
As the dust settles on a jam-packed WWDC 2023 event, it's time to reflect on some of the new features coming to Apple devices. In particular, the iOS 17 update showed off a host of new goodies for iPhone users.
There was a lot to unpack from the event itself, with all-new features and useful updates to old ones, too. Here are five of the best which I'm really looking forward to.
1. Contact Posters
Contact posters is a new feature which allows users to set up a consistent appearance for their contact information. Users can select the photo, font and colour which appears when they make a call, allowing you to take full control of how you appear on another device.
The same functionality is used in the contact card, too. Plus, third-party calling apps will be able to integrate the functionality into their offerings, which should hopefully make it useful across different devices.
2. Check In
If you've ever had to walk home late at night, you'll know it can be a particularly unnerving experience. Check In is a new feature designed to help with that.
Within the Messages app, users can share a Check In tile with friends and family. The app will use your location data to determine roughly when you should arrive home, and automatically update the other party when you arrive safe.
If you aren't making progress towards your destination, the app will prompt you to add more time if needed. And, if you don't respond, the other person will be notified, getting access to critical information like your location, the route you took, your battery and signal level.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
That should be really beneficial for users, who could enjoy better peace of mind. Should anything untoward happen, the shared data could provide crucial information about your whereabouts.
3. NameDrop and AirDrop updates
This section is going to cover a few cool features, but they all centre around a new way to share. Let's start with NameDrop, which is a new way to share your contact information with someone.
Simply bring the two devices together, and tap share. Your contact poster will land on the other device, along with any selection of phone numbers and email addresses you've chosen to share. It even works with an iPhone and an Apple Watch.
The same idea can be used in AirDrop, too. Bring two devices together and AirDrop will pop up, allowing you to share with ease. Plus, if you start and AirDrop but have to leave, the full-sized file will continue to send via the internet, making it easier than ever to share large files.
4. StandBy
StandBy is a new feature which will allow your iPhone to display information when attached horizontally to a MagSafe stand. The display can show the time, a collection of photos, or even widget stacks, to bring useful information to the display.
It will even be able to tell which stand it's attached to and remember your preference. For example, when you stand it at your desk, you might prefer your schedule and a calendar to appear, but in the kitchen, the time and weather.
5. AirTag sharing
This one wasn't mentioned directly in the presentation, but it cropped up on the final image and in Apple's subsequent press release. Devices tracked with an AirTag can now be seen by up to five other people.
That's a great upgrade, which will allow multiple users to keep an eye on something in the Find My app. That will be really handy for shared items, where multiple users might need to find the same item.
Sam is an award-winning journalist with over six years of experience across print and digital media. As T3’s Senior Staff Writer, Sam covers everything from new phones and EVs to luxury watches and fragrances. Working across a range of different social media platforms alongside his written work, Sam is a familiar face for fans of T3. When he’s not reviewing snazzy products or hunting for stellar deals, Sam enjoys football, analog photography and writing music.
-
This Traeger grill has dual-zone cooking and an improved smaller size
Traeger adds a smaller, two-zone grill to its Flatrock griddle line-up
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
AirPods Max finally get the great free upgrade Apple promised
Here's how to make sure your headphones are running the right firmware
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
AirPods Max finally get the great free upgrade Apple promised
Here's how to make sure your headphones are running the right firmware
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Apple TV gets a free update that makes it more simple to use
Apple has released tvOS 18.4 with a few design tweaks for its TV boxes
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Your iPhone gets some new tricks - here’s what it can do now
The new emojis and priority notifications are probably our favourite
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Older iPhones at risk of being left behind when iOS 19 arrives – is your device one of them?
Apple will reportedly drop three iPhone models when it comes to the iOS 19 update
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Your next MacBook Pro could be a game-changer for three good reasons
Apple will reportedly upgrade next year's MacBook Pro in three major ways
By Rik Henderson Published
-
M5 iPad Pro on schedule for release this year, claims expert
Apple's best tablet is reportedly getting even more power in late 2025
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
New evidence suggests Apple's taking its foldable iPhone seriously
And it might bring something different to the party too
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
iOS 19's new design leaks straight after WWDC 25 announcement
This could be a significant change
By Sam Cross Published