Software is always in the spotlight whenever WWDC rolls around, so it should come as no surprise that we’ll be hearing a lot about iOS 17 features at WWDC 2023. Developers and testers won’t have to wait long to check out all the new stuff either. , since the iOS 17 beta is expected to be available soon after the announcements at Apple’s WWDC 2023 keynote. In fact, anyone who signs up for Apple’s $99 a year developer program should get their first dibs at the iOS 17 beta.
As for the rest of us (waiting for the giveaway), you’ll want to sign up Apple’s free beta software program – which should probably be available in July. It will be your chance to test the features of iOS 17 in advance before its official launch later this year. Some features change the way people use their iPhones, just like how Dynamic Island gave less distraction with notifications with the release of iOS 16, while others have less of an impact on the day-to-day experience.
However, it won’t be long before iOS 17 arrives, but here are all the features we’ve rounded up so far.
Lock screen mode similar to a smart display
The biggest rumored iOS 17 feature is a revamped lock screen mode that will show more things than notifications and the weather. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman alluded to a lock screen mode similar to a smart display for iPhone, which would show details like the weather and calendar appointments.
The notable thing about this new mode is that it will be accessible when the iPhone is placed horizontally and locked. This is an interesting iOS 17 feature because your iPhone could very well prove to be even more useful if it’s at your desk while you work. There are already many MagSafe chargers that charge the iPhone vertically and horizontally, but this pairing would give the iPhone an extra level of utility when charging.
Given how the upcoming Google Pixel Tablet effectively transforms into a smart display when docked in its Speaker Dock, Apple’s potential lock screen feature with iOS 17 makes perfect sense for getting even more out of the iPhone.
Renewed Wallet app
You may soon receive informative details, such as credit card balances on your Apple Card with a revamped Apple Wallet app in iOS 17 for your iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the native Wallet app will receive “significant” changes, including a Goldman Sachs-backed Apple Card savings account and funding options with Apple Pay Later.
Millions of people often enter serious debt with credit card companies, but this new revamped Wallet app should help people become more financially responsible for their actions. People don’t realize how they could hurt themselves with credit card charges, but having some of these details in the Wallet app could be helpful.
Focus on mental health with the Journal app
Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was working on a diary app to push iPhone users to write more. There was research on how writing helps improve memory and our overall mental health, so this potential iOS 17 feature (codenamed Jurassic internally) would promote iPhone users to write more with daily accomplishments in their writing activities.
Emotion tracking with the Health app
Just as some fitness trackers can track your mood, you may soon be able to do the same thing with the launch of iOS 17. Specifically, iPhone owners would answer questions about their mood throughout the day and, over time, give their results on their mood and emotions. As it turns out, this alleged feature of iOS 17 would be supported by algorithms that can monitor voice patterns and other data to do so.
New Apple CarPlay experience
Teased at last year’s WWDC, we may finally have access to the latest version of CarPlay with iOS 17 beta. Apple promised that the next-generation CarPlay experience would become available to select automakers in late 2023, which brings a host of improvements that extend CarPlay beyond a single screen.
Notably, CarPlay would be integrated into other dashboards in these supported vehicles. For example, a map’s turn-by-turn driving directions would be accessible through the car’s dashboard, making it less of a distraction for drivers. Essentially, the presence of CarPlay will be felt everywhere on multiple displays throughout the vehicle.
Wider AirPlay access
Apple’s AirPlay continues to be a marquee feature often used by iPhone users to easily stream content wirelessly to compatible devices, but it looks like it will get some improvements with iOS 17.
One of the biggest challenges with AirPlay is that you can only stream to devices you own or have permission to access. Second Gurmann, this may change with iOS 17 because it said that Apple has been in contact with public places and hotels to expand AirPlay access to these places. It’s a welcome addition if it’s actually confirmed at WWDC 2023, which would make it easier to do things like stream music from your iPhone to an Apple TV while you’re on vacation.
Sideloading app (for EU)
If submitting to EU requests for a USB-C move wasn’t enough, it looks like iOS 17 will also offer iPhone owners in the EU the ability to sideload apps. It could be a possibility with the EU’s new Digital Markets Act, paving the way third-party app stores. While most people don’t necessarily need to sideload apps, due to the potential risk of security compromises, there are situations where sideloading could be useful.
More from Tom’s Guide
#Top #iOS #Features #Coming #iPhone