What’s New in iOS 17.1: Release Highlights

In a recent release, Apple unveiled iOS 17 and watchOS 10, delivering a plethora of exhilarating updates and enhancements for users of their newest iPhones and Apple Watches. However, to the disappointment of many, some of the cool features teased during WWDC23 were missing in the initial release of these OS updates. Some noteworthy features were missing, namely AirDrop capabilities over the internet and upgrades for Apple Music.

Fortunately, Apple has promptly come to the rescue with the release of iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1, which are now accessible to all. These upgrades finally deliver on the eagerly awaited features that had been previously promised, amplifying users’ Apple experiences to new heights.

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iOS 17.1

With the introduction of iOS 17.1, you now have a handy feature that comes to your rescue during an ongoing AirDrop transfer if your iPhone is no longer within close proximity to the other device. Instead of abruptly halting the transfer, iOS will smoothly upload the remaining file(s) to the cloud temporarily, and the recipient’s device will then fetch them through an internet connection.

But that’s not all; iOS 17.1 also comes with a bunch of exciting enhancements for Apple Music enthusiasts. “With our new feature, conveniently mark all your favorite songs, albums, and playlists without any hassle. Plus, you can easily expand your playlists by letting us suggest songs that match the genre or mood. And when creating or editing a playlist, you can now choose from a selection of artwork designs, saving you the trouble of having to make and upload custom images.”

Besides the features I’ve mentioned, iOS 17.1 also comes with some additional changes and fine-tuning. “If you want to delve into all the specifics, feel free to take a look at the official change log which can be found below.”

iOS 17.1 change log:

AirDrop

• Content continues to transfer over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range

Standby

• New options to control when the display turns off (iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max)

Music

• Favorites expanded to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library
• New cover art collection offers designs that change colors to reflect the music in your playlist
• Song suggestions appear at the bottom of every playlist, making it easy to add music that matches the vibe of your playlist

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

• Option to choose a specific album to use with Photo Shuffle on the Lock Screen
• Home key support for Matter locks
• Improved reliability of Screen Time settings syncing across devices
• Fixes an issue that may cause the Significant Location privacy setting to reset when transferring an Apple Watch or pairing it for the first time
• Resolves an issue where the names of incoming callers may not appear when you are on another call
• Addresses an issue where custom and purchased ringtones may not appear as options for your text tone
• Fixes an issue that may cause the keyboard to be less responsive
• Crash detection optimizations (all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models)
• Fixes an issue that may cause display image persistence

watchOS 10.1

Now, turning our attention to watchOS 10.1, this update may not have as many features as its iOS counterpart, but it does bring some welcome additions. One standout addition is the incorporation of NameDrop, a cool function that effortlessly lets you exchange contact info with another Apple Watch or iPhone by simply bringing them near each other.

Additionally, there’s a unique perk for Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 owners in the form of the double-tap feature. With this clever addition, users can now effortlessly perform specific actions by simply double-tapping their index fingers and thumbs on the watch screen. Likely the iOS HyperOS is also launching by Xiaomi.

While these are the highlights, it’s worth mentioning that watchOS 10.1 also places a significant emphasis on fixing various bugs and issues. As a result, it’s advisable for all users to make sure their watches are running this updated version for a smoother and more reliable experience.

Other Apple OS updates

In addition to iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1, Apple also rolled out several other updates today, including iPadOS 17.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, audioOS 17.1, and tvOS 17.1. The iPadOS update closely mirrors the features and improvements seen in the iPhone update, providing a similar set of enhancements and bug fixes. It’s worth noting that this iPad update now supports the newly-announced Apple Pencil with a USB-C connection.

On the other hand, macOS Sonoma 14.1 introduces a new feature in the System Settings app called “Coverage.” This feature enables users to conveniently check the status of their Apple warranty, making it easier to keep track of your device’s warranty information.

Finally, if you’re updating your Apple TV and paired HomePod(s) to OS version 17.1, you’ll now get to use the new “Enhance Dialogue” feature on the HomePod 1 and HomePod Mini. This feature, previously exclusive to the HomePod 2 in audioOS 17, does a neat job of increasing the volume of spoken voices in movies and TV shows. This comes in handy when the background music or effects are drowning out the dialogue.

“Upgrade to the newest OS version for your compatible Apple device with ease. Simply plug it in, access the Settings app, navigate to the General section, click on Software Updates, and get the latest update at your fingertips.”