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Apple's iOS 17 update brings notable improvements to communications with exciting new features in the Phone and FaceTime apps. In the Phone app, you can now create contact posters to customize the look of your calls. FaceTime is also being enhanced to offer video messaging and the ability to answer calls on Apple TV.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn all about the exciting new features in the Phone and FaceTime apps in iOS 17 and how to get the most out of them.
phone
- Contact posters: The Phone app is getting a new feature that allows you to create contact posters. These posters can be customized and will appear when calls come in instead of the usual default display. You can choose from different options such as photos, Memojis or initials and adjust the font size and colors to make your poster unique. The contact posters can be automatically shared with your contacts or you can decide who you let see them to maintain your privacy.
- Redesigned Contacts app: To accommodate the contact posters, the Contacts app has also been redesigned. When you tap on a contact, the contact poster now takes up a larger portion of the screen and gives your contacts a personal touch.
- Live Voicemail: An exciting new feature in the Phone app is Live Voicemail. This feature allows the iPhone to transcribe a voicemail as you leave it, so you can see the contents of the voicemail on the lock screen. This helps you identify important calls faster and minimize missed calls.
- Updated call log: A small but useful update to the call log now shows whether a missed call resulted in a voicemail. This lets you see whether a message was left directly in the Notes interface.
- Dual SIM upgrades: Dual SIM users now have even more options. You can create a separate ringtone for each SIM card and choose which SIM card to use when receiving calls from unknown numbers. Incoming messages can be sorted by SIM card to keep track of everything.
FaceTime
- Video and audio messages: With iOS 17, you can not only make calls in FaceTime but also leave video or audio messages if the person you are talking to is unavailable. If you have started a FaceTime video call, you can leave a video message, while an audio message is possible during a FaceTime audio call. The ability to save video messages to the camera roll offers additional flexibility.
- FaceTime Reactions: FaceTime gets more lively and interactive with the introduction of FaceTime Reactions. You can now use simple gestures like a heart, thumbs up, or one-handed peace sign to trigger special effects during the video call, including hearts, balloons, fireworks, and more. Reactions can also be supported by third-party apps, providing even more opportunities for fun and expression.
- FaceTime on Apple TV: The integration of FaceTime on Apple TV opens up new communication possibilities. With iOS 17 and tvOS 17, you can use FaceTime on the Apple TV. To do this, you need an iPhone with iOS 17 or an iPad with iPadOS 17, which serves as a camera, since the Apple TV itself does not have a camera. You can start a FaceTime call on the Apple TV and forward it to the iPhone or iPad and vice versa. This enables communication with a larger screen and expanded options for video calls.
Phone and FaceTime apps benefit from iOS 17
The iOS 17 update brings exciting improvements to communication with numerous new features in the Phone and FaceTime apps. The ability to create personalized contact posters gives your calls a personalized touch, while Live Voicemail makes it easier to quickly identify important calls. Video and audio messages in FaceTime let you communicate even when calls go unanswered, and FaceTime Reactions bring a new level of expression to your video calls. The integration of FaceTime on Apple TV also opens up exciting possibilities for communicating on a larger screen. Use these new features in iOS 17 to improve your communication and get the most out of your Apple device. Are you looking for new accessories? Then take a look in our Amazon Storefront - there you will find numerous products from leading suppliers, also for HomeKit and Co.! (Photo by Anna_Os / Bigstockphoto)
