Apple’s highly anticipated iOS 17 is set to make its public debut later this year, but WWDC has already provided a sneak peek into the upcoming OS upgrade. Additionally, Apple has shared information on how enthusiasts can sign up for the iOS 17 public beta, granting early access to the new features and improvements.
While initial rumors suggested that iOS 17 might not be as feature-packed as its predecessor, iOS 16, there are still numerous upgrades to look forward to. Notable enhancements include video voicemail for FaceTime and the introduction of Standby mode. These changes promise to bring exciting new capabilities to Apple devices when iOS 17 finally arrives.
In summary, iOS 17 is on the horizon, with WWDC offering a glimpse into its offerings. The public release is scheduled for later this year, but eager users can participate in the iOS 17 public beta to explore the anticipated improvements ahead of time.
Here’s everything we know about iOS 17 so far.
What are Top New Features and Upgrades in iOS 17 ?
iOS 17 brings several exciting updates and features to FaceTime. Users can now utilize video voicemail, allowing them to leave a video message when someone is unable to answer their call. Additionally, live voicemail transcribes messages in real-time, providing a convenient way to see who’s calling without answering the call.
A new feature called Check-in ensures the safety of users by automatically notifying family and friends when they arrive home safely. It can also alert contacts if any hurdles are encountered, providing information such as battery level and the route taken.
AirDrop receives an upgrade called NameDrop, enabling users to share information, files, and initiate SharePlay experiences by simply bumping two iPhones together.
The arrival of the Journal app on iPhone is another highlight of iOS 17. This app offers personalized suggestions and writing prompts, making it easier to document activities and locations.
Standby mode is a notable addition, turning the iPhone into a smart display. It provides concise information and voice controls on easily digestible pages, allowing users to access relevant data at a glance.
The wake word for Siri is streamlined in iOS 17, as the command “Hey Siri” is simplified to just “Siri”. Furthermore, Siri now supports back-to-back commands without the need to repeat the wake word multiple times.
Lastly, Apple Maps introduces offline downloads, allowing users to navigate even without an active internet connection, ensuring a seamless navigation experience.
In summary, iOS 17 brings enhancements to FaceTime, introduces Check-in for safety, upgrades AirDrop with NameDrop, offers the Journal app for documenting experiences, provides Standby mode for convenient information access, simplifies Siri commands, and enables offline downloads in Apple Maps.
iOS 17: Beta access and possible release date
Based on historical patterns, it is reasonable to expect that iOS 17 will be released in mid-September 2023, closely aligned with the launch of the new iPhone 15 lineup. Apple typically releases the new OS a few days before the latest iPhones become available for purchase.
Before the public release, Apple usually conducts a series of developer and public betas, allowing users to test the software and provide feedback. The first developer beta was released at WWDC 2023, and the first public beta is scheduled for the summer.
If Apple continues its recent iOS update schedule, the iOS 17 public beta may be available in the next few weeks. However, as exact dates for beta releases can vary, it is important to stay tuned to official announcements from Apple for the most accurate information regarding the iOS 17 public beta release date.
iOS 17: Supported devices
According to reports and rumors, the first iOS 17 beta has been released, revealing the list of devices that will support the new software. As expected, older devices will not receive the update. After the iPhone 7 lost support with the release of iOS 16, the next device to be dropped from compatibility is the iPhone 8, which is now five years old. Similarly, the iPhone X, also over five years old, will be limited to iOS 16 for its remaining lifespan.
Here is the list of devices that are expected to support iOS 17:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 11
- iPhone Xs
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone SE (2022)
Please note that this information is based on rumors and should be treated as unofficial until Apple officially announces the compatibility list for iOS 17. To obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to refer to Apple’s official announcements or reputable sources.
iOS 17: Phone, Messages and FaceTime
Apple has exciting plans for iOS 17 as they aim to introduce significant enhancements to their communication apps, including Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. These updates are intended to elevate the communication experience by providing users with more expressive ways to interact. Additionally, Apple has taken into consideration the long-standing requests from users and incorporated sought-after features that have been eagerly anticipated for years. With iOS 17, Apple is focused on empowering users to express themselves more effectively and enjoy a more enriched communication experience.
In iOS 17, Apple is introducing a captivating feature for the Phone app called personalized contact posters. These posters can be uniquely designed, mirroring the customization options available for the iOS lock screen. The primary goal is to empower users to take control of their representation on others’ phones, not only during calls but also in contact cards, offering a seamless and cohesive experience. This exciting customization feature includes the ability to add personalized photos and expressive emoji, enabling individuals to truly showcase their identity and personality through their contact information. Furthermore, Apple’s Callkit tools will extend this feature to third-party VOIP apps, fostering a unified experience across different communication platforms and allowing developers to enhance their apps with this delightful personalization option. As a result, iOS 17 will provide users with a new level of visual expression and a unified communication experience.
Apple’s iOS 17 brings a notable upgrade to the Phone app with Live Voicemail, allowing your phone to listen to incoming voicemail messages in real time and transcribe them as they are being left. This feature provides the convenience of understanding the purpose of a call without answering it. If an incoming call is urgent or important, you can interrupt your current task and pick up the call mid-voicemail. Additionally, FaceTime now enables users to leave video voicemails, providing the option to leave a video message for recipients who are unable to answer the call immediately.
In iOS 17, the Messages app receives several accessibility and safety enhancements, along with quality of life improvements for a more user-friendly experience. One of these updates is the introduction of search filters, allowing users to narrow down search results and quickly locate specific messages. The new catch-up feature automatically jumps to the first unread message in large group chats, making it easier to stay updated. Additionally, Messages now offers voice message transcription for situations when listening is not possible. Stickers also receive updates, enabling users to turn Live Photos into stickers and use stickers as reactions, adding more creative options to conversations.
Apple’s iOS 17 includes a feature confirmed by Apple that cleans up two-factor verification codes found in Messages and email inboxes. The Passwords section in Settings introduces “Clean Up Automatically,” which deletes used verification codes. Apple’s AutoFill feature recognizes this, encouraging users to avoid manual logins.
Messages will also let users share their location during a conversation, with a new Check-in feature that can let friends and family know when you get home safely. This happens automatically, and iOS 17 will be able to detect if you hit a hurdle on your way home. The app is also capable of sending route, cell service and battery information for better context as to what’s going on.
iOS 17: Autocorrect gets better
In iOS 17, Autocorrect is receiving significant improvements that have long been awaited. Apple has announced that the spell-checking feature will utilize a transformer model, leading to enhanced language prediction. This not only results in improved autocorrections of individual words but also enables the ability to fix sentence-level errors as you type. Additionally, Autocorrect will now learn your typing habits over time, offering a more personalized experience based on your commonly used words and phrases. For those who prefer dictation, a new speech recognition model will enhance accuracy, reducing the need for post-dictation editing.
iOS 17: AirDrop adds NameDrop
If that wasn’t enough, Apple is also upgrading AirDrop, letting people share files and information by holding their phones close together. A little like those bumping Bluetooth sharing apps from about a decade ago, if anyone still remembers those.
The idea here is that NameDrop, as the update is called, means you can share your own contact profile, including or omitting information as you see fit, quickly and easily. All without handing your phone or having to dictate information as your contact types it out.
This new system also supports file sharing, enhancing the current AirDrop sharing feature, and lets you kickstart SharePlay experiences. Whether it’s music, video streaming or something else, NameDrop makes it easier to stay in sync.
iOS 17: StandBy mode
It appears that Apple has introduced a new feature called StandBy in iOS 17, which transforms an iPhone into a smart display when placed horizontally on a nightstand or desk. This feature provides a convenient way to view glanceable information such as the time and photos from a distance. StandBy is said to be compatible with widgets and smart stacks, allowing users to customize the display with additional information. Users can swipe through the screens or utilize Siri voice controls for a more effortless experience. During Apple’s presentation at WWDC 2023, StandBy mode was demonstrated on a stand, and it seems that MagSafe might be necessary to activate this mode.
iOS 17: Journal App
According to rumors, Apple is set to release a new journaling app as part of iOS 17. This app aims to stand out from existing journaling apps by offering personalized suggestions based on your activities and locations. It can incorporate information such as the places you’ve visited, the photos you’ve taken, and even the music you were listening to during those moments. Additionally, the app will provide writing prompts to inspire and guide you when creating journal entries.
To ensure convenience, the app can send notifications as reminders to add new entries, preventing you from forgetting to capture important moments. As expected from Apple, privacy is a key focus in the development of this app. All processing of your data occurs on your device, and the content of your journal is protected by end-to-end encryption. This means that only you will have access to your journal, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the privacy and security of your personal thoughts and memories.
iOS 17: Logging your mood and Health app updates
Apple is reportedly making a renewed wellness push with iOS 17, introducing several updates to the Health app. One notable addition is the ability to log your state of mind, allowing you to track your moods, emotions, and potential triggers for your current mental state. These entries can be recorded in the Health app on your iPhone or through an Apple Watch running WatchOS 10.
Over time, the collected data will be aggregated, and Apple plans to integrate mood information with activities such as workouts and sleep to help users identify potential correlations. Additionally, standardized mental health assessments are said to be in the works, offering users a better understanding of their risk for anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.
The Health app will also feature enhancements related to eyesight. Parents will receive prompts encouraging their children to spend 80 to 120 minutes outside in natural sunlight each day, as this has been associated with reducing the risk of nearsightedness. Furthermore, the app will alert users if they are holding their phones too closely for extended periods, as this behavior has also been linked to eye health concerns.
iOS 17: Siri
During the recent news coverage, AI has been a prominent topic, and there were expectations regarding Siri upgrades at Apple’s WWDC event. While the keynote presentation did not unveil a significant overhaul, some changes were announced.
One notable improvement is that Siri will now be capable of understanding consecutive commands without the need to repeat the wake-up command. This means users can give multiple instructions to Siri in quick succession, making interactions more efficient and seamless.
Furthermore, there is a modification to the wake-up command itself. Instead of saying “Hey Siri” to activate the voice assistant, users will now only need to say “Siri.” This streamlined approach simplifies the interaction, providing a more natural and intuitive experience when engaging with Siri.
iOS 17: Apple Music adds cross-fade options between songs
In an unusual move, Apple is introducing a feature in iOS 17 that was previously available on Apple Music for Android. This feature is cross-fade options between songs, which eliminates the abrupt cuts when transitioning from one track to another.
To enable this feature, users can navigate to Settings, then select Music, and finally toggle on the Cross-fade option. By doing so, users will experience smoother transitions between songs, enhancing the overall listening experience and eliminating any jarring interruptions that might occur when one track ends and the next one begins.
Just got to Settings > Music> Cross-fade and toggle on the feature.
iOS 17: Private browsing
Safari is getting a security update in iOS 17, with enhancements to Private Browsing sessions to keep your internet usage safe and secure. That means blocking all known trackers from loading, remove tracking added to URLs and locking your sessions behind Face ID when you’re not using them.
iOS 17: Share AirTags with others
Addressing a long-standing user request, Apple is introducing a feature in iOS 17 that allows users to share their AirTags with others. This feature is integrated into the Find My app and enables users to select an AirTag and choose the option “Share This AirTag.” By doing so, they can grant others access to view the location of the shared AirTag without receiving constant tracking notifications themselves.
This sharing capability extends beyond AirTags and includes other Find My enabled devices as well. However, given the popularity and widespread use of AirTags, they are expected to be the devices most frequently shared among users. With this feature, Apple aims to enhance convenience and collaboration among its users, enabling them to track and locate shared items more effectively.
