Apple introduces iOS 17 and these are all the new features

iOS 17 was predictably the focus of Apple's presentation for the opening of the WWDC 2023 conference, with Vice President Craig Federighi and the rest of the Software Engineering team breaking down the new features of the next major version of the company's next major iPhone operating system, which is expected in the fall along with the arrival of the iPhone 15 series.

Let's take a look at all the new features.

• Phone app: big upgrade with personalized tabs for each contact, as many customization options are offered with images, memoji, colors and fonts to see each contact calling you in a unique way both in the Phone app for iPhone and on Apple Watch. The company is also opening up the corresponding API for developers to show the new contact tabs in third-party apps as well.
• Live Voicemail: those who receive messages on their voicemail will be able to see a real-time transcript of the voicemail in text form so they can decide whether to pick up the phone at that moment. In the event that a call is marked as spam, it will not appear in Live Voicemail and will be automatically rejected. The entire process of transcribing the voicemail is done exclusively on the user's device to protect privacy.
• FaceTime: New additions to FaceTime, which will support sending voice and video messages that you can watch later. Users will also find new ways to express themselves with Reactions (hearts, balloons, fireworks, laser beams, rain, etc.), which are activated in real time during the call with simple gestures and will even appear in some third-party video conferencing apps (e.g. Zoom, Webex).
  
  Note that FaceTime is also coming to Apple TV 4K devices for the first time! Users will be able to initiate a video call directly from their TV via the Apple TV and use the iPhone camera, or initiate the call from the iPhone and send it to their TV. Center Stage is also supported which keeps the user always in the center of attention if they are moving around the room.
• Messages: add new emoji stickers and the ability to create your own Live Stickers by removing objects from real photos, even with motion! The stickers you create will be available in a new section on the keyboard so you can easily find and use them.
  
  In addition, the user interface has been redesigned and the search system is even more precise with filters that the user uses to instantly find specific messages within a conversation. New features include an arrow showing you what the last message you read is (handy in group chats) and you will now be able to reply to a message by dragging your finger to the right. If a chat partner is sharing their location you'll see their movements in real time, and audio messages are automatically transcribed to text if you can't hear them at the time.
  
  A new feature for the Messages app is also Check In. Thanks to this you will be able to instantly inform your family or friends that you have arrived at your destination (e.g. at home after a trip). In case you are significantly delayed, other chat users will be able to see useful information such as your location, the battery level on your device and the signal status. All information is protected by end-to-end encryption.
• AirDrop and NameDrop: The AirDrop sharing system is enhanced with a complementary feature called NameDrop. Essentially, you can share a contact's information tab (e.g. phone number, address, etc.) simply by bringing your iPhone next to the other user's iPhone or Apple Watch. In the same way for you can share content or start SharePlay to listen to music, watch a movie or play a game with another iPhone user nearby.
  
• Autocorrect and Dictation: Apple enhances its autocorrect system with a new language model that more accurately guesses the word and/or sentence the user wants to write. The same for the dictation system (Dictation), which is also based on a new speech recognition model for greater accuracy.
• StandBy: A new feature for iPhones with iOS 17, StandBy will turn them into screens for viewing useful information that you can see from a distance. For example, you'll be able to place your iPhone in a horizontal position next to your bed to act as an alarm clock or even view content from various widgets like weather, calendar, photos, etc.
• Journal: the new app added to iOS 17 is Journal, the user's personal diary that will prompt the user to take notes based on personalized suggestions taken from their activities (e.g. photos, locations, workouts, etc.). All information is completely private and protected by end-to-end encryption and the Journal app is locked to be accessed only by the iPhone owner.
  Safari.
• iCloud Keychain: even easier and more secure sharing of passwords and passkeys with other trusted contacts of the user, always with universal end-to-end encryption protection.
• Health: The user can record his mental mood and emotions on a daily basis, so that he can observe patterns that may be affecting his daily life. A Screen Distance option is also added that encourages the user to hold the iPhone at a greater distance from their eyes to reduce eye fatigue.
• Maps: added the ability to download maps for specific areas and access them for offline navigation, with regular ETA and important locations. Especially for the US, updates on charging time for electric vehicles will also be supported.
• AirTag: Οι πληροφορίες τοποθεσίας και η απομακρυσμένη διαχείριση των AirTags θα μπορούν να μοιράζονται με έως και 5 χρήστες, ώστε να μπορούν όλοι να βλέπουν τη διαδρομή, να αναπαράγουν ήχους και να επωφελούνται από τον εντοπισμό ακριβείας μέσω του δικτύου Find My.
• Apple Music: προσθήκη Collaborative Playlists στη μουσική υπηρεσία, για τη δημιουργία λιστών με φίλους και πρόσβαση στο SharePlay για όλους τους επιβάτες σε ένα όχημα, ακόμη και αν δεν έχουν συνδρομή στο Apple Music.
• AirPods: Η Apple αναβαθμίζει το λογισμικό των AirPods με Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume και Conversation Awareness, τρία χαρακτηριστικά που βελτιώνουν περαιτέρω την εμπειρία του χρήστη. Το Adaptive Audio μεταβάλλει αυτόματα το επίπεδο της ενεργής ακύρωσης θορύβου με βάση τον περιβαλλοντικό θόρυβο, το Personalized Volume προσαρμόζει αυτόματα το επίπεδο της έντασης, ενώ το Conversation Awareness αντιλαμβάνεται πότε υπάρχει ανάγκη να βγείτε από την απομόνωση για να συνομιλήσετε με έναν περαστικό.
• Siri: Η ψηφιακή βοηθός Siri είναι πλέον προσβάσιμη χωρίς το "Hey" (απλά πείτε Siri) και μπορείτε να δώσετε πολλαπλές εντολές με μία ενεργοποίηση.