Apple's iOS 17 promises many new communications features. — Photography Courtesy of Apple/AFP Relaxnews
Apple recently outlined some of the updates coming to iOS 17, the next version of its iPhone operating system, due in September 2023. It will enable new uses in terms of phone functionality, video calling and more.
At the launch of its WWDC developers' conference, Apple presented the broad outlines of iOS 17, which will officially roll out in September. The Phone, Messages and FaceTime communication applications will evolve to offer new uses to iPhone owners.
With Phone, the new Live Voicemail feature will enable users to send an incoming call to voicemail and read real-time written transcriptions of the voicemails left by callers. Users also have the option of picking up the phone to speak to the other person at any time. This new feature is particularly useful when you're unable to take a call, whether on public transport or in a meeting, for example. In addition, it will be possible to personalize what people see when you call them by creating a visual identity with a photo or Memoji.
The Messages application introduces Check In, a feature that lets users notify friends and family that they've arrived at a destination. Plus, users will be able to create their own Live Stickers from photos, adding effects to animate them – ideal for having fun with friends' or pets' faces.
For its part, FaceTime will now support audio and video messages, ie, it will be possible to leave a message for a contact if they are not available. It will also be possible to react to live calls with fun effects like hearts, balloons, fireworks and other animations. Moreover, FaceTime finally gets compatibility with Apple TV 4K, so that calls can be switched to the TV set.
On top of this, iOS 17 will bring a new feature called StandBy. The idea is to be able to display selected information in full screen mode when the iPhone is on its side and charging. It can then be transformed into a clock or photo frame during the day or an alarm clock at night, with the time displayed in large numbers, as well as the date and alarm.
Many other Apple applications integrated into the operating system will receive numerous improvements.
iOS 17 will be available on the next-generation iPhone 15, which will be launched in September 2023. Otherwise, only models released since 2018 – ie, since the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR generation – will be able to benefit from the update. – AFP Relaxnews
