Apple Announces iOS 17, With New Features for Messages, FaceTime, and More

Apple today announced iOS 17, the latest version of its mobile operating system for the iPhone. The update includes a number of new features and improvements, including:

• New features for Messages: iOS 17 brings a number of new features to Messages, including the ability to create animated stickers from Live Photos, improved autocorrect, and the ability to share contact information with a new tool called NameDrop.
• Improvements to FaceTime: FaceTime is also getting a number of improvements in iOS 17, including the ability to leave video voicemails, the ability to use FaceTime on Apple TV with Continuity Camera, and the ability to create shared Notes and Reminders during a FaceTime call.
• New features for the Photos app: The Photos app is also getting a number of new features in iOS 17, including the ability to create animated portraits, the ability to edit Live Photos, and the ability to use the Photos app to create custom watch faces.
• New features for the Health app: The Health app is also getting a number of new features in iOS 17, including the ability to track your menstrual cycle, the ability to track your sleep, and the ability to share your health data with your doctor.
• Other new features: iOS 17 also includes a number of other new features, such as a new StandBy mode that helps to extend the battery life of your iPhone, a new Journal app for practicing gratitude, and new AirDrop features that make it easier to share files with others.

iOS 17 is available now as a beta for developers, and it will be released to the public on September 18.

Here are some of the key features of iOS 17 in more detail:

• New features for Messages:
  • Animated stickers from Live Photos: You can now create animated stickers from your Live Photos. To do this, open a Live Photo in the Photos app and tap the Share button. Then, select “Create Animated Sticker.”
  • Improved autocorrect: iOS 17’s autocorrect is now even better. It can now give you grammar suggestions in addition to spelling suggestions, and it can also finish entire sentences.
  • NameDrop: NameDrop is a new tool that makes it easy to share contact information with someone you’re talking to on FaceTime. To use NameDrop, simply say “NameDrop” and then the name of the person you want to share your contact information with.
• Improvements to FaceTime:
  • Video voicemails: You can now leave video voicemails for your contacts. To do this, open the FaceTime app and tap the “Voicemail” button. Then, record your video message and tap the “Send” button.
  • FaceTime on Apple TV with Continuity Camera: You can now use your Apple TV as a camera for FaceTime calls. This is a great way to use FaceTime if you don’t have a webcam or if you want to use a larger screen.
  • Shared Notes and Reminders: You can now create shared Notes and Reminders during a FaceTime call. This is a great way to collaborate with others on projects or to keep track of things.
• New features for the Photos app:
  • Animated portraits: You can now create animated portraits of people or objects. To do this, open a portrait photo in the Photos app and tap the “Edit” button. Then, select the “Animate” option.
  • Edited Live Photos: You can now edit Live Photos after you’ve taken them. To do this, open a Live Photo in the Photos app and tap the “Edit” button. Then, you can crop, rotate, or adjust the brightness and contrast of the photo.
  • Custom watch faces: You can now create custom watch faces using photos from your Photos library. To do this, open the Watch app and tap the “Face Gallery” tab. Then, select the “Custom” option and choose a photo from your library.
• New features for the Health app:
  • Menstrual cycle tracking: You can now track your menstrual cycle in the Health app. This can help you to track your periods, ovulation, and fertility.
  • Sleep tracking: You can now track your sleep in the Health app. This can help you to see how much sleep you’re getting and how well you’re sleeping.
  • Health data sharing: You can now share your health data with your doctor. To do this, open the Health app and tap the “Sharing” tab. Then, select the doctor you want to share your data with and enter their email address.

iOS 17 is a major update that brings a number of new features and improvements