Apple iOS 17.2 release to boost millions of iPhones, Watches and iPads
Apple’s new software updates for iPhones, Watches and iPads deliver a range of groundbreaking capabilities to capture life’s special events.
After extensive public testing, Apple is rolling out iOS 17.2 to all compatible devices, including the newly released iPhone 15 lineup, alongside similar updates for iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.
The suite of updates bring groundbreaking new capabilities to capture life’s special events, reflect on everyday moments and even a charging boost.
Although it was promised in the first version of iOS 17, the standout feature is the introduction of the Journal app, which Apple says is aimed at helping “users reflect on everyday moments and special events in their lives.”
Unlike third-party alternatives, the Apple Journal app integrates on-device machine learning to suggest entries based on user activities in various apps.
Whether it’s a recent trip, workout, or podcast episode, the app prompts users with relevant writing prompts.
Third-party developers can leverage the Suggestions API to encourage users to journal based on their app activities.
“We are excited to bring the benefits of journaling to more people,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Journal makes it easy to preserve rich and powerful memories and practise gratitude by intelligently curating personal information to the user, right from their iPhone. And we’re making it possible for other journalling apps to offer the same personalised suggestions while maintaining the highest level of privacy.”
The Journal app boasts end-to-end encryption; all data is stored locally, with optional syncing to iCloud. Plus, users retain control over which apps can provide Journal suggestions – if you can be bothered to dive into the settings, that is.
Perhaps Apple could consider implementing security and privacy suggestions in a future update to simplify this process.
Regarding practical changes, Apple now allows users to access language translation via the newly introduced Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Additionally, millions of iPhones are set to receive a significant charging boost with support for Qi2 charging, matching the wireless charging speeds of Apple’s MagSafe technology released in October 2020.
The latest version will work with the Qi2 standard – a wireless charging technology for chargers not made by Apple – for the iPhone 13 and 14.
The Qi2 standard was introduced at CES 2023 and features support for fast MagSafe wireless charging, including Android devices, thanks to the Magnetic Power Profile technology that ensures compatibility between phones and chargers, guaranteeing faster charging time for those gadgets.
Apple’s own chargers use the already compatible MagSafe standard, but customers have been reluctant to fork out for the expensive gadgets.
Qi2 charging devices will start hitting store shelves in time for the holiday season, according to the Wireless Power Consortium’s press release announcing the new standard.
For iPhone 15 Pro users, spatial video capture is now possible, offering a 3D viewing experience in Apple Vision Pro’s Photos app. A Siri update allows voice access to Health data, and the Apple Music, Messages, and Weather apps receive enhancements. An AutoFill upgrade for PDFs and forms adds convenience.
Alongside updates for the iPhone, watchOS 10.2 was also released, bringing features like Siri-enabled logging of Health app data, including sleep, step count, and exercise ring status information on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple Watch users also gain the ability to view Now Playing content from nearby HomePods automatically and customise their watch faces with a swipe.
Before the release, the tech giant revealed that two exploits were discovered in its iOS software, warning that they “may have been exploited”.
The issue concerns not only iPhones but also iPads and Mac devices.
Experts uncovered a weakness in Apple’s WebKit browser engine, which could allow hackers to gain access to sensitive information.
“Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.7.1,” the company said.
– with the Sun
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