Apple’s iOS 17 has arrived, and it brings a slew of exciting updates and features that promise to enhance your iPhone experience. From innovative changes in the way you interact with your contacts to improvements in messaging, FaceTime, and beyond, iOS 17 takes user satisfaction to a whole new level.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the key enhancements and features that make iOS 17 a noteworthy update.
iOS 17 Updates in Phone
Contact Posters:
iOS 17 introduces a fun and personalised way to appear on others’ devices when you call them. With Contact Posters, you can customise your image or poster, adding a touch of creativity to your calls.
iOS 17 Updates in Messages
Stickers Galore:
The Messages app receives a makeover with an iMessage Stickers hub that consolidates all your stickers in one place. This includes Live Stickers, Memoji, Animoji, emoji stickers, and even your third-party sticker packs.
Live Stickers:
Take your stickers to the next level with Live Stickers. You can create dynamic stickers by extracting subjects from photos or videos and then applying cool effects like Shiny, Puffy, Comic, and Outline.
Check-In:
Ensure the safety of your loved ones with the Check-In feature. It automatically notifies a family member or friend when you arrive at a destination safely, sharing essential information in case of any delays.
Audio Message Transcription:
iOS 17 now allows you to read audio messages at the moment and listen later, thanks to the new audio message transcription feature.
Enhanced Search:
Finding specific messages is easier than ever with improved search capabilities. You can combine search filters like people, keywords, and content types to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.
Swipe to Reply:
Respond to messages effortlessly with the swipe-to-reply feature. A simple swipe to the right on any message bubble lets you reply inline.
Single-Use Verification Code Cleanup:
iOS 17 takes security seriously by automatically deleting verification codes from the Messages app once they’ve been used with AutoFill in other apps.
iOS 17 Updates in FaceTime
Video and Audio Messages:
Now you can leave video or audio messages when your FaceTime calls go unanswered. This feature lets you capture precisely what you want to say.
FaceTime on Apple TV:
Enjoy FaceTime calls on your Apple TV by using your iPhone as a camera, available on Apple TV 4K 2nd generation and later.
Reactions and Video Effects:
Spice up your video calls with 3D effects like hearts, balloons, confetti, and more. These effects can be triggered with gestures. iOS 17 also allows you to adjust the intensity of Studio Lighting and Portrait mode during video calls.
iOS 17 Updates in StandBy
Full-Screen Experience:
StandBy mode offers a full-screen experience, showcasing glanceable information like clocks, photos, and widgets. This feature is designed to be viewed from a distance when your iPhone is charging on your bedside table, kitchen counter, or desk.
Customisable Clocks:
Choose from a variety of clock styles, including Digital, Analogue, Solar, Float, and World Clock. You can personalise elements like the accent colour to match your taste.
Photos and Widgets:
StandBy mode automatically shuffles through your best photos or showcases a specific album you select. Widgets appear in Smart Stacks, delivering the right information at the right time. Plus, Night Mode adds a warm, red tone in low-light conditions.
MagSafe Charger Preferences:
iOS 17 remembers your preferred view when charging with MagSafe, whether it’s a clock, photos, or widgets.
iOS 17 Updates in Widgets
Interactive Widgets:
iOS 17 introduces interactive widgets that allow you to perform actions directly from the widget itself. Whether you’re marking a reminder as complete or accessing other functions, it’s all at your fingertips.
iPhone Widgets on Mac:
For seamless integration, iOS 17 lets you add widgets from your iPhone to your Mac desktop, further enhancing your multi-device experience.
iOS 17 Updates in AirDrop
NameDrop and Content Sharing:
NameDrop simplifies contact exchange between iPhones. Additionally, you can now share content or start a SharePlay session via AirDrop by bringing your iPhones close together.
iOS 17 Updates in Keyboard
Improved Autocorrect:
Typing becomes more precise with improved autocorrect accuracy, powered by a robust transformer-based language model (available on iPhone 12 and later).
Easier Autocorrect Editing:
Corrected words are temporarily underlined, allowing you to revert back to your original text with a simple tap.
Enhanced Sentence Corrections:
iOS 17 can now correct a wider range of grammatical mistakes as you finish sentences (available on iPhone 12 and later).
Inline Predictive Text:
Single and multi-word predictions appear as you type, easily added with a tap of the space bar (available on iPhone 12 and later).
iOS 17Updates in Safari and Passwords
Browsing Profiles:
Keep your browsing separate for different aspects of your life with Profiles. It separates history, cookies, extensions, Tab Groups, and favourites for work and personal use.
Private Browsing Enhancements:
iOS 17 enhances private browsing by locking windows when not in use, blocking known trackers, and removing identifying tracking from URLs.
Password and Passkey Sharing:
Create a group of passwords to share with trusted contacts, which stays up to date as group members make changes.
Single-Use Verification Code AutoFill:
Streamline your logins with the single-use verification code AutoFill from Mail in Safari, eliminating the need to leave the browser.
iOS 17 Updates in Music
SharePlay:
Enjoy seamless control of Apple Music in your car with SharePlay, ensuring the music never stops.
Crossfade:
Transition smoothly between songs with Crossfade, which fades out the currently playing song while fading in the next.
iOS 17 Updates in AirPlay
Intelligent AirPlay Device List:
Finding the right AirPlay-compatible TV or speaker is now easier with a device list that ranks your options based on preference.
Suggested AirPlay Device Connections:
Receive proactive notifications for seamless connections to your preferred AirPlay devices.
Automatic AirPlay Device Connections:
iOS 17 simplifies connections by automatically pairing your iPhone with the most relevant AirPlay-compatible device.
iOS 17 Updates for AirPods
Adaptive Audio:
Experience a new listening mode with Adaptive Audio that dynamically blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency based on your environment (available on AirPods Pro 2nd generation with firmware version 6A300 or later).
Personalised Volume:
Adjust media volume in response to your environment and preferences over time (available on AirPods Pro 2nd generation with firmware version 6A300 or later).
Conversation Awareness:
Lower media volume and enhance voices during calls, reducing background noise (available on AirPods Pro 2nd generation with firmware version 6A300 or later).
Press to Mute:
Easily mute and unmute your microphone during calls by pressing the AirPods stem or Digital Crown (available on AirPods 3rd generation, AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generation, or AirPods Max with firmware version 6A300 or later).
iOS 17 Updates in Maps
Offline Maps:
Select and download areas for offline use, ensuring you can access rich information even without a Wi-Fi or mobile signal.
EV Routing:
Get real-time EV charger availability information for supported chargers, helping you plan routes efficiently.
iOS 17 Updates for Siri
“Siri” Voice Activation:
In addition to “Hey Siri,” iOS 17 introduces the option to say “Siri” for a more natural interaction.
Back-to-Back Requests:
Issue multiple requests to Siri without reactivating it between commands (available on iPhone 11 and later).
iOS 17 Updates in Visual Look-Up
Expanded Domains:
Visual Look Up now covers a wider range of domains, helping you discover recipes from food photos, Map information from shopfront images, and more.
Visual Look-Up in Video:
Identify objects in paused video frames using Visual Look Up.
Subject Look Up in Photos:
Gather information about objects lifted from photos directly from the callout bar.
iOS 17 Updates in Health
State of Mind Reflection:
Log your momentary emotions and daily mood while identifying influential factors. Interactive charts provide insights into your state of mind.
Mental Health Assessments:
Understand your current risk of depression and anxiety, and explore support options.
Screen Distance:
Use the TrueDepth camera for Face ID to encourage healthier device viewing distances, reducing digital eye strain.
iOS 17 Updates for Privacy
Sensitive Content Warnings:
Prevent unexpected exposure to explicit images with sensitive content warnings in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters, and FaceTime messages.
Communication Safety Protections:
Enhanced protections for children now include detecting videos containing nudity in addition to photos across various communication platforms.
Improved Sharing Permissions:
Have more control over what you share with apps, with an embedded photo picker and add-only Calendar permission.
Link Tracking Protection:
Remove extra tracking information from shared links in Messages, Mail, and Safari Private Browsing while preserving link functionality.
iOS 17 Updates in Accessibility
Assistive Access:
Simplify app experiences with essential features in various apps, including large text, visual alternatives, and focused choices.
Live Speech:
Type text that gets spoken aloud during phone calls, FaceTime calls, and in-person conversations.
Personal Voice:
Create a personalised voice on your iPhone, enabling users at risk of losing their voice to maintain their unique sound.
Point and Speak in Magnifier Detection Mode:
Use the iPhone to read small text labels on physical objects, aiding accessibility.
Conclusion
iOS 17 brings many features and improvements to enhance your overall experience. These include pet recognition in the People album, Photos Album widgets, improved sharing in Find My, Activity History in Home, enhanced Reminders with Shopping Lists, and much more.
It’s important to note that while iOS 17 offers an array of exciting features, some may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices. Ensure your device is updated to the latest iOS version to take full advantage of these enhancements. iOS 17 is undoubtedly a game-changer, providing users with a more enjoyable and efficient mobile experience.
