WWDC 2023 | iOS 17 lands to bring new sharing, customization and stand-by mode options to iPhones
The WWDC 2023 key-note may go down in history as the dawn of Apple's "spatial computing" revolution - nevertheless, most things remain the same in the meantime, with Craig Federighi introducing the latest version of iPhone software as always. The stable version of iOS 17 was thus the main focus for the latest "expansion" of Apple's AirDrop during the presentation.
The wireless sharing system making music-syncing or photo-sharing between 2 devices much more streamlined, and can now keep the latter going by switching to Wi-Fi or mobile data even if 1 of them moves out of the normal maximum AirDrop range.
NameDrop is another new facet of AirDrop that exchanges or shares the Cupertino giant's new Contact Posters: vertical caller ID 'cards' the user can adjust in terms of font, style and flattering photo to their heart's content. Then again, if an iPhone user is uncertain about picking up to an unknown number, they can activate Live Voicemail to check a transcript of what the caller is saying before actually replying.
FaceTime updates to support for video messages in the event of a missed call in iOS 17, while Messages' range of new features include in-line locations, live and apparently super-customizable Stickers (although they are also system-wide) and "Check In", which allows a user to track a loved one (with their consent) to ensure their safety.
iOS 17 also introduces StandBy AOD, whereby an iPhone can turn into a landscape-oriented, custom 'beside clock' with its own widgets and power-saving all-red mode; then again, this feature is by its nature compatible with the new iPhone 14 Pro series thus far.
More iPhones should be able to benefit from the Autocorrect and Dictation keyboard features augmented with the Transformer machine-learning model for improved prediction, typing accuracy and suggestions, however.
iOS 17 is of course touted as being ripe for development: for example, the new Suggestions API on which the system's new multi-media Journal app is based is open to third-party apps, as is the SharePlay API necessary for the new AirDrop features and the CallKit to support Contact Posters.
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