During the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023 yesterday, Apple finally announced the next major iOS update, iOS 17. Noteworthy additions consist of enhanced safety features, a pre-installed journaling app, a revamped nightstand mode, redesigned contact cards, improved auto-correct and voice transcription capabilities, and live voicemail. Additionally, you will have the ability to omit the word “hey” when calling for Siri.
First and foremost, your contact book is receiving an update that introduces a new feature called posters. This feature transforms contact cards into eye-catching images, which appear in full-screen on the recipient’s iPhone when you call them. These posters utilise a design language resembling the revamped lock screens, offering bold typography choices and the option to add Memojis. Additionally, they are compatible with third-party VoIP calling apps.
Another notable addition is the live transcription feature for voicemail. It allows you to view a real-time transcript of the message being left by a caller. You can choose to continue listening to the message or answer the call, all of which is handled directly on your device. Moreover, you can now leave a message on FaceTime as well.
In terms of updates to Messages, you will have the ability to filter searches using additional terms, jump to the most recent message for easier catching up, and access transcriptions of voice messages. A set of new features called Check In has also been introduced, allowing you to share your live location and status with someone else. For instance, it can automatically send a message to a friend when you arrive home and share your phone’s battery and cell service status to prevent confusion in areas with poor reception.
Stickers have undergone an overhaul too. You can now add any emoji or photo cutout as a “sticker” positioned within iMessages or any other part of the system. Live photos can be transformed into animated stickers, and additional effects can be applied to stickers.
AirDrop has also received an update called NameDrop, which enables the transfer of contact information by simply bringing two iPhones near each other. This feature also works between an iPhone and an Apple Watch. Sharing photos follows a similar method, and if the file is large, it is now possible to move out of range while the download continues.
Keyboard updates are included as well, with improvements to autocorrect. The autocorrect function now relies on a new language model to enhance accuracy. There is also a simpler shortcut to revert back to the original word you typed if necessary. In-line predictive typing and sentence-level autocorrections have been introduced to rectify more grammatical errors. Additionally, the keyboard will learn your preferred profanity, a fact humorously highlighted by Apple’s Craig Federighi during the presentation. Dictation now employs a more accurate AI model.
A new app named Journal has been introduced, which automatically suggests moments that you might want to capture in a journal entry. These entries can include photos, music, and activities, and you can set reminders to prompt yourself to start writing. Journal entries are end-to-end encrypted to ensure privacy.
StandBy is a new charging mode that transforms the screen into a status display showing the date and time. It can also showcase information from Live Activities, widgets, and smart stacks. This mode activates automatically when your phone is in landscape mode while charging. By swiping to the right, you can view some of your highlighted photos, and customizable clock faces are available. In StandBy mode, Siri will present visual results, and the display adopts a red tone at night to avoid disrupting sleep.
Siri has received enhancements as well, now allowing you to omit the “hey” from “Hey Siri.” Additionally, Siri can recognise back-to-back commands.
iOS 17 will be accessible to developers starting today and will be released as a public beta next month. The full version will be available this fall for iPhone XS and newer models.
For more information about additional features in iOS 17, you can head on over to Apple.
