CNN
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iPhone users: Today is the day to update to Apple’s latest operating system, iOS17, which unlocks a host of new features that promise to make the iPhone experience more personal and intuitive.
Apple first unveiled iOS17 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in early June, but you may have missed some details because the tech giant unveiled its long-awaited Vision Pro mixed reality headset on the same day.
iPhone users can update to iOS17 starting Monday by tapping the “Software Update” section in the phone’s Settings app. Of course, many users have become accustomed to backing up important photos or files before downloading the latest software update – or waiting until the second version is released (perhaps in the coming weeks) if they fear that something went wrong with the first version of the next-generation mobile operating system. . Next up.
Here are some of the most interesting and long-awaited new features that iPhone users can expect from iOS17.
Live voicemail and FaceTime video messaging are available here
One of the most interesting new features, called Live Voicemail, transcribes the caller’s message in real time, letting iPhone users choose whether to ignore or answer the call while the other person is on the phone and leaving their message.
Unknown numbers will be forwarded directly to live voicemail if the Mute Unknown Caller setting is enabled.
Additionally, FaceTime now also gives users the ability to leave video messages without answering video calls.
With iOS17, FaceTime calls are getting more expressive—reactions like hearts, balloons, fireworks, and other effects can be activated with simple gestures.
Another update that may take some getting used to is saying “Siri” instead of “Hey Siri” to activate Apple’s voice assistant.
Removing the word “Hey” from Siri’s startup phrase is intended to create a more natural way to activate the assistant. Additionally, once enabled, Siri can better handle successive requests.
For example, “Hey Siri, how tall is Shaquille O’Neal?” and “Hey Siri, how old is Shaquille O’Neal?” Instead of asking, you’ll be able to say, “Siri, how tall is Shaquille O’Neal? Neil?” Followed by: “How old is she?”
The new NameDrop feature in iOS17 makes exchanging contact information with new friends easier than ever. iPhone users can easily bring their iPhones closer as they do something to share name and contact stickers while Airdropping.
Contact poster update is another new feature that has piqued the interest of iPhone users. It allows iPhone users to design a custom image to display while making a call. Apple says the update lets users choose their own caller ID image and gives iPhone users a more consistent look regardless of who’s calling.
iPhone users can personalize their business card stickers with their favorite images or emojis.
AutoCorrect is also getting a major update with a Transformer language model — or “an advanced on-device machine learning language model for word prediction,” Apple said. According to the company.
This updated design better supports typing and offers automatic sentence-level correction to fix more types of grammatical errors. iPhone users now also get built-in text suggestions with automatic word recognition as they type, making it easy for them to add whole words or complete sentences by tapping the space bar.
The new iOS keyboard will also learn your habits over time, such as B. omitting words you misspell frequently and words you misspell on purpose. “The moment I just want to type an escape word, the keyboard learns that too,” Apple’s software chief Craig Federighi said in June.
New standby mode, journal app and more
iOS17 also introduced Standby, a new full-screen experience with quick information that can be viewed remotely when the iPhone is next to it while charging. For example, if you charge your iPhone on a bedside table or desk, you can adjust the screen to display the clock, favorite photos, or frequently used tools.
Apple’s new Journal app, designed to help users express and practice gratitude through a daily journaling practice, will also be available in a software update later this year.
And there’s more: Discover Apple’s ease of use 17-page manual Get the latest features of iOS17.
