The Ultimate iOS 17 Update: Discover Mind-Blowing New iPhone Features!

Attention iPhone users: Today is the day to upgrade to iOS17, the latest operating system from Apple. This update introduces a variety of new features that aim to enhance the personal and intuitive iPhone experience. Although Apple initially showcased iOS17 at the Worldwide Developer Conference in June, you might have overlooked some of the specifics due to the unveiling of their highly anticipated mixed-reality Vision Pro headset on the same day.

The new iPhone 15 models will now use a USB-C charging cord, ending an 11-year run with Apple's proprietary lightning charging cable.

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iPhone users can download and install iOS17 by accessing the Software Update section in their Settings app, starting from Monday. It is common for users to back up their important files and photos before updating to the latest software version. Alternatively, some users may choose to wait for the second version of iOS17, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks, to avoid any potential bugs associated with the initial release of a new mobile operating system. Here are the exciting and highly anticipated new features that iPhone users can look forward to in iOS17.

Live Voicemail and FaceTime video messages are here

Introducing Live Voicemail, one of the most talked-about new features. This revolutionary advancement transcribes callers' messages in real time, empowering iPhone users with the choice to either dismiss the call or answer it while the caller is still on the line, all while leaving their message.

When the "Silence Unknown Callers" setting is enabled, calls from unfamiliar numbers will be directed straight to Live Voicemail. Additionally, FaceTime now allows users to leave video messages in cases where the recipient does not answer a video call.

With iOS17, Facetime calls will also get more expressive - with reactions such as hearts, balloons, fireworks and more effects that can be activated through simple gestures.

“Hey, Siri” is about to lose “Hey”

Siri can now be activated by simply saying "Siri" instead of "Hey Siri," which may take some time to adjust to. The removal of "Hey" aims to make the activation more natural. In addition, once activated, Siri will be able to process consecutive requests more effectively.

NameDrop feature makes it easier than ever to share contact info

Instead of inquiring about Shaquille O'Neal's height and age separately by saying, "Hey, Siri, how tall is Shaquille O'Neal?" and "Hey, Siri, how old is Shaquille O'Neal?", you should be able to simply ask Siri, "Siri, how tall is Shaquille O'Neal?" and follow up with "How old is he?"

The NameDrop feature in iOS17 simplifies the process of sharing contact information between iPhone users. By bringing their iPhones close together, similar to AirDropping, users can effortlessly exchange names and Contact Posters.

An additional exciting feature that has been generating buzz among iPhone users is the Contact Poster update. This update enables users to personalize an image that will appear when making calls. According to Apple, this update grants users the ability to select their own caller ID photo, resulting in a consistent look across all calls, regardless of the recipient.

iPhone users will also be able to personalize their contact card "poster" with a photo or memoji of choice.

Autocorrect is getting a ducking improvement

Apple announced that Autocorrect is receiving a comprehensive update, including a transformer language model. This state-of-the-art on-device machine learning language model will improve word prediction and offer sentence-level autocorrections for a wider range of grammatical errors. Additionally, iPhone users will now receive predictive text recommendations in-line while typing, simplifying the process of adding words or completing sentences with a simple tap of the space bar.

The new iOS keyboard will also learn your habits over time, such as correcting words that you often misspell and leaving words untouched that you deliberately typed in. As Apple's head of software, Craig Federighi, stated in June, "In those moments where you just want to type a ducking word, well, the keyboard will learn it, too."

New StandBy mode, Journal app and much more

In iOS 17, StandBy is a new full-screen experience that provides easily readable information when the iPhone is placed on its side for charging. This feature allows you to customize the display with a clock, favorite photos, or frequently used widgets, making it perfect for when you charge your iPhone on your nightstand or desk.

Additionally, Apple will be releasing a software update later this year that includes the Journal app. This app is designed to assist users in reflecting and cultivating gratitude through the daily practice of journaling.

And theres a whole lot more: Check out Apples handy 17-page guide on all of the newest features coming to iOS17.