iOS 17 Public Beta: Unveiling 5 Groundbreaking Features That Will Revolutionize Your iPhone Experience
Apple has made an exciting announcement for iPhone users as the highly anticipated iOS 17 beta is now available to the public beta testers. This means that individuals who have enrolled in the public beta testing program can now experience the cutting-edge features of iOS 17 on their iPhones. Until now, the beta version was exclusively accessible to developers, but Apple has now expanded its availability to a wider audience.
Apple’s latest iOS 17 update brings a plethora of exciting features to iPhone users, enhancing their overall experience. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top features introduced in iOS 17:
StandBy Option
iOS 17 introduces the StandBy option, a convenient feature that transforms your iPhone into an information hub when it is charging. When enabled, StandBy displays a range of useful information on the locked screen, providing quick access to essential details and widgets. This feature offers a snapshot of time, Live Activities, incoming notifications, and other customizable widgets, allowing users to stay informed even when their device is not in active use.
It’s important to note that the StandBy option is exclusive to charging situations. When you connect your iPhone to a power source, whether it be a charger or a wireless charging pad, StandBy activates and presents the relevant information on the locked screen. This ensures that you can easily access important details at a glance without needing to unlock your device.
Interactive Widgets
iOS 17 introduces an exciting enhancement to the lock screen and home screen experience on Apple iPhones with the addition of interactive widgets. These widgets offer users the ability to customize their screens with informative and dynamic content, making it easier than ever to access important information from both first-party and third-party apps.
With the introduction of interactive widgets, users can now view and interact with app-specific content directly from the lock screen and home screen. This means that you no longer have to navigate to the app itself to get a glimpse of relevant information. Whether it’s checking the weather, tracking fitness goals, or staying updated with the latest news, these widgets provide at-a-glance access to key data without the need for app switching.
NameDrop
In iOS 17, Apple has introduced a new feature called NameDrop, which expands the capabilities of the existing AirDrop feature on iPhones. With NameDrop, iPhone users can now effortlessly share their contacts with nearby iPhones using AirDrop.
NameDrop simplifies the process of sharing contact information by leveraging the convenience and efficiency of AirDrop. Traditionally, AirDrop has been used for sharing files, photos, and other media between devices. However, with the introduction of NameDrop, users can now seamlessly exchange contact details with others around them, eliminating the need for manual input or sharing contact cards through messaging or email.
Update to Phone & Messages app
iOS 17 introduces significant updates to the Phone and Messages apps, enhancing the overall communication experience for iPhone users.
In the Phone app, one notable addition is the customizable Contact Poster feature. This feature allows users to personalize what others see when they receive a call from you. You can choose to display a specific image, such as a photo or avatar, or even a custom text that represents your identity or preferences. This customization adds a personal touch to your outgoing calls and allows recipients to easily identify your calls.
Additionally, iOS 17 introduces two valuable features for Phone app users in select regions. The first is the live voicemail feature, which enables callers to leave you voice messages that you can access and play back in real-time, eliminating the need to wait for the voicemail to be transcribed or stored for later retrieval. The second feature, known as “Silence Unknown Callers,” helps reduce unwanted and spam calls by automatically silencing calls from unknown numbers, ensuring that only calls from recognized contacts or numbers in your Messages and Mail apps will ring through.
Moving on to the Messages app, iOS 17 brings exciting new capabilities. Users now have the ability to create custom stickers, adding a personal touch to their conversations. These stickers can be designed and shared within the Messages app, allowing users to express themselves creatively and uniquely.
Furthermore, iOS 17 introduces the Check-In feature in the Messages app. This feature enables users to share live data with selected contacts during conversations. The shared data can include information such as battery status, live location, estimated time of arrival, and more. Check-In enhances communication by providing real-time and contextual information to keep contacts informed and connected.
FaceTime Update
iOS 17 brings notable updates to the FaceTime app, enhancing the overall video and audio communication experience for iPhone users.
One significant addition is the ability to record and send audio/video messages if a FaceTime call is missed. This feature allows users to leave a personalized message for the recipient, ensuring that important or timely information can still be conveyed even if a live conversation is not possible at the moment. Users can record their message and send it directly within the FaceTime app, making it convenient and seamless to stay connected.
Furthermore, iOS 17 introduces the option to add 3D effects to video during a FaceTime call. This feature allows users to enhance their video presence by overlaying various augmented reality effects and filters onto their video feed in real-time. Whether it’s adding playful stickers, animated characters, or immersive backgrounds, users can add a touch of creativity and fun to their FaceTime conversations.
In addition to these features, iOS 17 enables users to initiate a FaceTime call directly from their Apple TV. This integration enhances the versatility of FaceTime, allowing users to effortlessly connect with their contacts using their Apple TV as a communication hub. This feature expands the accessibility and convenience of FaceTime, ensuring that users can make video calls on the big screen with ease.
iOS 17 also introduces the Personal Voice feature in the Accessibility settings, which is particularly significant for individuals with speech loss. This feature enables users to create a customized voice that closely resembles their own voice and use it in various communication scenarios, including Live Speech during calls and conversations.
How to Download iOS 17 Public Beta Version?
To download the iOS 17 public beta, follow these steps:
- Ensure that you have enrolled in Apple’s beta testing program. If you haven’t enrolled yet, you can do so by visiting the Apple Beta Software Program website (beta.apple.com) and signing up with your Apple ID.
- Before proceeding, it is recommended to back up your iPhone to ensure that your data is safe. You can back up your device using iCloud or by connecting it to a computer and using iTunes/Finder.
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app, which can be found on your home screen.
- In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on “General.”
- Within the General settings, tap on “Software Update.”
- The device will check for any available software updates. If the iOS 17 public beta is available, you will see a notification prompting you to download and install it.
- Tap on “Download and Install” to begin the download process. Make sure you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and that your device has sufficient battery charge or is plugged in during the update.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Your iPhone will restart as part of the installation process.
- After the installation is complete, your iPhone will be running the iOS 17 public beta.
It’s important to note that beta software may contain bugs or performance issues, as it is still in the testing phase. It is recommended to install beta software on a secondary device or use caution when using it on your primary device.
The following Apple iPhone models are eligible to receive the iOS 17 update:
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
