Apple users around the world are eagerly anticipating the release of iOS 17, which promises to bring exciting new features and enhancements to the popular mobile operating system. While Apple has yet to release any official information about iOS 17, rumors and reports have been circulating, giving us an idea of what we can expect from the upcoming update.
One of the most significant changes that iOS 17 may bring is the ability to sideload apps. This change is in response to EU regulations, which require Apple to allow developers to work around paying fees of up to 30% to the company for app distribution through the App Store. If implemented, the ability to sideload apps will give users more options for accessing and downloading apps, potentially leading to greater competition and innovation on the App Store.
Another potential change with iOS 17 is the ability for third-party browsers to use rendering engines other than WebKit, which is currently required for all third-party browsers on iOS. This change could lead to greater feature differentiation among browsers on the App Store, giving users more choices for browsing the internet on their Apple devices.
iOS 17 may also include support for Apple’s long-awaited mixed-reality headset, which is expected to launch this year. This could mean that we will see some headset-specific features on iOS 17, as well as the launch of an App Store dedicated to mixed-reality content.
In addition to these potential changes, iOS 17 is expected to feature updates to CarPlay, which will be more deeply integrated with vehicles. The first vehicles with next-gen CarPlay integration are set to arrive in 2023, and support for it will likely be built into iOS 17.
While Apple typically introduces the first developer beta of new iOS versions in June each year, iOS 17 is expected to follow this pattern, with the first stable version becoming available with the launch of the iPhone 15 series in September. iOS 17 is expected to be compatible with a wide range of devices, including the iPhone XS and XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max, as well as the upcoming iPhone 14 series.
While iOS 17 may not bring as many changes as its predecessor, it still promises to be an exciting update. With the potential for sideloading apps, greater feature differentiation among browsers on the App Store, support for Apple’s mixed-reality headset, and updates to CarPlay, there’s plenty to look forward to in the upcoming iOS 17 update.