Apple
CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple’s annual release pace is like clockwork: Every September, new iPhones arrive and a new version of iOS for new and old iPhones — at least, the iPhones that are still supported. iOS 17 wasn’t mentioned during the show, but the official website lists a date of September 18.
While some recent annual iOS updates have focused on rethinking or redesigning existing parts of the experience (like the home screen or widgets), iOS 17 is mostly about adding a plethora of new features. For example, it’s introducing a new mode called StandBy, which allows it to act as a kind of smart clock with special widgets when placed in landscape mode while plugged in to power – ‘clock radio mode’, if you will.
It also adds a new diary app, improved search and other customizations for Messages, much-improved autocorrect, offline maps, FaceTime video voicemails, a safety feature to keep your friends or family informed about your status called “Check In,” and a review of AirDrop. Furthermore, it now transcribes voicemails as they come in, so you can screen calls like before. You can even call Siri without saying “hey” first.
iOS 17 will be available not only on Apple’s new iPhones, but also on several older models. That said, some older phones will be disabled, most notably the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus. Those phones will still get security updates, but not the new iOS 17 features.