As a long-time iPhone user, I’ve come to appreciate iOS, but there are certain deficiencies. Notably absent are home-screen customization and an app drawer. With WWDC 2023 on the horizon and the potential for iOS 17, I’ve been contemplating what Apple might introduce this year. One feature, in particular, has caught my attention.
iMessage: The Missing Element
Over the years, iMessage has undergone significant evolution. With iOS 16, it received substantial updates, including undo send, message editing, and replies, making it a robust messaging platform and a viable alternative to WhatsApp.
However, one crucial feature is noticeably absent from iMessage’s repertoire: chat lock.
Many messaging apps on iPhone now offer Face ID authentication for user access. WhatsApp, for instance, introduces a feature enabling users to lock individual chats, enhancing security.
Similarly, Telegram allows users to secure the app with Face ID.
The Case for App Locking: Why iMessage Should Follow Suit
Locking apps isn’t a new concept; it’s been prevalent on Android for years. Even iPhone apps have incorporated Touch ID and Face ID locks. Surprisingly, Apple has yet to integrate such a feature into iMessage.
Here are some iPhone apps I use that support Face ID authentication:
It’s not unprecedented. The stock Photos app on iOS now uses Face ID to authenticate a user before opening the Hidden and Recently Deleted folders within the app, so adding this feature to the Messages app shouldn’t be too challenging for the company.
Additionally, the ability to lock chats in iMessage will enhance the app for people who prefer securing their personal conversations. Lock the chats you wish to keep private, and confidently share your iPhone without concerns of unauthorized access.
Other iOS 17 Updates I’m Excited About
Active Widgets
Despite my longing for iMessage chat locking in iOS 17, numerous other anticipated features are expected to accompany the next iPhone operating system iteration, many of which are equally thrilling.
Yet, amid all the speculated features, my top pick remains the new “active widgets” feature.
iPhone widgets, notably in appearance, surpass those on Android. Despite some apps lacking widgets on iPhone (I’m looking at you, Slack), those that do exist look exceptionally appealing on the home screen.
However, functionally, the iPhone widget system pales in comparison to Android’s, notably in its static nature.
Consider the Spotify widget. Spotify’s widget should offer more than a mere shortcut to the recently played section of the app. Similar functionality could be achieved with Siri Shortcuts.
Active Widgets, once deemed “ready” for iPhone by Apple, could vastly improve iOS 17’s widgets. Envision a Spotify widget displaying a live “now playing” screen, complete with seek and track controls. Such capabilities already exist in the Android version of Spotify’s widget.
Lock Screen Updates
Rumors suggest updates to the lock screen in iOS 17. While iOS 16 introduced Lock Screen widgets, rumors indicate further enhancements in iOS 17.
Firstly, there’s the rumor about Apple Maps directions appearing on the Lock Screen. Yet, I’m not thrilled because Apple Maps often performs poorly in India, and I always rely on Google Maps for navigation.
However, rumors also suggest updates to Apple Music, including displaying song lyrics on the lock screen. This delights me as it enhances my personal concerts, where I sing to myself exclusively. No more accidental recitations of “all the lonely Starbucks lovers” while replaying Blank Space.
Special Mention: Sideloading Apps
Sideloading apps on iPhone has been a long-desired aspiration for many. However, with the EU’s third-party app store legislation, Apple may allow iPhone users to install apps without the App Store. That’s great.
Why is this worth mentioning? Well, since the EU passed the legislation, Apple may restrict sideloading to iPhones in Europe. This means the rest of the world may miss out on using other app stores or IPA files for app installation.
Yet, I hope this feature will expand to other regions too in time. We’ll have to wait and watch, perhaps with a tinge of jealousy towards our European friends.
Bring Me the Features, Apple!
Apple is famously tardy in introducing iPhone features. Some may argue it’s because they wait for perfection, but considering the numerous bugs iOS users have faced in recent years, that claim falls flat.
Apple must prioritize quality features in iOS. For instance, locking chats with Face ID is essential in today’s messaging landscape, where feature updates are relentless.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
