Apple recently released the first beta of iOS 17.2, which includes a range of new features and changes. This update is expected to be available to the general public before the end of the year.

The iOS 17.2 update boasts several new features, including the new Journal app, which allows users to record their daily activities and thoughts. Here are some more new features included in iOS 17.2.

5 new features of iOS 17.2

1) Journal App

The most significant update to iOS 17.2 is Apple’s new Journal app, which the company previewed when introducing iOS 17 at WWDC earlier this year. The Journal app will allow iPhone users to reflect on their day and memories using personalized suggestions based on recent on-device activity. Users can add text, photos, music, audio recordings, and more to their journal entries.

2) Apple Music Updates

Apple Music is getting quite a few updates in iOS 17.2. First up is a new Focus filter for Apple Music listening history. This feature allows users to turn off their Apple Music Listening History with a new Focus filter, so if someone else borrows their device to listen to music, their song choices won’t affect the user’s recommendations. No more having your playlist recommendations filled with Taylor Swift because your daughter borrowed your iPhone!

iOS 17.2 will also create a playlist for all songs that you favourite, which is a feature I use on Spotify and I am glad it’s coming to Apple Music. Finally, you can add, reorder, and remove songs in a shared playlist with the new Collaborative Playlists feature.

3) Translate Option for Action Button

With iOS 17.2, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max’s Action button can be programmed to activate the Translate app for quick access to language translation. This adds to the current set of options which are silencing the ringer, launching the camera app, flashlight and Voice Memos, and more.

I do wish that Apple allows more customizations for the Action button such as double pressing it or holding it down for a long time. And when it does that, give us the option to remove the lock screen shortcut buttons so I don’t accidentally turn on the flashlight or the camera app- it happens more often than I’d like to admit.

4) iMessage Updates

In iOS 17.2, you can react to a message more quickly by tapping “Add Sticker” in the Tapback menu in the Messages app. This feature allows me to respond with any sticker of your choice.

Also new is iMessage Contact Key Verification, which provides an additional layer of security for journalists, human rights activists, and government officials. The feature allows users to verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend.

5) More customizations to Memoji

Apple is introducing a new “Body” section for Memoji, allowing users to customize their Memoji’s waist, bust, shoulders, and arms. This feature adds more personalization options available for Memoji characters- something Apple seems to be setting up for their Mixed Realy headset, Apple Vision Pro.

There are many more features in iOS 17.2, such as support for new Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets as well s rainbow coloured text for your Contact Poster. All of these will make iOS 17.2 an excellent update. Let me know which feature are you most excited about in the comments below.

Abbas Jaffar Ali
Abbas Jaffar Ali

Abbas has been covering tech for more than two decades- before phones became smart or clouds stored data. He brought publications like CNET, TechRadar and IGN to the Middle East.

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