Apple is expected to preview the new iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 at its WWDC 2023 event starting on June 5. Rumor mills claim that the upcoming updates could feature next-generation CarPlay, improved Siri, support for Apple mixed reality headsets, alternative app stores in select regions, and more.
Here are all the iOS 17 rumors related to its UI design, upcoming features, improvements, and more.
- Update, May 8, 2023: Information on new Apple Maps support for Live Activities is added under the Features section.
- Update, April 23, 2023: Information on the improved Wallet app and Find My and support for sideloading in select regions were added under the Features section.
- Additional information on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 supported devices is added under the Compatible Devices section.
- Update, April 12, 2023: Information on Search, Home Screen widgets, Dynamic Island, and more is added under the Features section.
- Update, April 4, 2023: Information on iOS 17 supported devices is added under the Compatible Devices section.
iOS 17 features
Unlike iOS 14 which launched during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, not much is known about the iOS 17 features. However, it still claimed that the new iOS update would be more significant than previously expected to mainly focus on improvements and bug fixes.
Based on leaks and industry reports, here is the list of all the alleged iOS 17 features expected to debut this year:
- Apple leaker @analyst94 claims that Apple Maps will support Live Activities so users can see the directions on the Lock Screen. In iOS 16, Apple introduced Live Activities for Lock Screen for users to get updates on sports events, deliveries, flights, and other apps in real-time without having to unlock their iPhones and launching the apps. The same convenience is now coming to Apple Maps users.
Love it or don’t, Apple doesn’t care – this is the new Maps “Live Activity” for Lock Screen (all iPhones).
– Seamless transition when unlocking.
– View notifications over the map by swiping up as usual.
– shows most Lock Screen elements until unlocked (except widgets afaik). pic.twitter.com/7PUwRUXgVx
— 941 (@analyst941) May 8, 2023
- In a recent podcast with MacRumors, tach analyst Mark Gurman from Bloomberg said:
- The upcoming iOS update will include an improved Wallet app and Find My-related features.
- Apple will not allow sideloading or alternative app stores on iOS worldwide, instead, the company plans to only support in the EU where it will be obligated to do so by law under the Digital Markets Act.
- An anonymous Apple leaker with a decent track record, @analyst941 claims that the tech company will introduce three improvements in the upcoming iOS update:
- “Heavily” improved Search. In iOS 16, Apple introduced a new opt-in feature for the Search button to “Show on Home Screen”, along with the existing quick access to the built-in search by swiping down on the screen.
- Interactive Home Screen widgets to support sliders, single-tap buttons, and dynamic content to edit information. Currently, Home Screen widgets show read-only information and lack support for scrolling, switching, and other interactive elements.
- Dynamic Island will feature more functionality, however, the source did not provide specifics.
- New Focus filters
- Custom accessibility settings
- Additional settings for Always-On display and Notifications
- Improved Car Key in the Wallet app
- Improvements to Camera and Health apps
- New ARKit framework for the launch of rumored Apple mixed reality headset this year.
- Redesigned Control Center with fresh new look and customization options.
- The new update would feature advanced Siri, redesigned iMessage with a new interface, chatrooms, and more, support Apple mixed reality headset, and sideloading.
iOS 17 compatible devices
Sharing information on the iOS 17 supported devices, an anonymous Twitter user @Fame_G_Monster claimed that the update would be compatible with iPhone XR and newer and would not be compatible with the following devices:
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPad (5th generation)
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
It appears that devices older than 2018 will not be supported by the iOS and iPadOS updates. Likely, their processors are not powerful enough to support upcoming new features.
Refuting that claim, Apple leaker @@analyst941 states that iOS 17 will support all iPhone models which currently run iOS 16 including iPhone 8 and iPhone X.
1. iOS 17 Will support all models of the iPhone that was supported with iOS 16. Including ALL ‘A11 Bionic’ powered devices like iPhone 8, iPhone X.
2. As for iPadOS 17; the A9 and A10 Fusion powered iPads may or may not make it to final. It will be decided by QC in 3-4 weeks.
— 941 (@analyst941) April 12, 2023
The latest update on the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 supported devices is a report by the French publication iPhone Soft which claims that Apple would drop support for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (first generation) in iPadOS 17.
iOS 17 release date
Historically, Apple announced the new OS at its WWDC event held in June and begins beta testing of the new updates for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV with developers and beta testers to wrinkle out issues and fix bugs. The new updates are released to everyone in September following the announcement of the new iPhone.
Therefore, iOS 17 release date would be September 2023.
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