Upgrade Time, Peeps! 📲📱
December 17th marked the day Apple unveiled the latest upgrade - iOS 17.2. It's been a while since the last major iOS upgrade, which was iOS 17.1 back in September, and we've had some minor updates since then. But with iOS 17.2, we're back to the good stuff. Here's what's new:
Apple's journaling app is the star of the show this time around. Announced during WWDC, yet delayed until now, Apple has finally released its very own journaling app: Journal.
Apple sets Journal apart from similar apps by creating comprehensive entries based on your iPhone activity. Journal automatically includes photos you've taken, places you've visited, music you've listened to, and workouts you've completed, forming journal entries for you. You can then use this data to write a traditional journal or simply jot down whatever you please.
Sounds simple? Well, it's a great starting point for those unfamiliar with feature-rich journaling apps, according to tech expert Khamosh Pathak.
iMessage Contact Key Verification 🔑
For individuals who face unusual digital threats, like journalists or public figures frequently targeted by hackers, iOS 17.2 offers a new security feature. The Contact Key Verification feature ensures that the person you're communicating with using iMessage is actually who they claim to be. If your iPhone detects an unrecognized device intruding on your Cloud server and intercepting your conversations, it will alert you. You can even use a verification code to confirm the other person's identity.
Disable Audio History in Focus Mode 📚
Want to listen to some background music while you're in Focus mode, but don't want it to count towards your listening history? No problem with iOS 17.2. Simply turn off the Audio History feature for a particular Focus mode, and whatever music you listen to in that mode won't be tracked in your Apple Music history.
Assigne Actions to Translation Buttons 🔁
New iPhone 15 Pro features include the ability to assign actions to translation buttons. Choose "Translate" in iOS 17.2, and tap the action button to quickly open the translation app.
Delayed from its initial introduction as part of iOS 17.0, the catch-up arrow is finally here. Navigate to an older message thread and tap the arrow to jump to your very first unread message within that thread.
Add Emojis or Stickers to Messages 💬
Another delayed feature, Apple brings even more fun to sending messages with iOS 17.2. You can now react with emojis or stickers as well as the usual Tapback smiley options. Plus, Apple allows you to transform anything into a sticker with iOS 17. You can react to practically any message with this feature.
Be warned, though. Apple will censor inappropriate content in stickers, just as it does in photos. But with this feature, you'll have even more to censor! And as always, you can disable the feature whenever you like.
Favorites Playlists
The "Favorites" function in iOS 17.1 replaces the now-useless "I Like It" feature. It automatically creates new Favorites playlists every time you mark a song as a favorite.
Spatial Audio for Apple Vision Pro
Okay, so Apple Vision Pro isn't available yet (sadly), but if you have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, you can still take advantage of the spatial audio recording feature, which is optimized for Apple Vision Pro. It doesn't matter that you can't enjoy the 3D video just yet; you can still record the content for later viewing.
Enhanced Qi2 Wireless Charging for iPhone 13 and Later Models ☀️
As always, Apple brings us a taste of the future, even if it's not quite ready. With iOS 17.2, Apple's iPhone 13 and later models are updated to support Qi2 wireless charging. This new standard enables magnetic charging with up to 15W using MagSafe or any other Qi2-compatible device. But be warned: MagSafe chargers that support Qi2 haven't hit the market yet, so stick with what you know for now.
Improved Telephoto Focus Speed for iPhone 15 Pro Max Users 📹
If you own an iPhone 15 Pro Max, you'll now see improved focus speed when using the telephoto lens. That means it'll be even faster and easier to focus on tiny objects at a distance.
Rain and Snow Conditions for Next 10 Days 🌧️
Enjoy improved weather tracking with iOS 17.2. Now you can keep an eye on rain and snow conditions for the next 10 days.
New Wind Speed Widget 💨
Check the wind speed for the next 24 hours with the new wind speed widget.
Widget Adjustments
iOS 17.2 now offers three new weather widget options: details, daily forecast, sunrise and sunset times, and sun position. Put simply, you now have more ways to keep track of the weather without leaving your home screen.
AirDrop Contact Sharing and Paper Tickets 📌
Thanks to the latest AirDrop update, sharing contact information is now easier than ever. You can now share your contact details directly through AirDrop, or even split your screen to share electronic boarding passes and tickets.
Improved Autofill 📝
Say goodbye to manual data entry in PDFs and other forms. The new autofill feature recognizes data input fields, allowing you to populate them with information from your contacts without using a keyboard.
Missed the Group Library Sharing feature? 😔
Initially planned for iOS 17.2, the shared group library feature was delayed until the following year. Sadly, we'll have to wait a little longer until we can collaborate with friends on playlists.
Small Improvements 📉
Last but not least, iOS 17.2 has brought several minor improvements. You can now use a rainbow text option when creating contact cards, and Apple Books now features a fast scroll option as you switch between book pages. Moreover, Siri can now access and record private health data using voice commands, but only if you explicitly give it permission.
Apple has also updated its policies regarding in-app purchases. Now, users cannot buy videos or TV series directly within the Music app, but rather are directed to the Apple TV app. Similarly, when using the Fitness app during workouts, you'll be able to focus on the workout instead of worrying about music control, as the app will redirect control to the audio player. Lastly, a bug affecting some cars that prevented the use of wireless charging has been fixed.
Additional Resources:
Here's how you can incorporate the desired keywords and sentence structure into your revised article:
- If you're keen to discover the latest iOS features, don't miss out on the upgraded Journal app, released in iOS 17.2. It was initially announced at WWDC but wasn't available until now.
- Protect your iMessage conversations from digital threats with iOS 17.2's Contact Key Verification feature. This parental-control-like feature helps ensure you're messaging who you think you are messaging.
