Apple has just announced iOS 17 at WWDC 2023. The latest iPhone software upgrades the experience to communications apps like Phone, FaceTime, and Messages and introduces Journal and StandBy.
This comes alongside the latest software updates to iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. Additionally, Apple unveiled the M2 Ultra, M2-powered MacBook Air, Apple-silicon-powered Mac Studio and Mac Pro, and the all-new Apple Vision Pro spatial computer.
“With iOS 17, we’ve made iPhone more personal and intuitive by deeply considering the features we all rely on every day. Phone, FaceTime, and Messages are central to how we communicate, and this release is packed with updates we think our users are going to love. We’ve also reimagined AirDrop with new ways to share, autocorrect gets even better, and we’re introducing all-new experiences with Journal and StandBy, plus so much more. We can’t wait for everyone to try it.”
Craig Federighi, Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering
iOS 17
Major Updates to the Phone Experience
The Phone app receives a big update with personalized Contact Posters, providing a new way for you to express yourself. You can customize how you appear, bringing a completely new look to incoming calls. This includes choosing treatments for photos or Memoji as well as eye-catching typography and font colors. Contact Posters will also be available for third-party calling apps.
Additionally, through Live Voicemail, you’ll be able to see real-time transactions as someone leaves a voicemail. The company clarified that calls identified as spam won’t appear via Live Voicemail and will instead be instantly declined.
A Fresh Look and Big Updates to Messages
Messages also gets significant updates with iOS 17. This includes a new stickers experience with new emoji stickers and the ability to create Live Stickers by lifting subjects from photos. You can also add effects to Live Stickers to bring them to life.
Additionally, it introduces Check In, for when you want to notify a family member or friend that you have made it to your destination safely. After you initiate Check In, your family or friend will automatically be notified as soon as you’ve arrived. It will also inform them if you’ve been delayed or haven’t arrived yet. Any information shared via Check In is end-to-end encrypted.
StandBy Displays Information while Charging
The latest iOS version also brings StandBy, a full-screen experience with glanceable information designed to be viewed from a distance when your iPhone is charging.
It is perfect on a nightstand, kitchen counter, or desk, and can be personalized to display a range of clock styles, favorite photos, or widgets, including Smart Stacks. StandBy supports Live Activities, Siri, incoming calls, and larger notifications.
It also remembers your preferred view while charging via MagSafe.
A New Way to Appreciate Life’s Moments with Journal
Lastly, iOS 17 has a new app dubbed Journal that helps you reflect and practice gratitude through journaling. It uses on-device machine learning to offer personalized suggestions to help inspire your next journal entry.
Suggestions are intelligently curated from recent activity, including photos, people, places, workouts, and more, making it easy to start a journal entry. Meanwhile, scheduled notifications can help build your journaling habit.
With the ability to lock the app, the use of on-device processing, and end-to-end encryption, the new app is built to protect your privacy and ensure that no one can access your entries.
Other highlights of the latest iOS version include:
- Offline maps on Maps
- Collaborative Playlists and SharePlay in the car on Apple Music
- A grocery list on Reminders
- Activate Siri by simply saying “Siri”
For more information on the features of iOS 17, click here.
The developer beta of iOS 17 is available to Apple Developer Program members starting today, while the public beta will arrive next month.
Ram found his love and appreciation for writing in 2015 having started in the gaming and esports sphere for GG Network. He would then transition to focus more on the world of tech which has also began his journey into learning more about this world. That said though, he still has the mentality of "as long as it works" for his personal gadgets.
