With iOS 17 on the horizon, there are high hopes for its upcoming features. iOS 16, which was released in 2022, included many highly requested features such as a battery percentage indicator and haptic feedback for the default keyboard, which were small yet valuable additions. Additionally, iOS 16 also introduced the ability to customize the lock screen and add lock screen widgets.
The latest version of iOS has the ability to utilize artificial intelligence to effectively differentiate your image from the background in a photo. This allows you to easily move the image around and place it wherever you desire. Additionally, the continuity camera function permits you to use your phone as a webcam.
You now have the option to personalize the font on your lock screen and choose any wallpaper you prefer from your personal photos. The wallpapers can also be enhanced with a depth effect, which is optional. Moreover, Live Text is currently available for use with videos.
iOS 16.2 was updated with the addition of the Freeform whiteboard app, Apple Music Sing, and end-to-end encryption for iCloud. However, the Parallax effect option for static wallpapers has been absent from iOS 16 since its initial release, even though it was a previous feature.
Each year, Apple has been incorporating features into iOS that had been frequently requested and were already available on Android flagship devices. The iPhone 14 Pro models now include an Always On Display, which has been a feature on Android devices for some time. The addition of a battery percentage indicator and haptic feedback on the keyboard were features that were long overdue. Additionally, iOS 14 introduced widgets in 2020, a feature that Apple was tardy in bringing to their devices.
iOS 15 introduced Focus Modes and Live Text, with Live Text being a feature that has long been available with the Google Lens app. As previously mentioned, some of the features in iOS 16 were also inspired by Android. In this article, we will provide you with comprehensive information about iOS 17, and discuss what Apple may incorporate from Android this time around.
Anticipating iOS 17: 10 Features We’re Hoping to Have .
1.Homescreen customisation
Customization has always been a topic of discussion when it comes to iOS. Unfortunately, there is no theme store, so it’s not possible to apply themes easily and drastically change the user interface. Apple might not be keen on adding a full-blown user-powered store like MIUI or ColorOS, but a limited theme store controlled by Apple with a few designs every few months might be a good idea.
Apple takes customization seriously, and they don’t allow users to apply random themes since the company has established itself with its software design, and the iPhone is instantly recognizable. If users were allowed to apply different themes, it might damage Apple’s brand recognition.
The ability to effortlessly edit icons and icon sizes would be a welcome addition for users. Additionally, it would be great to change the app grid layout and place apps wherever we want them to be. While it is possible to do some of this with third-party apps, it can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
Applying custom icons can be a lengthy and cumbersome process. You have to download the icons you want, create a shortcut for each app with the Shortcuts app, and then apply them one by one. A more straightforward process for customizing app icons would be beneficial for users.
3D/Haptic Touch is still not living up to its potential, and it needs an option to update apps via 3D Touch or other subtle tweaks to make it more useful. Additionally, adding more widget sizes and icon sizes would improve the aesthetics of the UI, but this may not happen anytime soon.
iOS 16 has a lock screen switcher that allows users to switch between lock screens by long-pressing. If iOS 17 gets more customization options, a similar feature for the home screen would be an excellent addition. This feature would allow users to switch between home screens effortlessly.
In summary, customization is a vital aspect of iOS that many users have been requesting for years. While a full-fledged theme store may not be in the cards, Apple could provide some options for editing icons, changing app layouts, and adding more widget sizes. Furthermore, an improved 3D/Haptic Touch experience and a similar lock screen switcher for the home screen would be welcomed by iOS users.
2.UI/ UX Redesign
It’s unlikely that iOS will undergo a major redesign with new icons, fonts, and themes anytime soon, so it’s not worth expecting it. Although iOS 7 was a significant overhaul of the UI, and iOS 8 and 9 made some changes to the icons, any subsequent modifications have been relatively minor.
The history of UI design started with skeuomorphism, where icons resembled real-life objects to reflect their function. Later, the design shifted towards flat 2D icons, minimalism, and a glass-morphism design that included Gaussian Blur, Bold Fonts, and aesthetically pleasing System Apps.
Interestingly, the design of macOS hasn’t limited itself to 2D apps but has developed into new morphism. Although macOS icons are not skeuomorphic, they have an almost 3D shape, shadows, depth, and gradients. This gives them a refreshing look, and it would be great to see iOS embrace a new-morphic design that features icons with depth, shadows, and gradients.
3.Stability
Several issues with display quality control have been reported in iOS 16. Aside from hardware issues, there were visual errors such as disappearing widgets, phone crashes, and freezes. Users have also reported app crashes and UI inconsistencies, including font and design errors.
Users have extensively reported problems with thermals, increased standby drain, and worse overall battery life. Additionally, there have been reports of random Wi-Fi disconnections, AirDrop bugs, and black wallpapers. Typically, Apple has a reputation for providing stable software with fewer bugs than Android, but the instability of iOS 16 has tarnished that reputation.
For iPhone 14 Pro users, there were many bugs with the Dynamic Island feature. iOS 16 has been the most unstable version of iOS so far, even surpassing the infamously unstable iOS 13. Many iOS users would prefer a new version that prioritizes stability and bug fixes over adding new features.
4.Interactive home screen widgets.
While the home screen widgets have a modern design and look good, they lack in functionality. It would be a great addition to have a simple way to strike reminders or to edit notes with 3D/Haptic Touch. Currently, you can control music from the widget.
If the widgets had more interactivity, it would lessen the need to open the parent app for small tasks. Adding simple sliders to widgets could be a useful feature. For instance, a widget that allows for convenient email replies, messaging, or the ability to view Tweets and Reddit posts would improve the usability of iOS widget.
5.Improved Multitasking
iOS offers multitasking through the Dynamic Island feature on the iPhone 14 Pro, whereas other iPhones have a picture-in-picture mode. On the other hand, Android devices have had Split Screen multitasking for a long time, which is a feature that iOS lacks.
Although iOS has some multitasking features, it still does not have resizable floating windows that are commonly found on Android devices. These windows are useful for various tasks, including reading and typing notes, editing photos while scrolling through Twitter, chatting on messaging apps while watching videos, and playing games.
Some user interfaces have a sidebar where pinned or recent apps can be quickly launched. It’s also possible to pin multiple apps simultaneously and launch them at the same time. By adding a sidebar that is similar to the macOS Dock, iOS could significantly improve its multitasking capabilities.
Despite the fact that Apple’s chips are powerful, iOS software does not fully utilize them, and it becomes a bottleneck. While it is unlikely to have a Stage Manager-like feature, it is disappointing that there is no comprehensive multitasking feature on iOS. It’s also unlikely that Android devices will offer similar multitasking features.
6.Background Task
A common issue with iOS is its handling of background tasks, particularly with regards to uploads and downloads. Google apps like Google Photos and Drive, as well as large file downloads from Safari, are affected by this issue.
This is due to Apple’s aggressive background task management, which prioritizes battery life but can be frustrating and time-consuming for users.This management system does have a background upload/download API, but there are still limits on how long apps can run in the background.
However, some users may prefer this system for its battery-saving benefits. To address this issue, a simple toggle in the Settings app that allows users to turn off aggressive background task management and receive a warning popup about the effects on battery life would be a welcome addition.While iPhones with 6GB of RAM do run some background tasks, the overall system can still be hit-or-miss. In fact, iPhones with only 4GB of RAM have some of the worst background task management of any 2022 phone.
7.Universal Battery Widget.
It is currently possible to view the battery percentage of other Apple devices, such as an iPad, Apple Watch, or MacBook, using the battery widget. However, having the ability to see the battery level of all devices within a single widget would provide greater convenience.
8.RCS Support for iMessage
iMessage is a widely used messaging platform in the United States, exclusively available on iPhones, which promotes customer loyalty to Apple products and reinforces their position in the market. The proprietary nature of iMessage compels users to stick with iPhones in order to participate in group chats, even when they might prefer other features from other brands. Inclusion of support for RCS would benefit all users of messaging services, as it is a more up-to-date and secure standard. Currently, Apple is still promoting the MMS/SMS standard, which is outdated and insecure.
9.Predictive (T9) Dialling
Android phones have had T9 dialling or predictive text for a long time, which means that when you enter a number in the dialler, the phone predicts the contacts associated with that number. However, on iOS, the contact name is only shown after you have entered the entire number, and no predictions are made.
10.Siri
The Siri virtual assistant on iOS meets the bare minimum requirements of functionality but falls short of being an excellent virtual assistant. Because Apple claims to prioritize privacy and not collect user data, Siri’s ability to understand users is limited.
For a virtual assistant to be effective, it must be able to understand the user and collect a significant amount of their data. However, Apple’s privacy-focused approach limits its ability to do so. There is a need for significant improvements to be made to Siri. It is hoped that Siri will become more intelligent and able to better understand and relate to the user’s recent speech to what was said earlier.
iOS 17 Release Date :
Apple’s upcoming iOS update, possibly named iOS 17, is expected to be revealed during the company’s WWDC 2023 event in June. The public release of the new iOS is anticipated to occur on September 12, 2023.
Normally, Apple unveils new iOS versions during its annual Worldwide Developer Conference in June. Typically, all device models will receive the new update in September, alongside the release of new iPhone models. The upcoming iPhone 15 lineup is expected to launch with the latest iOS 17 already installed, and it’s predicted to become available for public release in mid-September of 2023.
What to Expect from Apple’s iOS 17 Update: A Look at the Rumored Features.
The EU may require Apple to permit sideloading of applications, which has not been allowed before. Apple’s App Store has been closed off, and sideloading has been prevented, with AltStore being the only option, which is complex, difficult to execute, and poses significant privacy and security risks.
Opening its software to third-party app stores might be the only rumoured feature for Apple’s potential sideloading of applications. Additionally, there are expectations of a redesign for the Messages app.
The camera interface in iOS is still inadequate and could benefit from a revamp. Additional default apps changes would also be welcomed, including dual apps, multiple user accounts, the ability to lock apps, a better clipboard, and scrolling screenshots in all areas. Furthermore, the battery popup on iPhones without the dynamic island needs to be less intrusive, and notifications, as well as the File Manager app, require additional enhancements.
iOS 17 Concept.
Graphic designer Parker Ortolani has created a new design concept for iOS 17 that concentrates on improving the lock screen, utilizing Dynamic Island more effectively, and enhancing Siri’s functionality. Ortolani’s design offers more options for personalizing the lock screen, providing a wider range of playful and professional fonts in various colors. The design also enables seamless switching between lock screens, making it easier for users to customize their phone’s appearance.
Ortolani’s iOS 17 design concept emphasizes a more personalized lock screen experience, with a focus on making it easy to switch between screens. This design includes an array of funky and professional fonts in different colors, allowing users to tailor their phone’s appearance to their preferences. Additionally, the concept integrates improvements to Dynamic Island and Siri, enabling a more user-friendly experience overall. Overall, this design concept promises to enhance the functionality and visual appeal of iOS 17.
The ability to share custom watch faces with friends and family is a popular feature among Apple Watch users, and now there is a push to bring similar functionality to the iPhone. A new design concept showcases this feature and its potential to enhance the customization of the iPhone’s interface.
The design concept also introduces changes to the Dynamic Island feature, allowing users to easily switch between ongoing activities and communicate with Siri while on the go. Notifications also receive an upgrade in appearance, making the delivery of alerts more visually appealing.
The user interface has also received improvements, with subtle changes that significantly enhance multitasking capabilities on iOS. These updates are designed to make it easier for users to engage in multiple activities without losing track of their progress.
One of the most significant changes in the design concept is a revamped Siri experience. While the current virtual assistant offering from Apple has fallen behind Google’s equivalent, this concept visualizes an updated Siri that keeps track of conversations and maintains a natural flow of dialogue. The design demonstrates that Siri can answer questions accurately without resorting to spamming web links.
Finally, the design concept includes a mention of Chat GPT integration with Siri, but it is unlikely to be seen in iOS 17. Despite this, the overall concept promises to deliver a more personalized, efficient, and intuitive experience to iOS users.
iOS 17 Details Leaked.
A new report from HowToiSolve suggests that iOS 17 will not be a major overhaul of the UI/UX design, and will not introduce many new features. Instead, the update will focus primarily on improving the stability of the iOS platform.
Compared to the significant lockscreen revamp in iOS 16, iOS 17 is expected to bring only minor refinements to the user interface. The report notes that Apple’s priority for 2023 is to enter the virtual reality market with an AR/VR headset, and thus, the focus of iOS 17 will be on optimizing the operating system to work well with this new device.
The report suggests that iOS 17 will look nearly identical to iOS 16 in terms of its user interface design. Given the issues experienced by users with iOS 16, such as app crashes, display problems, and visual inconsistencies, this news may be welcomed as Apple is not looking to add too much with iOS 17. Instead, the company plans to improve efficiency with the update, which could result in a slight increase in battery life for supported iPhones.
Although there may not be significant changes to the UI of iOS 17, there is the possibility that improvements will be made to first-party apps to better support the AR/VR headset. Apps such as Home, Fitness, Find My, Wallet, and Apple Pay may see better UI navigation and design to accommodate the new device. Overall, the focus of iOS 17 will be on stability and optimization for the new AR/VR headset, rather than major UI or feature changes.
iOS 17: Leaked Code
The leaked code suggests that iOS 17 is currently under development for six devices with a dynamic island, which indicates that all iPhone 15 models will have this feature. It is expected that some of the high-end models, such as the 15 Pro Max/Ultra, will have improved image processing and cooling.
In terms of design, Reminders, Files, and Mail may receive minor tweaks to improve their functionality and accessibility, while the Apple Music app may finally receive a UI redesign. Overall, the leaked information suggests that iOS 17 will not be a major visual overhaul with new features, but rather a minor refinement aimed at improving the software’s reputation for polish and stability.
iOS 17 Supported Devices
The functionality of Reminders, Files, and Mail could be simplified and made more accessible through some minor design changes. Additionally, there may finally be a redesign of the UI for the Apple Music app.
Leaked code suggests that iOS 17 is currently in development for six devices with Dynamic Island, which is a significant increase from the two devices that currently have it. It is believed that the other four devices refer to the upcoming iPhone 15 series, indicating that all of those models will come with Dynamic Island. The code hints at the possibility of better image processing and cooling for the higher-end models.
Despite the alleged code leaks, it seems that iOS 17 will not be a significant revamp in terms of design or new features. Rather, it will focus on refining the software and improving stability to enhance iOS’s reputation for polished software.
iOS 17 Supported Devices
It is possible that the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X might not be supported by iOS 17 next year. Apple discontinued support for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with the release of iOS 16, which was available for five years.
While Apple is expected to support all phones from the iPhone XS onwards, the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X may not be included. The following devices are expected to receive the iOS 17 update: iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series, iPhone XS and XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone SE 2020, and iPhone SE 2022.
It should be noted that this list is subject to change, and the article will be updated periodically with the latest news.
