Each few years, Apple releases a significant iOS model that’s extra of a “upkeep” replace — one which’s lengthy on bug fixes and brief on options.
For instance, the 2018 launch of iOS 12 centered totally on bettering efficiency; whereas it did ship some fascinating new options, these weren’t almost as thrilling as what had proven up the 12 months earlier than in iOS 11 or what got here in iOS 13 the next 12 months.
Releases like these might not generate as a lot buzz as a wholly new house display screen expertise with widgets, dwell textual content in photographs, or a customizable lock display screen. Nevertheless, they symbolize crucial moments the place Apple can take a beat and give attention to fixing present issues and rushing issues up, fairly than including extra complexity — and extra potential issues.
Apple has set a fairly frenetic tempo over the previous 4 main iOS updates, so many believed that iOS 17 could be one other comparatively pedestrian “tuneup” launch, prioritizing sprucing issues up below the hood whereas including few new user-facing options. Earlier this 12 months, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman advised that this may occasionally even be a results of Apple’s engineers being tied up with its mixed-reality headset, and having little time for this 12 months’s iOS 17 launch, which has been given an inside code title of “Daybreak.”
Apple’s give attention to the xrOS working system — together with iOS 16 snags — has additionally price it some new options in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, the following main iPhone and iPad software program updates. That software program, codenamed Daybreak, might have fewer main adjustments than initially deliberate. Mark Gurman
Happily, it seems like Apple has lately modified its technique, and now plans to ship at the least a couple of “good to have” options on this 12 months’s iOS 17 launch.
What’s Coming in iOS 17
In his newest Energy On e-newsletter, Gurman doesn’t consider that iOS 17 will embody the form of “tentpole” enhancements that we’ve seen over the previous three years, akin to the brand new customizable Lock Display screen or House Display screen widgets, however that Apple does plan to “examine off a number of of customers’ most requested options.”
This means that iOS 17 could also be nearer to iOS 12 by way of options, however that’s not notably stunning. As Gurman notes, there’s each purpose to consider that Apple is being extra conservative after a number of the issues it had with final 12 months’s iOS 16 launch.
When Apple got down to develop iOS 17, the preliminary considering was to name it a tuneup launch — one centered extra on fixing bugs and bettering efficiency than including new options. The hope was to keep away from the issues of iOS 16, an bold replace that suffered from missed deadlines and a buggy begin. Mark Gurman
Gurman didn’t elaborate on what these “most requested options” could possibly be, so we’re left with solely hypothesis for now. One questionable leak from October 2022 advised Apple was planning to revamp iMessage with “a brand new house, chat rooms, video clips, and new chat options in AR.”
If correct, that might be a reasonably vital change, nevertheless it’s value noting that the leaker in query doesn’t have a constant monitor file, and we’ve heard no different affirmation on this. Nevertheless, the AR side of those adjustments could also be associated to stories that Apple’s mixed-reality headset could possibly be coming later this 12 months.
Equally, iOS 17 will undoubtedly introduce assist for Apple’s new headset, however that’s arguably extra of an under-the-hood enchancment, as are the adjustments required for the brand new CarPlay 2.0 expertise; Apple already unveiled that finally 12 months’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC), and we’ve been ready for automakers to get on board with it anyway.
Equally, with new EU laws anticipated to power Apple to open up its app ecosystem by March 2024, iOS 17 may pave the best way for side-loading and alternate app shops. Nevertheless, Apple might select to enchantment that call, which may delay its enforcement effectively into iOS 18 or past.
However, with Apple’s 2023 WWDC a little bit over three months away, we’re possible going to begin seeing extra stable stories from leakers within the coming weeks about what to anticipate in iOS 17.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]