Have you noticed that iOS updates in recent years have been increasingly underwhelming when it comes to exciting new features? While there have been some additions, such as SharePlay and Visual Lookup, the overall trend suggests that Apple has been releasing lackluster updates. Some users may argue that iOS is already perfect, and that's why we don't see massive changes or new features often. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. iOS still has plenty of issues, and Apple could add functional features to its most profitable product to make it even better.
While there have been rumors about new features in iOS 17, we'll only know how these rumors hold with the iOS 17 release. Foldable iPhone rumors have been around for years, but we still don't have those. So, let's see what Apple's latest software update brings. In this post, we have shared a wishlist of five features that should be included in iOS 17.
iOS 17: A Wishlist
Below is a list of features we would love to see in Apple iOS 17 to improve our iPhone experience:
Now let's see what we expect from each of these potential iOS 17 features.
1. A Keyboard Revamp
As an iPhone user, you may have noticed that Apple added haptic feedback support to the iOS keyboard with iOS 16 release, which was long overdue. It means you can only use it with iPhone models that are compatible with iOS 16, such as iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and a few more. If you have a device older than the iPhone SE (2nd generation), you cannot use the haptic keyboard.
However, when compared to other third-party keyboards available on both iOS and Android, this change alone falls short. If you look at keyboards like Gboard and Microsoft SwiftKey, you'll see they have functional features like constant number row, clipboard integration, and simple gestures for deleting words and using emojis. Additionally, these keyboards offer extensive customization options like adding background images or changing icons.
Most importantly, these keyboards have superior auto-correct functionality that actually helps users instead of causing frustration. Considering that the keyboard is the most used feature on an iPhone, if Apple were to add only one new feature to the iOS 17 update, it should be an improvement to the keyboard.
2. A Siri Reboot
Siri is expected to be an innovative and advanced assistant that utilizes Artificial intelligence to simplify your phone usage, answer difficult questions, and carry out useful tasks for you. However, it often fails to perform even basic tasks, such as opening the App Store, and instead responds with an error message.
Despite being introduced years ago, Siri's functionality and reliability remain far behind other virtual assistants, such as Google Assistant and Alexa, which were launched much later. If you find yourself constantly frustrated with Siri, you are not alone, and if Apple monitors the number of times users curse at Siri, it may serve as motivation to improve its performance.
Hopefully, with the iOS 17 release, Siri will become a more competent and effective virtual assistant.
3. Local Audio Storage (it's about time, Apple)
One thing that may settle the Android vs. iPhone debate is Android's ability to store music locally. You can easily download music on your Android devices from online sites or transfer it from your PC in minutes.
However, in iOS land, listening to locally stored music is much more complicated. You need to watch a 10-minute tutorial video, access specialized apps, and follow an elaborate step-by-step procedure. It's almost as if Apple intentionally made the process difficult to force more people to subscribe to Apple Music.
There are a lot of songs that aren't available on Apple Music, and it would be a game-changer if adding them to your library from your Files app was easier. Unfortunately, the chances of Apple making this possible in iOS 17 or even iOS 20 are slim to none. But here's hoping!
4. App Library Customization
As an iOS user, you may have noticed that the app library was one of the biggest updates in iOS history. While the idea of automatically sorting apps into context-specific folders is good, it is not without flaws. For example, apps that can't be categorized are put into a generic Other folder, and there is no option to create your own folder or move apps between existing ones. This can result in finance apps being added to productivity folders, podcasts being added to reading folders, and so on.
If you find these flaws frustrating, you might agree Apple could take inspiration from how Android handles things in the App drawer. The Android app library version allows users to customize their library according to their preferences. So, why not let iOS users do the same?
5. An AirPods App (why do we even have to ask for it?)
The one thing that might annoy you the most about iOS is the absence of a default standalone app for Apple AirPods. Despite being the most successful product released by Apple in recent years, AirPods do not have an app to customize their features, check for updates, and change their settings. It is worth noting that most headphone manufacturers have such an app for their headphones.
While Apple has included a page in the Settings app for AirPods, it only allows you to quickly change a few settings. The process of upgrading your AirPods is still not very straightforward. You have no way of knowing whether a new update is available, checking its details, or downloading the update manually. The only option available is to keep using your AirPods as usual and hope that they will get updated without you knowing what has changed.
If Apple adds a standalone app for AirPods, just like the one for Apple Watch, you can configure its settings, customize its features, and manage software updates. This would be a highlight feature of iOS 17.
Conclusion
iOS 17 is a highly anticipated release that could improve the user experience in several areas. Although iOS 16 brought some interesting changes to the home screen, users are expecting more from Apple. In this article, we discussed a wishlist of five features that we hope to see in iOS 17. These features include a keyboard revamp, a Siri reboot, local audio storage, app library customization, and an AirPods app. While these improvements may not all make it into iOS 17, we are hoping to get at least one or two to enhance our iPhone user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When will iOS 17 be released?
iOS 17 will release for developers' testing at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2023. A public beta of iOS 17 will come out around July 2023. If Apple follows tradition, iOS 17 will launch in September 2023 after the beta testing period along with new iPhone models.
Will iOS 17 be compatible with older iPhones?
iOS 17 will be compatible with older models since Apple typically supports several generations of iPhone models. So, many older devices will be compatible with iOS 17, mostly the ones that are compatible with iOS 16.
What other features can we expect from iOS 17?
At this time, it is not clear what other features will be included in iOS 17. Apple typically keeps its plans for new releases under wraps until closer to the release date.
