessments used in clinics to help users determine if they might be at risk.
Using the TrueDepth camera, the Health app can help users determine whether they’re too close to their screen through the Screen Distance measuring tool in Screen Time. While this is generally developed for kids, adults can use it too, with the feature letting users know if they’re holding their device closer than 12 inches to their face. Which I often do.
iOS 17 will bring a Journal app that’s designed to let users record their thoughts and activities on a daily basis. The iPhone will use on-device machine learning to suggest topics for users to write about based on what they’ve done during the day, such as traveling, completing a workout, visiting people, taking photos, and more. Third-party apps can offer journaling suggestions, but all content is protected and passcode locked.
StandBy.
In iOS 17 when users are not using their iPhone, they can place it horizontally on a charger to activate StandBy mode, a full-screen display with information they can see at a glance. StandBy mode works best with an always-on display, but users can see it with a tap. It is similar to the Nightstand mode on Apple Watch, offering different clock styles, photos, calendars, weather, a view of Live Activities, or customizable Widgets through Smart Stack.
What Devices Will iOS 17 Be Compatible On?
iOS 17 is compatible with the following devices:
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone Xr
- iPhone SE (2nd. Gen)
