WWDC 2023: Apple Debuts iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma

Apple has officially unveiled iOS 17 during the keynote stage of WWDC 2023. Notable features of this update include enhanced safety measures, an integrated journaling application, a brand new nightstand mode, revamped contact cards, improved auto-correction and voice transcription capabilities, as well as the introduction of live voicemail. Furthermore, users will have the ability to omit the word “hey” when summoning Siri.

The new StandBy mode offers a full-screen experience when your iPhone is charging and placed on its side. This feature transforms the screen into a status display featuring the current date and time, and is optimised for viewing at a distance. It is also capable of presenting photos, widgets, and Live Activities, all of which can be customised to suit your preferences.

One of the biggest new add-ons to iOS 17 is Contact Posters, which transform Contact Cards into striking full-screen images that offer bold typography options (similar to the redesigned lock screens from iOS 16) and the ability to include Memoji. These eye-catching designs are displayed when you receive calls and seamlessly integrate with third-party communication apps.

iPadOS 17 will also be getting Contact Posters, along with a slew of new and old features introduced to the iPhone — such as customisable lock screens, an improved messaging experience, and the new Journal app. New interactive widgets allow users to engage with certain apps directly on the Home Screen and Lock Screen without opening them. What’s more, Live Activities and the Health app will finally be making their way to iPad, and the Notes app will receive PDF support.

Widgets headline the forthcoming macOS Sonoma. Users will have the flexibility to move widgets from the Notification Center directly to their desktop or import them seamlessly from an iPhone through Continuity (which links Apple devices together) when both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. When you open a window, these interactive widgets intelligently fade into the background, ensuring a seamless user experience.

In addition, Apple has introduced a new Game Mode for Mac, specifically designed to prioritise a game’s access to CPU and GPU resources. At the same time, this mode aims to minimise latency for connected AirPods, and Xbox and PlayStation controllers. Apple assures compatibility with all titles on the operating system, including the newly-announced Death Stranding Director’s Cut on macOS.

Meanwhile, videoconferencing experiences have been enhanced with the Presenter Overlay feature. This feature enables you to showcase content like slideshows while keeping your face visible on camera. Furthermore, a collection of reaction AR effects can be utilised during calls, providing a fun and interactive experience. These features are reportedly compatible with various videoconferencing applications, ensuring broad accessibility.

Safari, Apple’s web browser, will receive notable enhancements with the Sonoma update. Web apps will now have the capability to function similarly to regular macOS apps, offering features such as notifications and the option to pin them to the dock for easy access. The introduction of Profiles enables users to maintain separate sets of cookies, browsing history, and tab groups, providing a clear distinction between work and personal activities. Additionally, private browsing windows will offer enhanced safeguards against web tracking and automatically lock when not in use.

Apple is also focusing on improving the secure sharing of passkeys and passwords through iCloud Keychain, making the process more convenient and reliable. These updates aim to enhance the overall browsing experience and privacy features within Safari.