iOS 17.2 out now with Journal app, new Action button function, Messages updates, and more
Apple has released iOS 17.2, launching a new Journal app for iPhone, adding a new function to the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, introducing updates to Messages and Camera, and more.
Alongside new updates, iOS 17.2 brings with it bug fixes and improvements, including AirDrop improvements including expanded contact sharing options and the ability to share boarding passes, movie tickets, and other eligible passes by bringing two iPhones together, Qi2 charger support for all iPhone 13 models and iPhone 14 models, and Enhanced AutoFill identifies fields in PDFs and other forms.
The star of iOS 17.2 is Apple’s all-new Journal app. This app serves as a comprehensive digital journaling tool designed to help users capture and reflect on their daily experiences. It offers prompts and suggestions for journal entries based on various activities, such as outings, workouts, and media usage, reducing the challenge of starting with a blank page.
Users can incorporate photos, videos, audio recordings, and locations into their entries to add depth and context. The app allows users to browse, filter, and revisit past entries, creating a personalized timeline of significant moments. Additionally, the app encourages consistent journaling habits by providing scheduling options and notifications for new suggestions.
With iOS 17.2, the Action button introduces a translate option, allowing users to swiftly translate phrases or engage in multilingual conversations. Additionally, the Camera upgrades include spatial video capabilities, offering a three-dimensional experience to relive captured memories. Moreover, focusing speed for the telephoto camera has been improved, enhancing the ability to capture small, distant objects more efficiently.
In the Messages app, several enhancements aim to streamline user experience. The introduction of the catch-up arrow facilitates easy navigation to the first unread message within a conversation. Users can now directly add stickers to message bubbles through the context menu, while Memoji updates bring the flexibility to adjust body shapes. Notably, the Contact Key Verification feature enhances security by providing automatic alerts and verification codes, particularly beneficial for individuals facing significant digital threats.
Furthermore, Weather updates bring valuable information to users’ fingertips. Enhanced precipitation details over the next ten days help individuals plan around rain and snow conditions. The addition of new widgets provides a range of options, including next-hour precipitation, daily forecast, sunrise and sunset times, Air Quality, Feels Like, and wind speed. Additionally, the wind map snapshot aids in quickly assessing wind patterns, offering insights into forecasted conditions for the next 24 hours. Lastly, an interactive moon calendar simplifies visualizing the moon’s phases for any upcoming date within the next month.