iOS 17: The power is in the details
Another iOS update. More promises of revolutionary features. Your iPhone will become smarter with autocorrect, voicemails will become text, and there's even a diary app. Sounds like yet another attempt to improve your life through your screen. But here's what Apple isn't telling you: the real power of iOS 17 isn't in the big announcements. It's the small, almost invisible improvements that will soon determine whether you'll truly be more productive. Think NameDrop for sharing contact information, or StandBy mode that transforms your iPhone into a smart nightstand. Features that will only work if you have the right iPhone accessories , like a good stand or AirPods for live voicemails . What makes iOS 17 truly special? You can read about it below.
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Apple has announced iOS 17, an update that improves your iPhone experience in several ways. From smarter text recognition to a completely new diary app, the update includes features that make your daily phone experience more practical. We've listed the most important improvements for you, including which devices the update will be available for.
Improved autocorrection with transformer technology
Autocorrect in iOS 17 uses an advanced language model based on transformer technology. This means your iPhone is better at predicting the words you're about to type. The system learns from your typing behavior and adapts to your writing style. You'll notice this most when typing messages: fewer subsequent corrections and faster word suggestions.
The difference from previous versions lies in the context. While the old autocorrection system primarily focused on individual words, the new system analyzes entire sentences. This results in more logical suggestions, especially for words that can have multiple meanings.
Live voicemail: listening becomes reading
With live voicemail, you can instantly see what someone is saying while they're still recording. The feature converts speech to text, allowing you to read along while they're recording. This is useful in situations where you can't listen, such as during meetings or on the train.
You can even decide to record mid-message if it's important. Transcription happens locally on your device, so your privacy is protected. For optimal use, this feature works best with AirPods, which improve audio quality.
Check-in for a safe return home
Check-in is a practical safety feature. You set a time you want to be home by 11:00 PM, for example, and choose a contact who will automatically receive a message when you arrive. Don't arrive on time? Your iPhone will temporarily share information such as your location, battery level, and network status with that contact.
All shared data is end-to-end encrypted. The feature works in the background, so you don't have to remember to send a message yourself. Ideal for nights out, long car rides, or when you're traveling alone.
StandBy turns your iPhone into a smart display
Place your iPhone horizontally while charging, and the Standby display automatically activates. Your phone then becomes an informative screen that shows the time, widgets, and photos. Think of a digital alarm clock with extra features.
You can choose different clock styles and add widgets for the weather, your calendar, or other apps. On the bedside table, StandBy displays a dimmed clock; in the kitchen, it might display your timers and recipes. The display adapts to the environment and the time.
Journal: a diary app with smart suggestions
Journal is a new app for keeping a digital diary. What's unique is that the app makes suggestions based on your day. Were you at a special location? Did you take photos? The app suggests writing about them.
Suggestions are based on your iPhone activity: photos, locations, contacts, and even workouts. This makes it easier to start writing. You can set reminders to make journaling a habit. Important: All journal entries remain private. They are stored locally with strong encryption; even Apple doesn't have access.
NameDrop for sharing contact details
NameDrop makes sharing contact information simple. Hold two iPhones together, and they'll automatically exchange contact information. This also works between an iPhone and an Apple Watch.
You control what you share: just your phone number, or also your email address and other information. The feature uses the same technology as AirDrop but is specifically designed for contacts. No more fiddling with business cards or dictating phone numbers.
Siri becomes more accessible
You no longer need to say "Hey Siri." Starting with iOS 17, just saying "Siri" is enough to activate the assistant. A small change that makes talking to your phone more natural. Especially useful if you often use Siri for quick tasks like setting timers or sending messages.
Smarter photo organization
iOS 17 automatically recognizes important people and pets in your photos. The system suggests tagging them, which helps keep your photos organized. Looking for all the photos of your dog? Or a specific family member? It's now faster.
The recognition also works for creating automatic albums and presentations. For example, you can have an album generated with only photos of your children from the past year.
Backgrounds for video calling
New background options are available for FaceTime, Zoom, Teams, and other video calling apps. Choose from a variety of virtual backgrounds specifically designed for video calls, from a tidy office to a blurry background that disguises your own room.
The backgrounds work with all popular video calling apps and utilize the camera's portrait mode technology. This ensures a natural-looking result without any strange edges around your head.
Which iPhones will get iOS 17?
iOS 17 will be available for the iPhone XR/XS and later. This means phones dating back to 2018 will get the update. The complete list includes all iPhone 11, 12, 13, and 14 series models, plus the iPhone SE (second generation and later).
Note: Not all features work on all models. Newer iPhones with more powerful processors will have access to more features. The expected release date is September 2023, which, as usual, coincides with the announcement of new iPhone models.
Practical improvements that make a difference
Besides the big announcements, iOS 17 includes numerous small improvements. Think of faster app launches, better battery optimization, and refined animations. These changes may not be immediately noticeable, but they make your iPhone more enjoyable to use.
There are also improvements for accessories like AirPods and the Apple Watch. Integration is more seamless, and features like automatic device switching work more reliably. If you use multiple Apple devices, you'll notice they work better together.
iOS 17 isn't a complete revolution, but a collection of thoughtful improvements. The update improves existing features and adds new capabilities that you'll truly appreciate. Whether it's coming home safer with Check-in or making it easier to reflect with Journal, the features are practical and well-thought-out.
Conclusion: evolution over revolution
iOS 17 proves that you don't always need groundbreaking innovations for a better phone experience. The improved autocorrect, live voicemail, and Journal app are all practical additions that enhance your daily use. It's the subtle adjustments like NameDrop and StandBy that will make all the difference. For anyone with a suitable iPhone model , the update is definitely worth it. Apple demonstrates that further development of existing features is just as valuable as introducing entirely new technology.
