The new version of iOS will be available in final version at the start of the 2023 school year. But in the meantime, Apple is unveiling an iOS 17 available immediately in beta form, and including new features scattered all over the system, without making any changes. major overhaul.
Without mentioning one of the most anticipated announcements, namely the possibility of installing applications from third-party portals, Apple reveals what will constitute the essence of iOS 17. On compatible iPhones, there will notably be improvements dedicated to calls, to FaceTime and iMessage, which we have detailed in this news. We first retain enriched contact cards, personalized in the manner of iOS 16 lock screens, but also options dedicated to reassuring loved ones (Check In, to let them know that we have returned home oneself) or even the real-time transcription of voice messages, to filter unwanted messages, or respond quickly in the event of an important communication. There is also a major emphasis on stickers, which can be isolated in photos (and even live photos), dragged and dropped into conversations or used as reactions to messages.
Siri replaces “Hey Siri”
This is one of the most anticipated announcements, and probably the one on which Apple passed the fastest. The voice command “Hey Siri”, used to activate Apple’s voice assistant, will no longer be essential. A simple Siri, in iOS 17, will be enough to activate it.
Say Siri becomes “Siri” © Apple
A smarter keyboard
In addition to these elements, Apple puts the package on text input, in Messages or any other application. Apple is highlighting predictive input, which displays suggestions directly in the body of the text, a bit like in Google Docs, and no longer in a bar located just above the keyboard: the idea is to allow faster typing. Apple also promises more precise voice dictation, and finer automatic correction, detecting more grammar mistakes. It is therefore a question both of adapting more and more to the habits of the user – the suggestions adapt to their usual vocabulary – and of improving the quality of their texts. In case of error, a new back button makes it possible to delete an incorrect correction quickly.
Information to share more easily
Essential function dedicated to the sharing of content between terminals scratched with an apple, AirDrop also gains new options. It is social, since a function called NameDrop makes its appearance. Presumably based on NFC, this allows you to activate contact sharing by bringing two iPhones (or an iPhone and an Apple Watch) close to each other. Users are then invited to choose the element they wish to share (email address, telephone number), to simplify the procedure in the event of a new meeting. Still within the framework of two close smartphones, SharePlay makes it possible to share the consultation of multimedia content between two mobiles: it can for example be music or livetwihtch.
Apple goes to “journaling”
It is an application that we will discover later in the year. Apple will provide interested parties with an application called Journal, dedicated to “journaling”, this writing practice related to the diary. This app will suggest content (photos, videos, locations, sports training, music listened to, etc.) to inspire writing; developers will be able to obtain the necessary APIs to allow the iPhone to suggest content from their applications to journaling enthusiasts.
When the iPhone is not in use
To encourage iPhone owners to use their mobile even when they don’t need it, Apple unveils StandBy, which transforms the iPhone, fixed horizontally on a MagSafe stand, into a mixture of digital frame and alarm clock -Morning. If Cupertino did not specify the price of such a stand or its real need to access the option, we know that the smartphone, once the function is launched, will display the time, the appointments, the center control of connected objects in the house or photos randomly drawn from the user’s gallery. It will switch to a more subdued red time display on a black background when left in the dark, like a traditional clock radio does.