Your Guide to the Newly Released iOS 17 & Its Exciting Features

In the ever-evolving world of the iPhone, the recent iOS 17 update stands as a prime example of Apple’s innovative streak. This version brings to the table an array of comprehensive new features and numerous enhancements designed to optimize iPhone usage, particularly in terms of connecting with fellow iPhone users.

Shaking off the dazzling façade of the lock screen transformations debuted in iOS 16, Apple has now shifted its focus on revamping the visual aesthetics of phone calls and contact lists. As we currently find ourselves swimming in a plethora of video call applications and services, Apple is stepping up its game, giving FaceTime a well-deserved upgrade, making it an even more alluring option for users all around the world.

This upgraded version is packed with brand-new features, including the StandBy Mode, personalized stickers, the option to set multiple timers at once, and much more.

We have tested the public beta for iOS 17, and the following are the elements you should definitely try out post-upgrade.

The Path to Upgrading to iOS 17

To upgrade to iOS 17, access the Settings application, proceed by scrolling down to General, followed by selecting Software Update. Here, if your iPhone is primed for an update, you will see an option to elevate to iOS 17.

A whopping 20 differing iPhone models, spanning back to the 2018-born iPhone XR, are fit for the smooth operation of iOS 17. The beauty of this year's OS updations lies in their non-reliance on heavily advanced processors or intense machine learning, meaning those sporting older supported iPhones won't feel deprived of significant features. StandBy serves as an isolated case exceeding this rule. It's designed to perform optimally—or indeed as intended—specifically with the top-tier, always-on display-equipped smartphones from Apple's lineup.
In case an immediate upgrade isn't feasible, waiting a bit to ensure all potential bugs are fixed can be a smart move.

Highlights of the iOS 17 features

Smart Autocorrect Learns Your Vocabulary

How frequently have you unintentionally (or intentionally) typed a curse word, only to have your iPhone "generously" replace it with a softer substitute? With iOS 17, autocorrect will learn and adapt to your language style, including the expletives, and incorporate them for future usage. This feature displayed good performance during our beta tests. Should autocorrect still believe "you don’t give a fig," there's an undo button on-screen to revert the text back to what you originally typed?

Stay Safe with the Check-In Feature

The brand new Check-In feature in Messages automatically sends alerts to chosen contacts confirming you've reached your destination safely. Should your iPhone notice any deviation or stop on your route, your chosen contacts will receive a notification including your route, cellular connectivity, and phone's battery level. We're yet to test this personal safety feature in the iOS 17 beta, but we'll update more on its efficiency once we do.

Simultaneous Multiple Timers in Your Hand

For the first time in iPhone history, you can configure multiple timers that run concurrently. Simply set a timer in the Clock app as normal, and then click the '+' icon on the top right to create a new one. You also have the option to label each timer, reducing mix-up of their purposes, much like you can do with alarms.

Enhancing your iPhone Experience

Transform your iPhone with StandBy Mode

When laying your charging iPhone horizontally, it shifts to an innovative StandBy mode, morphing your iPhone into a useful clock, calendar, or digital frame. Depending on the MagSafe dock, your iPhone now adjusts StandBy settings, repositioning as a clock in the bedroom or a digital frame in the study.

A vision in red on your desk.

We deem the StandBy Mode as a knack for your dormant iPhone to come in handy. However, it's most convenient with a MagSafe dock and on an iPhone with a continual display like iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 15 Pro, or 15 Pro Max. Also, owing to the generous size of notifications in StandBy Mode, disabling notification previews could maintain privacy.

Elevate your chats with stickers

Msg App in iOS 17 now facilitates easier access to all your stickers, including the ones from third-party apps. They allow stamping your texts with self-made stickers from photos, people, multiples, or pets, adding interactive animations for extra delight. Despite a minor sizing issue with third-party apps while using iOS 17 beta, the full-feature test awaits iOS 17 official release.

Gesture-triggered video effects

iOS includes eight reactions, like rain, confetti, and hearts, for video calls. Just access them from a menu or by gesturing in front of the iPhone front camera, like a double peace sign, adorning your background with falling confetti. Available in FaceTime and other apps like Zoom, you'd require an iPhone 12 or above for gesture control.

Their smooth functionality impressed us during testing, though making the hands visible on the screen required some exact positioning.

Visualize your voicemails

New voicemails now display as transcribed text on your iPhone lock screen, giving you the liberty to answer or not. For missed FaceTime calls, you can now leave a video message. Surprisingly, video reaction gestures function on video voicemails, too.

Optimize group chats on Messages

With the convenience of inline replies and improved search with multiple filters, tracking and searching through the bulk of group chats on Messages is straightforward. Also, voice messages now come with transcriptions for when audio listening isn't possible.

Share your information with NameDrop

Bringing your iPhone close to another instantly shares your contact details - a seamless procedure, as we experienced with the beta. Personalizing with a poster contact proves to be more illustrative.

Browse with privacy on Safari

Privacy remains a paramount part of iOS 17 updates. Safari now accommodates multiple profiles for privacy, and Private browsing tabs lock after 15 minutes, keeping them concealed when your phone is in someone else's hand. However, you need to manually set this via Settings.

Expanded features coming on iOS 17

Look forward to testing some non-inclusive features of the original iOS 17. If you use Notes for jotting down the significance, the Journal app might interest you, urging you to reflect and secure your input with end-to-end encryption. Promising improvements in AirDrop will facilitate continued transfers even after moving out of range. Once available, we will dive into these.

We recommend keeping devices updated not just to explore new features but also for improved privacy and security. Although a new OS might come with some bugs, an upgrade for privacy and security improvement reasons seems compelling.