iOS 17 Coming Later This Year: Here's What to Expect

[MacRumors]

While there are still around five months remaining until Apple unveils iOS 17, we're already able to piece together a few details about the upcoming software update based on Apple's previous announcements and reported information.

Below, we've recapped everything that we have heard about iOS 17 so far. Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 alongside iPadOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June, so it's still early, and we'll likely learn about additional features planned over the coming months.

Alternative App Stores

Last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was preparing to allow "alternative app stores" on the iPhone in order to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. The changes, which the report said are initially planned for Europe only, would allow iPhone users to install apps outside of Apple's App Store.

Gurman said Apple was aiming for the changes to be ready as part of an "update to iOS 17," meaning that the changes could be rolled out in a point update like iOS 17.1 or later. The law will become fully enforceable in March 2024.

Next-Generation CarPlay

At WWDC 2022, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, which will feature support for multiple displays, widgets, and integration with vehicle functions like the instrument cluster, climate controls, and FM radio.

Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in late 2023, and it's likely that the connected iPhone will require iOS 17 or later. Apple said committed automakers include Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others.

Apple Headset Support

Apple Headset mockup by Ian Zelbo​

Apple is widely expected to announce its long-awaited AR/VR headset this year, and iOS 17 would likely include support for the device before it launches. Apple could also announce other developer-focused software tools for the headset at WWDC.

Fewer Changes Expected

iOS 17 may have "fewer major changes than originally planned" due to Apple's focus on the "xrOS" operating system for its AR/VR headset, according to Gurman. This could result in iOS 17 having more of a focus on bug fixes and stability improvements, but it's still early, so we haven't heard much about exact features yet.

Article Link: iOS 17 Coming Later This Year: Here's What to Expect

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am fine with mostly bug fixes and tweaks. iOS 16 has been solid for me thus far. Hopefully, iOS 17 will be a good supplement release.

 

[geartau]

here's how it's going to happen

- alternate app stores for EU happen
- 1 year passes by, but no major developer makes a serious effort
- pro-sideloaders look at that and say "see! all those who were against it have nothing to worry about, Microsoft/Google/Adobe/Activision aren't leaving the stores, you guys worried about nothing"

- then US passes the law too, alternate app stores happen in USA
- Microsoft/Google/Adobe/Activision pull their apps to force users to download their stores
- These stores offer a poor UX (no automated iCloud backups, separate notification background services = battery hog, uses up too much memory, etc...)

all because people wanted to sideload their apps to download Goldeneye 64 rom illegally to play on their iPhone.

1% loud minority ruins the experience for the 99%.

 

[phenste]

please for the love of f—ing God just have a “Snow Leopard year” and focus on the out-of-control level of bugs across all operating systems

 

[4743913]

and it begins again.....

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

A boost in performance and free of bugs is what I’m expecting from iOS 17. It would be nice if Apple can bring back iOS 4 design to iOS 17. Scott Forstall era!

 

[bLackjackj]

Please get rid of that (even bigger) damn HUGE notch..ahem "island" on the phone! Sheesh, it now takes up a quarter of the screen

 

[BrownyQ]

I look forward to a release with few new features and overall stability improvements. Feels like iOS has gotten a bit less reliable over the last few years.

Revise some existing apps that need it, and just make sure it all works well. There's always the following release for something big and new. Enjoy the momentary lack of steam.

 

[Wildkraut]

here's how it's going to happen

- alternate app stores for EU happen
- 1 year passes by, but no major developer makes a serious effort
- people look at that and say "see! all those who were against it have nothing to worry about, Microsoft/Google/Adobe/Activision aren't leaving the stores, you guys worried about nothing"

- then US passes the law too, alternate app stores happen in USA
- Microsoft/Google/Adobe/Activision pull their apps to force users to download their stores
- These stores offer a poor UX (no automated iCloud backups, separate notification background services = battery hog, uses up too much memory, etc...)

all because people wanted to sideload their apps to download Goldeneye 64 rom illegally to play on their iPhone.

I’m looking forward to upcoming plenty of useful opensource Apps.
Alternative browser engines with adblockers like uBlock.
Maybe even a decent firewall like little snitch.
Plenty of Apps and Games that Apple would block, just because they doesn’t fit to their their anticompetitive rules.
Or use iOS even for compiling, etc.

It’s not only for illegal activities.
EU’s DMA, DSA rules! But yes, freedom will reach the US too, it’s inevitable.

Anyway, you can still just stay in the Apple AppStore and avoid Apps waiting you to join alternative AppStores, simply as that.

 

[JGIGS]

Please get rid of that (even bigger) damn HUGE notch..ahem "island" on the phone! Sheesh, it now takes up a quarter of the screen

I'm guessing some people like it? But I don't see any harm in being able turn the feature off. I think having as optional seems like the right way to go.

 

[Tofupunch]

xrOS - as in "Ten R" or "Ex R?" Apple has me trained as certain way!

 

[gank41]

Unfortunately, I just don’t think we’re in for a “Snow Leopard” release, which all of Apple’s OS’ greatly need.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

here's how it's going to happen

- alternate app stores for EU happen
- 1 year passes by, but no major developer makes a serious effort
- pro-sideloaders look at that and say "see! all those who were against it have nothing to worry about, Microsoft/Google/Adobe/Activision aren't leaving the stores, you guys worried about nothing"

- then US passes the law too, alternate app stores happen in USA
- Microsoft/Google/Adobe/Activision pull their apps to force users to download their stores
- These stores offer a poor UX (no automated iCloud backups, separate notification background services = battery hog, uses up too much memory, etc...)

all because people wanted to sideload their apps to download Goldeneye 64 rom illegally to play on their iPhone.

1% loud minority ruins the experience for the 99%.

It’s not because people wanted to sideload lol, this is just a bonus

The EU didn’t listen to such people , but rather looked at it from a monopoly perspective : apple not allowing any other store means they can ask for any fee , and make devs wait for months before their apps get validated

 

[Populus]

please for the love of f—ing God just have a “Snow Leopard year” and focus on the out-of-control level of bugs across all operating systems

Curiously, the Mac App Store was introduced on Snow Leopard.

But yeah, definitely, we need another iOS 12 focused on performance, speed, efficiency and bug fixes.

A boost in performance and free of bugs is what I’m expecting from iOS 17. It would be nice if Apple can bring back iOS 4 design to iOS 17. Scott Forstall era!

Oh, look how sexy that hardware looked back then. I’m not sure what rear I like the most, the curvy and glossy 3GS one, or the industrial, luxury looking iPhone 4 one.

The software looks pretty snappy for the machines that run it, tbh. It almost seems like a Forstall miracle.

Unfortunately, I just don’t think we’re in for a “Snow Leopard” release, which all of Apple’s OS’ greatly need.

Yeah, I’m pessimistic as well.

 

[NEPOBABY]

Is this a real design?

Our ears are in line with our eyes.

Those straps are not going over the ears, they are going directly on top of our ear hole 🤣 which means the strap will slip down.

Or do they expect us to scrunch up our ears and squeeze them through that slit going around the back? 😂😂

 

[Wildkraut]

A boost in performance and free of bugs is what I’m expecting from iOS 17. It would be nice if Apple can bring back iOS 4 design to iOS 17. Scott Forstall era!

Yep, i admit the skeuomorphic design of older iOS versions was a bit too overloaded, but hey things like page flip in Book App should not have been removed, it made sense and was superb.

 

[Wilson1313]

JUST STABILITY AND BUG FIXES! iOS has gone tremendously downhill the last few versions with constant bugs and cluttered/convoluted UI changes. And Apple music needs a complete overhaul, it is quite pitiful to use on a daily basis.

 

[randomthoughts]

Do we really need a new version of iOS every year?

 

[MBAir2010]

17 is a great number!
looking forward to this upgrade!

 

[klasma]

Do we really need a new version of iOS every year?

Apple needs it so they can funnel in breaking API changes and keep app devs busy.

 

[klasma]

17 is a great number!

It’s a prime number. But will it be a prime iOS?

Also, wow, it’ll already be 10 years since the iOS 7 UI overhaul. I still miss the more 3D-ish design (not necessarily the skeuomorphism) with clearly identified UI controls.

 

[spinedoc77]

Yep, i admit the skeuomorphic design of older iOS versions was a bit too overloaded, but hey things like page flip in Book App should not have been removed, it made sense and was superb.

I'm probably one of three people on Earth that actually loved the old skeuomorphic designs. I have fond memories of hours and hours spent with a jailbroken phone making it even more skeuomorphic than it originally was.

 

[spinedoc77]

Is this a real design?

Our ears are in line with our eyes.

Those straps are not going over the ears, they are going directly on top of our ear hole 🤣 which means the strap will slip down.

Or do they expect us to scrunch up our ears and squeeze them through that slit going around the back? 😂😂

View attachment 2140154

Nah, that's the atrocious mockup someone did that for some weird reason has stuck hard and now everyone uses it. I mean seriously, people are going to put a fluoroelastomer band around their head, one that doesn't even look like it is adjustable? I can see maybe the ski goggles, but who knows what Apple will come up with. Supposedly it was based on rumors, who knows maybe patents.

 

[MauiPa]

Unfortunately, I just don’t think we’re in for a “Snow Leopard” release, which all of Apple’s OS’ greatly need.

Strange, with the whiner and complainer crowd, I am running developer betas of all OS's and don't see any bugs. so where are all these bugs that are supposedly so prevalent? it is a mystery

 

[anthogag]

It would be nice to see some significant new features. More LIDAR and AR uses. More sophisticated picture taking and editing features. Improved on-screen keyboard typing. Taking pictures with only the flashlight for light. Books could have some AR features. Access to security camera feeds in Maps.