Apple creates buzz and ripples with every new launch or update. With more than a billion iPhone users in the world, iOS remains one of the biggest contributors to its business and brand. These users always look forward to new product launches and software updates.
If you are one such iPhone user or an iOS developer, you have landed at the right place. In today’s blog, we will discuss iOS 17 and its subsequent version updates. From new apps to advanced video recording abilities, iOS 17.2 brings forth several new features.
So, grab a cup of coffee and start reading. Stay tuned as we unravel the update and explore the new features. Learn about the iOS 17.2 update in general and know how it will impact user experience and iOS app development.
In this blog
- What changes with the latest iOS software update?
- How does iOS 17.2 impact iPhone app development?
- How to develop iOS apps?
- Frequently asked questions
Side Note: This blog contains software version numbers that denote the updates. If you are new to the concept or you want to read about software version numbering in detail, you can check out our ‘Complete guide on understanding software version numbers.’ Continue reading and find out all about the latest iOS update below.
What changes with the latest iOS software update?
Apple released iOS 17.2.1 on December 19, 2023. This comes right after the release of iOS 17.2 which was pushed on December 11, 2023. These were subsequent updates to the iOS 17 version that was launched on September 18, 2023.
The iOS 17.2.1 update was a minor one. According to Apple, it ensured important bug fixes and was limited to that. However, 17.2 brought forth many concrete changes. Let us start by exploring those advancements.
iOS 17.2 update – The major developments
Journal App
One of the most significant features of this update is the Journal App. The in-built app enables you to write and save your life events. It identifies significant “moments” by analyzing locations, images, workout milestones, and so on.
The app generates writing prompts based on these moments. There are filters for finding bookmarked entries and revisiting the desired events and moments. The entries can be protected with Touch or Face ID and saved on iCloud.
Camera
As far as the camera is concerned, Apple launched the Spatial Video feature with this update. The much-awaited Vision Pro headset is expected in the first quarter of 2024 and the feature has been designed keeping this release in mind.
The Spatial Video feature allows simultaneous recording from the primary and ultrawide cameras. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can leverage this feature on their phones. The videos are recorded at 1080p at 30 fps and allow users to enjoy an immersive and interactive viewing experience.
Messages
The update added several advancements to the messages feature. Catch-up enables users to navigate and jump to the first unread message in a conversation by tapping the arrow visible in the top-right corner.
Additional features like Add Sticker and Memoji further enhance the messaging experience for iPhone users. Moreover, Contact Key Verification provides automatic alerts and Contact Verification Codes for verification and identification of senders and recipients.
Weather
The update brings many improvements to the Weather app. New widgets let users choose from several options like next-hour precipitation, daily forecast, sunrise time, sunset time, Air Quality, Wind Speed, etc.
The interactive moon calendar enables visualization of the phases of the moon. Whereas wind map snapshot allows users to assess wind patterns. Moreover, users can also keep track of the precipitation amounts and other similar updates.
Action Button
The update enables the translate option for the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. It allows users to quickly translate the phrases or have a conversation with others in a different language.
Others
iOS 17.2 update ensues several miscellaneous features like enhancements to AirDrop sharing options, Apple Music, Health Data Access, AutoFill, Keyboard Layouts for 8 Sámi languages, and so on. Above all, the update focuses on enhancing user experience and control.
Suggested Read: Android vs iOS users: A detailed behavioral comparison
How does iOS 17.2 impact iPhone app development?
Every iOS version update also impacts app development in some way or another. iOS 17 required developers to work on more secure app infrastructures.
From navigating additional consent requirements to fine-tuning app permissions, there was a huge emphasis on data security and user experience. Additionally, developers also got access to new tools for optimizing machine learning models for enhanced visual experience and performance.
Similarly, 17.2 also opens several new avenues for developers. They can create apps that utilize new features like the Journal App, improved camera functionalities, AirDrop enhancements, spatial audio and live caption translation, lock screen widgets, and so on.
Developers can leverage these updates and features to add more functionalities to their apps. Moreover, keep an eye out for subsequent updates and beta versions. Align your development projects with Apple’s latest guidelines and make the most of the opportunities.
Suggested Read: Best app ideas for start-ups
How to develop iOS apps?
If you are intrigued with how iOS impacts the app market, you can consider developing iOS apps for your own business or others. Here are the popular methods you can use for app development:
1: Create your own app with a no-code iPhone app builder like AppMySite. This is a beginner-friendly method suitable for instant and easy app development.
2: Build your app using traditional programming languages and frameworks. This method is best suited for professional coders and programmers.
3: Hire a team of app developers and experts or outsource app development to an agency. Huge expenditures and long project-delivery timelines are the downside of this method.
Choose your best approach based on your skill, budget, timeline, project goals, and availability of resources. Start with extensive research and go on to create skeletal frameworks for your app.
Once your app idea is validated, you can start designing and building your app. Test it for performance and responsiveness and deploy it on the Apple App Store. To know more about the detailed process of app development you can go through our guide suggested below.
Suggested Read: How to create an app in 10 simple steps?
Frequently asked questions
Is iOS app development profitable?
iOS is the second biggest mobile operating system. It accounts for around 30 percent of the global mobile OS market share. In first-world countries like the US, UK, and Canada, the number goes up to more than 50 percent. Moreover, iOS apps in the Apple App Store generate more revenue than any other mobile OS. Therefore, it is safe to assume that iOS app development can be a viable option. You can create an iOS app for your own business or start an iOS app development company.
What is the latest iOS version available for users?
The iOS 17 range is the newest for Apple users. As of December 2023, iOS version 17.2.1 is the latest one available for users to download. iPhone users can navigate to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest software version update on their devices. Users can also turn on the Automatic Updates feature to always keep their phone updated without having to manually install the latest software versions.
How to create responsive iOS applications?
To create responsive iOS applications, you must use the latest technologies of iOS app development. For custom iOS app development, you can use Apple’s official IDE – Xcode. Programming languages like Swift and Objective-C are commonly used to develop iOS apps. However, if you want to create native iOS apps without coding, you can go with AppMySite. Here, you can design and build premium and feature-rich iOS apps within minutes.
