Discover the exciting new features of iOS 17

Discover the exciting new features of iOS 17

Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 17, brings a host of new features to enhance the things you do every day. From new ways to express yourself when calling or messaging someone to convenient new ways to share content, iOS 17 offers new experiences for your iPhone. The company made the announcements at WWDC 2023 where it introduced other innovations.

new iOS 17 plus bottom in iMessage feature

One of the most exciting updates is the new plus button in iMessage. This button allows you to view all the things you send the most, such as photos, audio messages, and your location. You can also swipe up to view the rest of your iMessage apps. Additionally, there is a new catch-up arrow that lets you jump to the first message you haven’t seen in a conversation and you can now swipe to the right on any message to send a reply.

Another great feature is the ability to share your location or request a friend’s location from the plus button. When someone shares their location with you, you can view it directly within your conversation. Audio messages are now transcribed so you can read them in the moment and listen later.

new iOS 17 features announced at WWDC 2023 for apple iphone users

The new stickers drawer lets you access all your Live Stickers, emoji, Memoji, and other sticker packs in one place. Your stickers sync with iCloud so they are available on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. You can use Markup to add stickers to photos, documents, screenshots, and more.

There are also updates to FaceTime. You can now record a video or audio message when someone misses your FaceTime call. Additionally, there is a new reaction feature that fills the camera frame with fun 3D augmented reality effects like hearts, confetti, fireworks, and more.

One of the new features in iOS 17 is the Smart Home Lock Screen. This feature allows users to control their smart home devices directly from their iPhone’s lock screen. The Control Center has also been updated to provide quick access to frequently used controls and settings.

Another new feature is Live Activities. This feature allows users to stay on top of things happening in real-time. Active Widgets are another addition to iOS 17, providing users with glanceable information and quick actions for their most frequently used apps.

NameDrop is a new feature in iOS 17 that allows you to share your contact information with someone else by holding your iPhone near their iPhone or Apple Watch. You can choose which phone numbers or email addresses you want to share and can also share your Contact Poster instantly. This feature makes it easy to exchange contact information with someone you’ve just met.

NameDrop new iOS17 feature

The Health App has also received updates in iOS 17. Users can now track new types of data and receive personalized insights and recommendations to improve their health and well-being. Apple Music has also been updated with new customization options, allowing users to personalize their listening experience even further.

These are just some of the many new features in iOS 17. Here are the compatible iPhones that can upgrade to the new OS.

iPhones compatible with iOS 17

  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

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10 new things announced at WWDC 2023 for developers

10 new things announced at WWDC 2023 for developers

Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2023 was jam-packed with exciting announcements for developers. Announcing a series of major and minor innovations at one of the most anticipated events in the tech industry.

Apple introduces a new Apple Vision Pro device as it ventures into the spatial computing world. New 15‑inch MacBook Air with M2, Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra, and Mac Pro with M2 Ultra. There are now previews of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and watchOS 10. But that’s not all there are more improvements to make your everyday living comfortable, productive, and easy. Watch the video below for a quick tour of the new improvements and read on for more.

Here are 10 new things that were announced at WWDC 2023 for developers

iOS 17

new iOS17 features announced at WWDC 2023 for developers and apple users

Apple showed off a heap of new functionality coming to iOS 17 during this year’s installment of its annual developer conference. Here are some of the features:

Smarter ‘transformer’ word prediction model: iOS 17 introduces a smarter new ‘transformer’ word prediction model, with sentence-level autocorrection and improvements for the language model used for voice dictation.

New contact cards: As part of iOS 17, Apple has extended the same thinking to contact cards. As well as a bold full-screen image, when a contact calls, you’ll also get a depth-mapped caller name, and the ability to customize both the image and the font size and color.

Live voicemail: iOS 17 looks to take the experience of managing your voicemails even further, with live voicemail displaying a real-time transcript of the message that’s being left.

FaceTime messages: A small addition, but iOS 17 will let you leave FaceTime video messages, should whoever you’re calling be unable to pick up.

New functionality to Messages: iOS 17 looks to be bringing a sizable suit of new functionality to Messages, from search filters and inline replies to more easily navigate your chats, to inline location sharing.

Apple Vision Pro headset on display at WWDC 2023

Vision Pro VR headset

An Apple-branded augmented reality/virtual reality has been rumored for years and years, but it’s finally here. The final part of the WWDC keynote was dedicated to the Vision Pro AR headset.

15-inch MacBook Air

Apple announces a new 15-inch MacBook Air at WWDC 2023. The 15‑inch laptop comes with a Liquid Retina display and is powered by the M2 chip, with up to 18 hours of battery life.

New Mac Studio and Mac Pro

Apple also announced the new Mac operating system macOS Sonoma with widgets and game mode. The new Mac Studio comes with M2 Max and the new M2 Ultra, whilst the Mac Pro features M2 Ultra and PCIe expansion.

Journal app

Apple announces a new Journal app at WWDC 2023 that will be coming later this year. The Journal app will make personalized suggestions of moments for you to remember and write about. Using on-device machine learning based on your photos, music, workouts, and more.

These are just some of the exciting new things that were announced at WWDC 2023 for developers. The week-long event will feature other technical sessions, hands-on labs, and networking opportunities for developers from around the world.

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WWDC 2023: Apple’s latest innovations and updates for developers

WWDC 2023: Apple’s latest innovations and updates for developers

The annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is one of the most anticipated events in the tech industry, where Apple showcases its latest innovations and updates for its software platforms and developer tools. This year, WWDC 2023 will take place from June 5 to June 9 at the San Jose Convention Center in California and will feature a keynote presentation, technical sessions, hands-on labs, and networking opportunities for developers from around the world.

wwdc 2023 wwdc23 event invitation logo

Here are some of the highlights that attendees can look forward to this year at WWDC 2023:

iOS 17

The next major version of Apple’s mobile operating system will introduce new features and improvements for iPhone and iPad users, such as a redesigned home screen with widgets and app library, a revamped notification system with focus modes and summary, a universal control feature that lets you use a single mouse and keyboard across multiple devices, and enhanced privacy and security options with iCloud Private Relay and App Privacy Report.

macOS 12.5

The latest update for Apple’s desktop operating system will bring more continuity and compatibility with iOS devices, such as AirPlay to Mac, which lets you stream audio and video from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac, and Shortcuts for Mac, which lets you automate tasks with Siri or the Shortcuts app. macOS 12.5 will also include new features for Safari, such as tab groups and extensions on the App Store, and new features for FaceTime, such as SharePlay and spatial audio.

watchOS 8

The next version of Apple’s wearable operating system will offer more health and fitness features for Apple Watch users, such as a new Mindfulness app that helps you relax and focus with breathing exercises and reflections, a new Sleep app that tracks your respiratory rate and trends over time, and new workout types such as Tai Chi and Pilates. watchOS 8 will also support new watch faces and complications, such as a portrait face that uses your photos and a world time face that shows multiple time zones.

tvOS 15

The next update for Apple’s TV operating system will enhance the entertainment experience for Apple TV users, such as a new For All of You row that suggests shows and movies based on the preferences of everyone in your household, a new Shared with You row that shows content that your friends and family have shared with you via Messages or Mail, and a new HomeKit integration that lets you control your smart home devices from your TV screen.

iPadOS 15

The next major version of Apple’s tablet operating system will bring more productivity and creativity features for iPad users, such as a multitasking menu that lets you easily switch between split view and slide-over modes, a quick note feature that lets you jot down notes from any app with an Apple Pencil or keyboard shortcut, and a translate app that lets you translate text and speech in real-time. iPadOS 15 will also support new features for Safari, such as tab groups and extensions on the App Store, and new features for FaceTime, such as SharePlay and spatial audio.

Swift 6

The next version of Apple’s programming language will introduce new features and improvements for developers, such as async/await syntax that simplifies writing asynchronous code, actors that provide concurrency safety for shared mutable state, property wrappers that let you define custom behaviors for properties, and result builders that let you create DSLs with natural syntax.

Xcode 13

The next version of Apple’s integrated development environment will offer more tools and capabilities for developers, such as Xcode Cloud, which lets you build, test, and deliver apps in the cloud with continuous integration and delivery services, Swift Playgrounds 4, which lets you create full-fledged apps on your iPad with live previews and code completion, and TestFlight for Mac, which lets you beta test your Mac apps with feedback and analytics.

These are just some of the exciting things that attendees can look forward to this year at WWDC 2023. If you want to learn more about the event or register for it, visit the official website at https://developer.apple.com/wwdc23/.

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Developer Cloud Summit 2022: Middle East & Africa

Developer Cloud Summit 2022: Middle East & Africa

Microsoft is announcing the Developer Cloud Summit: Middle East and Africa 2022 technical conference scheduled to take place March 30, 2022. At 12 PM – 16:30 PM (GMT+4). The event will bring together speakers from across Microsoft, GitHub and the developer community. Where it will provide deep-dive learning opportunities and hands-on experience on trending and innovative platforms in the cloud.

Developer Cloud Summit

The Developer Cloud Summit topics include Cloud Native futures, AI-based applications, Remote DevOps practices, Rapid Innovation methodology and best practices on modernizing legacy .Net & Java applications with new cloud capabilities. Learn about app migration and modernization, low code apps, coding in the cloud, GitHub Copilot and many more. There will also be a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the .Net platform.

Stormy Peters, VP of Communities GitHub will talk about “lessons we learned working with Open Source at Microsoft”. Whilst Jeff Hollan, Director of Product, Azure Apps, Microsoft, will dive into “build scalable apps faster than ever before”. Other speakers include Adir Ron, Cloud Application & Innovation, Middle East & Africa, Microsoft.

Microsoft says that an ecosystem of developers, innovators and open-source communities are teaming up to build together the future of technology in the current Cloud-Native era.

Click to visit the Cloud Summit: Middle East & Africa 2022 technical conference page for more details and to register.

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Microsoft to train 10K software developers in South Africa

Microsoft to train 10K software developers in South Africa

Microsoft is committing to training ten thousand software developers in South Africa by the end of 2022. By giving them an opportunity to learn new and modern skills as well as access to the latest technologies. This is in an effort to help in building the local software developer community in the country.

Microsoft will through skilling programs and initiatives upskill developers so that they can add value within informal developer communities as well as across commercial and corporate environments.

At Microsoft, we understand the power of community says Lillian Barnard, General Manager at Microsoft South Africa. “And appreciate the value these shared spaces can bring to employees, businesses, and, ultimately, the world“, she adds.

developer in south africa

Lillian notes that when organizations like Microsoft work together with developer communities to overcome skills gaps the result is creativity and more innovation. Developers with access to the latest technologies and skills result in an acceleration of the digital transformation of businesses.

When we build thriving developer communities, …, we also create innovations that have a societal impact and that have the potential to change lives.” 

Lillian Barnard, Microsoft South Africa MD

Microsoft didn’t throw light on how or who it will partner with to execute this project. However, in previous campaigns, it has worked with developer communities such as the Andela Learning Community, Geekulcha, and other groups.

Last year, Microsoft trained three thousand developers in Gauteng, South Africa to drive youth employability.

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