Apple’s most recent update, iOS 17, includes many brand-new features. From AirDrop enhancements to Personal Voice, there are many improvements that users can look forward to. Users can now bump their phones together and transfer contact information, photos, and even videos, using Airdrop, for instance, which has been enhanced. A new accessibility feature, Personal Voice, enables users to create a synthesized voice that can say anything.
Along with these significant updates, there are numerous more minor updates that users will value. For example, Apple has improved the keyboard and dictation, adding new interactive widgets and messaging features like Check-In. IOS 17 promises to be a welcome refinement of Apple’s stock apps.
Key Takeaways
- iOS 17 includes new features, from AirDrop enhancements to Personal Voice.
- Minor updates, such as keyboard and messaging feature improvements, also make the update worthwhile.
- While some features require two iPhones, the new capabilities will impress users.
iOS 17 Overview
The newest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 17, will debut in September, along with the release of the new iPhone. The public beta is already available for those who want to try it out before the official release. The newest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 17, will debut in September, along with the release of the new iPhone.
Airdrop
Airdrop is getting a significant upgrade in iOS 17, making it more capable and easier to use. The ability to share content by jolting two iPhones together is the most notable new feature. This feature, called Name Drops, allows users to transfer contact information, photos, videos, and content links and even start a SharePlay session with just a single touch. Airdrop will resume file transfers over cellular networks if the connection is lost.
Personal Voice
Users can create a synthetic voice that sounds like them using the Personal Voice accessibility setting. The process involves saying a list of phrases into the microphone, and the phone will compile the recordings overnight to create a custom voice. To continue communicating with the outside world using a voice that sounds like their own, this feature is intended for people who may be at risk of losing their Voice or have medical conditions that cause vocal cord fatigue.
The Little Things
Apple has made several tweaks and improvements to its stock apps, adding new features that add up to a welcome refinement. The keyboard has been updated with Transformer-based autocorrect and improved dictation, while widgets are now interactive. Check-In, a new feature of the Messages app, enables users to share their location with friends and family.
Live Text
Users can now interact with Text in photos using Live Text, a new feature. The ability to copy and paste, look up, or translate Text in photos is made possible by this feature, which recognizes Text in photos using on-device intelligence. This feature works across all apps, so users can easily extract information from photos without manually typing it out.
Focus
Focus is a new feature that allows users to customize their device’s notifications based on their actions. Users can create custom Focus modes that filter notifications based on their current activity, such as work, driving, or sleeping. This feature helps users stay focused and reduces distractions, making it easier to get things done.
AirDrop Enhancements
Name Drops
Apple has expanded AirDrop to include a new feature called Name Drops. This feature allows users to share their contact information by simply holding their iPhones up to each other and bumping them together. Users can choose which information to share and customize their “My Card” with photo and font choices. Users can share photos, videos, and content links and even start a share-play session.
My Card Customization
The My Card feature at the top of Contact Settings allows customization with a user’s preferred photo and font selections. Any changes made to this card will show up to people who have the user in their contacts.
Sharing Capabilities
AirDrop now allows for file transfers to resume over cellular if two iPhones are separated during a transfer. Users can also share photos, videos, and content links and start a share-play session by getting their iPhones close to each other.
Cellular Transfer
A new feature of AirDrop allows for file transfers to continue over cellular if two iPhones are separated during a transfer. This feature provides greater flexibility for users who may not always have access to Wi-Fi.
Overall, these AirDrop enhancements provide greater ease of use and flexibility for iPhone users.
Personal Voice Feature
Creation Process
iOS 17 introduces a new accessibility setting called Personal Voice. This feature is designed for individuals who may risk losing their Voice or experiencing vocal cord fatigue. To create a personal voice, users can navigate to the Speech section in Accessibility settings and select the “Create a Personal Voice” option.
The phone will then prompt the user to go to a quiet place and say a list of 100-150 random phrases into the microphone. The phone will then compile all the voice recordings locally on the device and stitch together a new synthesized voice that can say anything the user wants. Users can then enable live speech by triple-tapping the power button to add a text block and type in whatever they want the Voice to say.
Usage
The Personal Voice feature is a welcome refinement to iOS 17. It is not a mainstream feature, but it is a significant development for those who may need it. The synthesized Voice may not sound entirely human, but it does sound like the user, making it a more personal and less generic option than Siri’s Voice. Overall, the Personal Voice feature is an impressive addition to iOS 17’s accessibility settings.
Minor Updates
Improved Keyboard
Apple has made significant improvements to the keyboard in iOS 17. The Transformer-based autocorrect and improved dictation make typing faster and more accurate. Additionally, the keyboard has a more innovative spell-check feature that learns from your typing patterns and provides better suggestions.
Interactive Widgets
Widgets in iOS 17 are now interactive, allowing users to view and interact with information without opening the app. This is a welcome refinement that makes widgets more valuable and convenient.
Check-In Feature In Messages
iOS 17 introduces a new feature called Check-In in the Messages app. This feature allows users to easily share their location with friends, family, or significant others. Users can decide who to share their location with and how much data they want to share. The app also includes a tracker that updates in real time to show the user’s location.
Overall, iOS 17 includes several minor updates that improve the user experience. These updates demonstrate Apple’s commitment to refining and improving its products, even in small ways.
Standby Mode
Display Features
iOS 17 is packed with several new display features. One of the most impressive is the expanded capabilities of AirDrop. Users can now share contact information, photos, videos, and content links by bumping their iPhones together. This feature, called Name Drops, allows users to choose which information they want to share and customize their contact settings with a photo and preferred fonts. Additionally, AirDrop can resume file transfers over cellular if users move out of the Wi-Fi range.
Another new feature is the Personal Voice accessibility setting. It allows users to create a synthesized voice to say anything. The process involves recording 100-150 random phrases and compiling them into a new voice. This feature is designed for people who risk losing their Voice or with conditions like MTD.
Apple has also made several minor but welcome refinements to its stock apps. The keyboard is now smarter with Transformer-based autocorrect and improved dictation. Widgets are now interactive, and new messaging features like Check-In allow users to share their location with others.
Siri Improvements
iOS 17 includes several improvements to Siri. With the new Live Text feature, users can now extract Text from images and use it in various ways, such as copying and pasting or searching for information. Siri can also now translate Text in real time, making it easier for users to communicate with people who speak different languages.
Another new feature is using Siri to control smart home devices without an internet connection. This feature, called Siri Offline, allows users to control their devices even if their internet is down. Finally, Siri can recognize different voices, making accessing their personalized content
Easier For Multiple Users
IOS 17 has several impressive new features that make it a noteworthy update. While some of these features require another iPhone, they still significantly improve the user experience.
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