Apple has today seeded the first developer beta of iOS 17.2, bringing with it the iPhone maker’s all-new Journal app, a new customization option for the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button, and iMessage Contact Key Verification.
After announcing the feature at WWDC23 in June, iOS 17.2 will introduce Apple’s new Journal app. Describing the app, Apple says “Journal is a new way to reflect on and relive special moments. Capture your thoughts on life’s big events or everyday activities. Add details to any entry with photos, music, audio recordings, and more.”
The privacy-focused Journal app will create personalised entry suggestions. Apple says suggestions are curated from recent activity and iPhone usage, and scheduled notifications will help build a user’s journaling habit.
In addition to the Journal app itself, Apple is also including a new Journaling Suggestions API. This feature will allow third-party apps to use the same journaling suggestions that Apple is using for its Journal app.
Image: Apple
With iOS 17.2, Apple is added a new Translate option to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max’s Action button settings. When the Action button is set as Translate, users can hold the button to open a Translate window that listens for spoken text. The iPhone will then translate the spoken language it hears and translates the voice into text for the user.
Announced late last year, Apple says with iMessage Contact Key Verification, “users who face extraordinary digital threats” — such as journalists, human rights activists, and members of government — can choose to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend.