Apple has released the highly anticipated iOS 17.2 update, packed with exciting new features and improvements. The update introduces the new Journal app, allowing users to record their daily activities and thoughts with optional prompts for inspiration. Additionally, there are sticker reactions in the Messages app, spatial video recording for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and a Favorites playlist in Apple Music. iOS 17.2 also brings enhancements to the keyboard, iMessage, FaceTime, and more. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into all the exciting features and updates that iOS 17.2 has to offer.
Journal App
iOS 17.2 introduces the Journal app that Apple announced as part of iOS 17. With the Journal app, users can record their daily activities and thoughts, with Apple providing optional prompts that can be used as inspiration.
Journal entries can be added by tapping on the “+” button in the Journal app, and from there, users can choose a suggestion as the basis for their writing or just opt for “New Entry” to write anything at all.
Entries are automatically tagged with a date for organizational purposes, but there are options for bookmarking, too. Journal entries can include images, voice recordings, and location tags.
Messages App Sticker Reactions
You can long press on any chat bubble in the Messages app to add a sticker response that serves as an alternative to a tapback reaction. Tapping on “Add Sticker” lets you choose either a sticker or an emoji to apply to the corner of an iMessage.
There was already an option to drag a sticker or an emoji onto any message bubble, but this is a much quicker method of quickly responding to an incoming message with a quick graphic that is more expressive than a tapback reaction.
Spatial Video Recording
With iOS 17.2, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are able to record spatial video that will be viewable in the Photos app on the Vision Pro headset that’s coming out next year.
Spatial video recording can be enabled by going to the Settings app, tapping into the Camera section, selecting Formats, and toggling on “Spatial Video for Apple Vision Pro.” Apple says that for best results when recording spatial video, the iPhone should be held stable in landscape orientation while capturing video. Video is recorded at 30 frames per second at 1080p, and one minute of video takes up 130MB of storage space.
When spatial videos captured with an iPhone are viewed on the iPhone, they appear as normal videos. Viewing the video in 3D requires the Vision Pro headset.
Improved Telephoto Focusing Speed
On the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the Telephoto camera now focuses faster when capturing small, faraway objects.
Favorites Apple Music Playlist
Songs that you have favorited in the Apple Music app are now automatically aggregated into a Favorites playlist.
Apple Music Favorite Songs
In the Music section of the Settings app, there is an option to add songs to your Music Library when they are favorited. The feature is toggled on by default, but it can be turned off if desired.
The option to “Favorite” songs was first added in iOS 17.1.
Apple Music Listening History Focus Filter
Apple added a Focus Filter for the Apple Music Listening History feature, so if you want to let someone else use your device to listen to music, you can activate this to turn off the Listening History so their song choices won’t affect your recommendations.
Action Button Translate
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can now choose a new Translate option for the Action button.
When the Action button is set as Translate, pressing to hold causes the iPhone to pop up a Translate window that listens for spoken text. It is able to translate from one set language to another, using the languages that you have previously set up in the Translate app.
Keyboard
Apple added an option to disable inline predictions when typing. It can be accessed by opening up the Settings app, choosing General, going to Keyboard, and scrolling down to the “Show Predictions Inline” option.
There are also new keyboard layouts for eight Sámi languages.
AirDrop
AirDrop now supports the sharing of boarding passes, movie tickets, and other eligible Wallet app passes by bringing two iPhones next to one another and following the “Share” prompts.
Conclusion
With the release of iOS 17.2, Apple has introduced several new features and enhancements that improve the user experience and expand the functionality of the iPhone. From the new Journal app and Messages app sticker reactions to the improved telephoto focusing speed and Favorites Apple Music playlist, iOS 17.2 offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a music lover, or simply looking to personalize your device, these new features are sure to enhance your daily iPhone usage. So go ahead and update to iOS 17.2 to take advantage of these exciting new features and improvements.
