Apple Releases iOS/iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, tvOS17

Apple’s iOS 17 is full of new features for iPhone users.

In the Phone app, you can now create a custom contact poster with a photo or emoji. That will be shown on the other person’s phone screen during a call.

Live Voicemail will show a transcription of the voicemail being left on your phone so you can decide whether you want to talk to the person.

You can now also leave a video message if someone doesn’t answer a FaceTime call.

Messages is also introducing a better way to search for something specific with Message filters. You can also view voice message transcriptions.

A Check In feature will allow you to automatically check in with another person to let them know that you’ve made it home safely. They can also see if something has happened when you are on the way home.

StandBy will turn an iPhone into a full-screen experience when placed on a nightstand in horizontal orientation while charging. You can see information like the time and alarm and also personalize what is shown on the screen with widgets and more. You can also see a dynamic photo slideshow.

Speaking of widgets, home screen widgets can now be interactive where you can do things like turn off lights or check off a reminder. Previously, just pressing a widget would open up the corresponding app.

To see a comprehensive list of changes, you can view this PDF from Apple.

You can download the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.

The update is compatible with the iPhone XR and later and the second-generation iPhone SE.

iPadOS 17 offers many of the same features found in iOS 17 along with some unique additions. The highlights include Lock Screen widgets like the iPhone and a Health app.

Download iPadOS 17 by going to to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPad.

The update is compatible with the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation and later), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).

Find all of the iPadOS additions here.

Apple Watch owners can now download the latest version of software for their device, watchOS 10.

With any watch face, just turn the Digital Crown to see a Smart Stack of different widgets. You can see information that you select. It also adapts the user’s context. For example, when traveling, the Smart Stack will show boarding passes from the Wallet.

A number of Apple’s stock apps have been redesigned like Weather and Maps to take advantage of the larger screen of modern Apple Watch models. Third-party apps can also make use of the new design language. You can now also press the Side Button to open Control Center.

The update also brings three new watch faces. Palette will show time a wide variety of colors that shift with the time change. There is also a new face with comic characters Snoopy and Woodstock. Solar Analog will show the light and shadow shift throughout the day.

The new software also adds a number of features for cyclists with additional metrics and more. When starting a cycling workout on the Apple Watch, it will automatically start a Live Activity on your iPhone. The watch can also automatically connect to Bluetooth-enable cycling accessories.

The update can be downloaded now through the companion Watch app on your iPhone by heading to General > Software Update in the My Watch portion of the app. You can also go to Settings > General > Software Update on an Apple Watch.

Your watch needs to have more than 50 percent power and connected to a charger. Like most Apple Watch updates, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete, so be patient.

It’s compatible with the Apple Watch Series 4 and later.

And your Apple TV can now be upgraded to tvOS 17.

For the first time, you can now FaceTime on the big screen. Use the FaceTime app on the Apple TV or start a call on your iPhone or iPad and then hand it off to the TV. With Continuity Camera, you can use the camera and microphone of your iPhone or iPad.

The Continuity Camera feature will also be available for Apple Music Sing so you can see your self on screen while signing.

There is also a redesigned Control Center so you can quickly view system status and other information like HomeKit camera feeds. Anyone with a Siri Remote can now find it with the Apple TV app available Control Center on your iPhone.

An update should automatically be downloaded to an Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K.

If you haven’t already enabled automatic updates, you can download the software by heading to Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software. Right next to the button to update software is the toggle switch to turn on automatic updates.