iPadOS 17 Comes With Redesigned Lock Screen, Interactive Widgets & More
Apple has just unveiled iPadOS 17, bringing new levels of personalization and versatility to iPad users at last. The update introduces a redesigned Lock Screen, interactive widgets, intelligent features for working with PDFs and Notes, updates to Messages, FaceTime, and Safari, and the all-new Health app. The update will be available for developers today with public release arriving as a free software update this fall.
Highlighted Features in iPadOS 17
Redesigned Lock Screen: Users can customize the Lock Screen with their favorite images, dynamic photo sets, or Live Photos. They can choose wallpapers from the Lock Screen gallery, select font styles and colors, or create unique designs with emojis and color combinations. Live Activities provide real-time updates on sports games, travel plans, or food delivery orders.
Interactive Widgets: Interactive widgets on the Lock Screen and Home Screen allow users to perform tasks with a tap. Users can control smart devices, play music, or mark reminders as complete directly from a widget. Developers can build interactivity into their widgets with the updated WidgetKit, which means that we should be expecting more widgets to arrive soon both for iPadOS 17 as well as iOS 17.
Health App: The Health app comes to iPad, offering users a detailed view of their health data. Interactive charts, Trends, and Highlights provide insights, while users can track medications, utilize Cycle Tracking, log emotions and moods, access health records, and more. HealthKit on iPad allows developers to create innovative health and fitness experiences.
PDF files: iPadOS 17 uses machine learning to identify fields in PDFs, making it easier to add details from Contacts such as names, addresses, and emails. The Notes app offers a new PDF experience with full-width viewing, annotation capabilities, and Apple Pencil support for sketching. Live collaboration allows users to share and edit PDFs in real-time.
Messages: Messages introduces a stickers experience with emoji stickers and the ability to create Live Stickers from personal photos. A new drawer gathers all stickers in one place, and an expandable menu provides easy access to frequently used iMessage apps. Improved search features and inline message replies simplify communication.
FaceTime: FaceTime now allows users to leave audio and video messages when a call goes unanswered. Reactions with various effects such as hearts, balloons, and fireworks add fun and expressiveness to FaceTime calls. Apple TV 4K integration extends FaceTime to the big screen, and Center Stage ensures perfect framing during video calls.
Safari: Safari introduces Profiles, enabling users to keep separate browsing histories, cookies, Tab Groups, and Favorites for different topics. Private Browsing adds an extra layer of security with Face ID or Touch ID locking. The search experience is improved with increased responsiveness and relevant suggestions.
Other Updates
Stage Manager enhances window positioning and size flexibility, Freeform offers new drawing tools and collaboration features, Spotlight offers shortcuts and improved visual results, Visual Look Up expands recognition capabilities, Keyboard improves autocorrect and predictive text, and Siri activation is simplified. Privacy updates, new accessibility tools, Reminders improvements, offline Maps, and more round out the feature set.
Image Credit: Apple, Inc.
Availability & Supported Devices
The developer beta of iPadOS 17 is available today for all Apple Developer Program members. A public beta will be available to iPadOS users next month at beta.apple.com. Public release will be available this fall as a free software update for the following devices:
iPad (6th generation and later)
iPad mini (5th generation and later)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation and later)
10.5-inch iPad Pro
11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later).
