Apple has just unveiled the latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 17, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023. iOS 17 promises to deliver a range of new features and improvements that will enhance the user experience and performance of the iPhone and iPad devices. Here are some of the top features of iOS 17 that you should know about.
FaceTime Spatial Audio and SharePlay
iOS 17 introduces a new way to enjoy FaceTime calls with your friends and family. With spatial audio, you can hear the voices of the people you are talking to as if they are in the same room with you, creating a more immersive and realistic sound experience. You can also use SharePlay to watch movies, listen to music, or play games together with your FaceTime contacts, while staying in sync and seeing their reactions on the screen. SharePlay works with a variety of apps, such as Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
Live Text and Visual Look Up
iOS 17 brings a new level of intelligence to your photos and camera. With Live Text, you can select, copy, paste, translate, or look up any text that appears in your photos, such as phone numbers, addresses, names, or dates. You can also use Visual Look Up to identify objects, animals, plants, landmarks, or art in your photos, and get more information about them from the web.
Focus and Notification Summary
iOS 17 helps you stay focused and productive by letting you customize your notification preferences based on different activities or contexts. You can create Focus modes for work, personal, gaming, reading, or any other situation that requires your attention. When you activate a Focus mode, you can choose which apps and people can notify you, and how they appear on your lock screen and notification center. You can also set up a Notification Summary that delivers a curated summary of your less important notifications at a time that suits you.
Safari Redesign and Tab Groups
iOS 17 brings a fresh look and feel to Safari, the default browser for iPhone and iPad. Safari now has a compact tab bar that floats at the bottom of the screen, making it easier to reach with one hand and swipe between tabs. You can also create Tab Groups to organize your tabs by topic or purpose, and access them across your devices. Safari also supports web extensions for the first time on iOS, allowing you to add extra functionality and customization to your browsing experience.
Maps Enhancements and Interactive Globe
iOS 17 adds more detail and realism to Maps, the default navigation app for iPhone and iPad. Maps now shows more accurate road shapes and colors, elevation levels, landmarks, buildings, trees, and more. You can also explore major cities in 3D with the new immersive city experience that lets you see the streets and buildings from different angles and perspectives. Maps also introduces an interactive globe that lets you zoom out and see the whole world in stunning detail.
These are just some of the top features of iOS 17 that Apple has announced at WWDC 2023. iOS 17 will be available as a free software update for compatible iPhone and iPad models later this year.
