Here are the top features and improvements in iOS 17

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The beta of iOS 17 is still being tested by Apple Developer Program members, and it is no secret that it is currently filled with issues. Nonetheless, iOS 17 is expected to deliver a bunch of exciting features and improvements to the iPhone XR/iPhone XS and later.

Apple already announced these details during its 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference. However, the list is long, and some features and improvements weren’t even shared. As such, here are some of the top iOS 17 news to know if you are one of the users hoping to get the stable update soon.

• DockKit API. iOS 17 includes an API for developers and accessory makers, allowing them to create apps and stands to control the iPhone’s movements while docked. It can use Apple’s Vision framework, which provides face/face landmark detection, text detection, barcode recognition, image registration, and general feature tracking. This means developers who like to take advantage of the API can create apps that allow users to choose what subject to track using the camera.
• Hey, Siri is now “Siri.” Apple simplified the command for calling Siri in iOS 17. Nonetheless, there’s still an option to disable it and return to the conventional use of Hey Siri. Just go to the Settings app, look for “Siri and Search” in the fourth section, select “Listen for,” and choose from the options “Siri or Hey Siri,” “Siri,” or off.
• Better autocorrection. Apple said autocorrection in iOS 17 would be better as users could personalize them by training them using on-device machine learning (ML). This means your keyboard should learn your typing behavior, preventing it from suggesting unnecessary words like “ducking” when you want to cuss.
• StandBy. After earlier reports, Apple confirmed the feature in the event. The idea behind the feature is to turn your iPhone into a smart home display when locked and placed horizontally. The information it will show will depend on the preferences of the iPhone owners, and it will employ the system’s widgets. Some include the calendar, clock, reminders, alerts, and more. Nonetheless, Apple optimized the system widgets to make their information more glanceable even when the phone is docked on the table or anywhere in the room.
• Offline mode in Apple Maps and real-time EV charging station availability details. Apple Maps is also getting a new capability in iOS 17, allowing users to download specific map areas for offline use. When downloaded, it will include all the essential details to be able to show them to you even when you go offline. Another addition is the new option to set the EV charging network you are using. The map will also display charging station availability information in real time. For example, if you choose the Supercharger network, Apple Maps will now show you the number of available charger spots in a station alongside the chargers currently being used. Also, the app will only show you the stations that can cater to your EV’s charging connectors.
• Apple Wallet IDs for businesses. In iOS 17, iPhone users should be able to share their IDs stored in their Apple Wallet with businesses requiring it for certain purchases. This will be helpful for stores wanting to verify their customer’s identity and details before handing them services. For instance, bars and other places selling alcohol can find this system valuable for their businesses.
• NameDrop. Building on Apple’s AirDrop capability, NameDrop will allow users to use a new gesture to trigger a sharing action of contact information. This will enable an easier and more convenient way of sharing your details, especially when meeting several new people during events.
• Auto fillup and deletion of email verification codes. When you receive a verification code in the mail, iOS 17 will automatically use it for automatic fillup and later delete the message. It removes the need to leave Safari to get the codes.
• Family Passwords. The new Family Sharing feature in Safari will allow easier sharing of passkeys with family and trusted friends. This will be possible via the improvement in the iCloud Keychain.
• Visual Look Up for food recipes. The feature will allow iPhone users to receive recipe suggestions using a picture as a reference. It can be summoned by tapping the information icon on the screen of the food’s picture. The Visual Look Up will then identify the food subjects in the photo and suggest a list of recipe results. However, Visual Look Up won’t directly suggest the exact recipe for the dish in the picture. Instead, it will recommend similar recipes using the main ingredient identified by the system.
• Journal app. iOS 17 also signals the arrival of a dedicated journaling app for Apple customers. Like the keyboard improvements, the Journal app will use ML to provide suggestions. It can use different data on your device, including music and location, to suggest topics and content you can discuss and include in your journal. The Journal app will also offer a notification system, so you’ll be reminded when to write your journal for the day. You also have the option to customize this setting by adding the notification schedule.
• Contact Posters. iOS 17 users can customize the looks of their own contact cards or the cards that belong to other individuals in their Phone app. Contact Posters will give iOS 17 users a set of tools that they can use to customize (or, basically, edit) the appearance of their contact cards. This will allow users to change the contact’s image effects, the name’s font style, and even the image’s background.
• FaceTime voicemail. After the relentless request of the Apple community. Apple is finally bringing voicemail to FaceTime. With this, you can record a video (or just an audio message) and send it when the recipient misses the FaceTime call.
• Live voicemail transcription. In iOS 17, the devices will be able to display live transcripts while someone is leaving a message or voicemail. These transcripts will be shown on the device screen while simultaneously featuring the caller’s contact card and the Message and Accept buttons.
• Personal Voice. It is one of the biggest and most controversial features of iOS 17, as it will allow users to produce a synthetic voice. The idea behind the feature is to give people at risk of losing their voices a tool they can use to immortalize them. It will only require a total of 15-minute voice input from users by reading a series of prompts on iPhones or iPads. Doing so will record the users’ voice, which will then be processed to generate the synthetic voice copy that can be used with Apple’s Live Speech. Apple said Personal Voice would only use on-device machine learning, assuring the voice data of users won’t be used or accessed by others.
• Interactive widgets. iPhones are soon setting interactive widgets for the Home app, allowing users to instantly access controls for HomeKit accessories.
• Dynamic Island. There are no big changes in Dynamic Island, unfortunately, except for some app integrations, including the clock, Shazam, and Meater smart meat thermometer.