5 new features in iOS 17 were available on Android a long time ago
Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 17, is set to be released in the latter half of the year and will be compatible with iPhones released from 2018 onwards. During the WWDC 2023 event, Apple unveiled the new features and updates that iOS 17 will bring. The stable version of iOS 17 will be launched in September. It will coincide with the release of the highly anticipated iPhone 15.
As part of our annual tradition, we have carefully examined Apple's announced improvements for iOS 17 and compared them to the features already present in Google's operating system. Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive list of iOS 17 features that have counterparts in Android.
One of the noteworthy additions in iOS 17 is a new mode called "Standby". This mode activates when you place your iPhone horizontally on a wireless charger at night. By doing so, your iPhone can transform into an Amazon Echo-like device. You can customize it with various types of clock faces, digital or analog, and use it as an alarm clock. Moreover, you can use compatible iOS widgets such as weather or smart home controls.
This particular feature has been available on Google Pixel devices for quite some time. If you place your Pixel upright on its second-generation wireless charging base, it displays a screen with a Google Photos frame, a media player, home automation controls, and a shortcut to the Google Assistant, among other options.
In a surprising move, iOS 17 introduces the ability to download maps for offline use in Apple Maps. It may come as a shock, but this functionality has long been present in Google Maps since 2012. The same year Apple Maps made its debut on the iPhone.
Another significant improvement in iOS 17 relates to calls and is "Live Voicemail." With this feature, you can view real-time transcriptions of voice messages during a call and decide whether to answer the call or not. These transcriptions are processed on the device itself to ensure user privacy. Calls identified as spam by operators are automatically rejected and won't appear in the Live Voicemail section.
This mirrors the functionality of the "Call Screen" feature on Google Pixel devices, which has been available since 2019. The Google Assistant answers the call on your behalf, requests the caller's identity, and presents you with a transcription of their response. Based on this information, you can decide whether to accept the call or not.
Starting with iOS 17, Facetime users will be able to leave audio or video messages when the recipient is unavailable. This feature was already present in Google Duo, a now-defunct video calling app, since 2018. If someone didn't answer a video call on Google Duo, you had the option to leave a 30-second video message explaining the purpose of your call.
Furthermore, Apple has made improvements to its personal assistant, Siri, in iOS 17. Now, you can activate Siri simply by saying "Siri" instead of "Hey Siri." Once activated, you can give Siri consecutive commands without having to reawaken it. These functionalities have been available in the Google Assistant for approximately four years. In fact, Google takes it a step further by allowing users to create custom quick phrases for frequently used commands. Such as setting a timer or turning off an alarm. This eliminates the need to say "OK Google" every time.
In conclusion, iOS 17 brings several new features and improvements to Apple's mobile operating system. While some of these features may seem innovative to iOS users, they have already been present in Google's Android ecosystem for quite some time. The constant competition between Apple and Google drives both companies to enhance their operating systems and offer users a more seamless and feature-rich experience.