Quick Takeaways: iOS 17 beta 6 is available for developers. With the iPhone 15 release next month, this is close to a final version release of iOS 17.

Apple released iOS 17 beta 6 to developers and public beta testers this week. That’s in advance of an expected full public release next month.

However, it’s a minor update over iOS 17 beta 5, probably because Apple engineers will be busy bug fixing ahead of the public release.

It does include two major UI changes that might be of interest to users.

The “End Call” button has returned to the center

Apple made multiple changes to the Phone app during the iOS 17 betas, including the interface shown during a call. This upset some users.

The most controversial call interface change is the new placement of the “End Call” button. Beta 5 moved this from the usual centered position to the right-most corner.

That played havoc with muscle memory, as the end call button has long been in the center. As a result, users started hitting the Keypad button or even FaceTime when trying to end a call.

It looks like Apple has listened and returned the button to the center. So, no more hitting the wrong button while ending a call. 

iOS 17 also adds NameDrop for easy contact sharing and Contact Poster, which enables full-screen custom images for incoming callers. 

iMessage interface changes in iOS 17

The other important change with iOS 17 beta 6 concerns iMessage. The Messages app gets new features, including Live Stickers, Swipe to Reply, and audio message transcription. 

Not only those, but Apple has also redesigned how iOS users interact with the iMessage app. The iMessage app list in iOS 17 betas is hidden under a “+” button.

If you tap the button, it expands, showing the iMessage app controls. The Camera and Photos shortcuts are on this menu now, without dedicated buttons on the input field.

However, this is confusing. Previously, it was much easier when all the options had dedicated shortcuts, And now, sending photos via the iMessage app requires additional steps. 

iOS 17 beta 6 keeps the interface the same, with an added shortcut. If you press and hold the “+” button, iMessage will automatically show the Photo Picker.

We expect iOS 17 to release to the public shortly after the iPhone 15 launch event in September.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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However, the latest iOS 17 beta 5 comes with an unexpected change. Apple has changed the position of the “End Call” button in the Phone app.

Apple changes the “End Call” button position on iOS 17 beta 

Recently, Apple’s iOS 17 beta 5 has rolled out, and one of the notable changes within the new software is the “End Call” button placement on the call screen. 

The change was first noticed by Gizmodo, pointing out that Apple has moved it from its usual center spot to the right corner. It is an unmistakable change for long-term iOS users.

Not only that, Apple has moved other buttons too. It has replaced the lonely Red “End Call” button with a group of buttons. It will be easy to accidentally hit them while reaching for the red button. 

This is a small change, and there is no need to make a fuss about it, especially since it’s in a beta build. 

However, if we take a look at the bigger picture, this small UI change will make a significant difference in the user experience if finalized. The “End Call” button has been in the same spot for a long time.

Apple’s decision to change it goes against years of muscle memory. So, there will be some issues initially. 

Although the Red button has been placed alongside other buttons of similar size and design, the color Red is still distinct. Nevertheless, the change could be confusing, and users may hit the Keypad button beside it while trying to end a call.  

That said, take this change with a grain of salt, as Apple can easily revert the change when it tolls out the stable version of iOS 17 in the future, which will launch alongside the iPhone 15 series. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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This past Wednesday was not just another hump day; it marked the release of a series of critical security updates from our friends at Cupertino.

So what exactly is in this update? Well, here are two of the most important fixes:

1. Kernel: This nasty bug could allow bad actors to “execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges,” or in layman’s terms: run code with zero restrictions on your device. That’s like giving someone the keys to your house and saying, “Help yourself to anything.”

• Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
• Description: An integer overflow was addressed with improved input validation.
• CVE-2023-32434: Georgy Kucherin (@kucher1n), Leonid Bezvershenko (@bzvr_), and Boris Larin (@oct0xor) of Kaspersky

2. WebKit: WebKit is essentially what lets webpages display on your Apple devices. A flaw here means bad guys could use harmful web content to mess with your device and, just like the Kernel issue, execute code remotely on your device. Yea, not good.

• Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
• Description: A type confusion issue was addressed with improved checks.
• CVE-2023-32439: an anonymous researcher

The most concerning part about all this is that Apple has confirmed both issues have been exploited already – yikes! So if you value your digital privacy (and sanity), get to updating, like, right now.

Who gets these updates?

Now for the million-dollar question: Is my device supported? Chances are, yes.

While some older models may not get all the new shiny features anymore, Apple still throws them a security lifeline now and then.

Here’s a quick rundown:

• iOS 16.5.1 and iPadOS 16.5.1 for iPhone 8 onwards & iPad Pro (all models) among others
• iOS 15.7.7 and iPadOS 15.7 for iPhone SE (1st gen) & iPod touch (7th gen)
• macOS updates for Ventura, Monterey & Big Sur users
• Safari gets its own patch too
• watchOS updates cover Series 3 through SE

How do I get these updates?

It’s super easy. If your devices aren’t already giving you the nudge to update, going the manual route is as easy as pie:

1. For iPhone and iPad users:
   • Go to ‘Settings‘
   • Tap on ‘General‘
   • Select ‘Software Update‘
2. If you’re using a Mac:
   • Head over to ‘System Settings‘ or ‘System Preferences
   • Click on ‘General‘
   • Choose ‘Software Update‘
3. And for those sporting an Apple Watch:
   • Open the Watch app
   • Navigate to ‘General’

Still need an extra hand, we can walk you through each device’s update. We have some carefully thought-out guides you can follow:

In short: If you’ve got an Apple gadget lying around somewhere – which, let’s face it, most of us do – make sure you grab this latest round of updates pronto.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iOS 17 finally solves that stupid scan-to-tap QR problem
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The post Apple users: update your devices right now; critical update available appeared first on KnowTechie.

Yeah, it isn’t the easiest thing to pull off but guess what – that’s going away soon because the great minds at Apple are doing something about it in iOS 17.

If you’re wondering how they’re doing it, no, Apple isn’t developing some new QR code scanning innovation, and they’re certainly not going to change because I wrote a blog once. So how they’re doing it?

Easy, they’re just moving the menu so it appears at the bottom of the screen vs. floating around like some Pokemon Go character.

First spotted by 9to5Mac, a link button appears at the bottom of the Camera app when you scan a QR code. This makes it easy to tap with your thumb, just like the Safari search bar at the bottom of the screen.

You might think this is just a minor change, but let’s face it – we’ve all experienced the frustration of trying to tap that annoying floating button. So it’s about time Apple stepped up and made this feature more user-friendly.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple will automatically blur your nudes in iOS 17
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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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At the event, one of the biggest hits was Apple’s improvement to autocorrect.

Using AI and machine learning, Apple figured out how to stop annoying its users and resolved the irritating “ducking” problem, allowing users to curse freely, faster, and more efficiently.

Although the improvement was eagerly anticipated, the company also announced the addition of its sensitive content warning feature that automatically blurs nude images.

No more nudes for the wicked

So, the next time someone sends you unwanted nudes or explicit pictures and has an iPhone running iOS 17, Apple’s features will warn you that the image you’re about to view contains sensitive images while presenting a set of options.

This is all due to the new sensitive content warning feature that scans texted images. And if it sees any funny business, images are automatically blurred.

If this is ringing any bells, iOS 15.2 added a Communication Safety feature, which did the same but only for children. However, Apple left an option to view the image. 

Similarly, in iOS 17, Apple will blur nude or explicit images, but this time for adults. Apple is also providing the option to unblur or view images.

The image blurring feature will be disabled by default on iOS 17. So, you have to manually enable the feature to protect yourself or others against nudity after updating.

Lastly, Apple has clarified if the sensitive content warning is issued on-device.

“As with Communication Safety, all image and video processing for Sensitive Content Warning occurs on-device, so Apple does not get access to the content,” Apple wrote in a press release.

Currently, iOS 17 developer beta is available free on all eligible iPhones. However, fair warning: The iOS 17 developer beta is extremely unstable. So, be sure to make a data backup and install it at your own risk. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple is finally tweaking the autocorrect function with iOS 17
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With iOS 16 or later, you can use Photo Shuffle to rotate between a selection of lock screen images. Essentially, if you pick the right photos, you can turn your wallpaper into an ever-shuffling gallery of whatever you like to look at.

Therefore, gone are the days of staring at a single lock screen image you can no longer stand but can’t be bothered changing. Let’s discuss how to set up Photo Shuffle on iPhone.

How to enable Photo Shuffle on iPhone

On the preview screen, before tapping Add or Done, you’ll see a More (…) button in the bottom right corner, which you can use to adjust shuffle frequency.

You can also return to photo selection by tapping the gallery button in the bottom left corner.

How to remove unwanted featured photos from Photo Shuffle

If Photo Shuffle is showing you featured images you want to exclude from your gallery, you can remove them by following these steps:

1. When you see an unwanted photo, tap and hold your lock screen and unlock your iPhone when prompted

2. Tap Customize

3. Tap Lock Screen

4. Tap the More (…) button in the bottom right corner and choose Don’t Feature Photo

However, if you’re really picky about the photos you see and don’t want to spend time blacklisting certain images, selecting the manual Photo Shuffle option may be the best solution.

That way, you have complete control over which pictures are included in your gallery.

Curate your Photo Shuffle gallery wisely

The images you choose to include in your Photo Shuffle gallery have the potential to impact your day-to-day and influence your mood.

For example, if you want to feel calm and relaxed, you might want to create a gallery of nothing but fluffy kittens and puppies unless, of course, the sight of small animals fills you with rage. In which case, you should probably choose something else.

Ultimately, when it comes to curating your Photo Shuffle gallery, you should select your images wisely and remember that they will appear on your lock screen, which means you’re practically putting them on public display.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to turn your iPhone lock screen into a rotating art gallery   appeared first on KnowTechie.

Once you’ve set up the shortcut, a quick tap or a Siri command lets you type a note and, if wanted, add a photo to your memory. Memories are then saved in the Notes app for easy access and review.

Don’t let your precious thoughts slip away into the ether. Let’s discuss how to use ‘Remember This’ to never forget anything again.

How to use the ‘Remember This’ shortcut on iPhone

You can set up and use Remember This on iOS by following these steps:

Once you’ve saved a remembering or two, you can access them via the Notes app. You’ll see a new note for each day, which contains time-stamped entries for each memory.

Naturally, you can alter some of Remember This’s behaviors, such as the text displayed on activation, by tapping the More (…) button on the shortcut within the Shortcuts app.

Add the ‘Remember This’ shortcut to your iPhone’s Home Screen

You’ll likely want to add Remember This to your Home Screen for easy access, which you can do by following these steps:

1. From the Shortcuts app, select Shortcuts in the bottom menu bar(if it isn’t already selected) and click the More (…) button on Remember This

2. Tap the Share button in the bottom menu bar

3. Select Add to Home Screen

4. Tap Add to complete the process

Remember This will now appear on your Home Screen, ready to be moved to a more convenient location.

If you’re having trouble remembering things, you’ll likely want the shortcut to be accessible in an instant so you can record those slippery thoughts before they’re gone.

Apple’s accessibility tools make our lives easier

If memory isn’t your strong suit, Apple’s Remember This shortcut has your back. Once you’ve set it up, you can store memories in an instant and easily review them in the Notes app.

Each day, our gadgets make our lives easier, and we gradually become less reliant on our in-built biological tools, like, for instance, memory.

Who needs to remember things when our phones can do it for us?

Right now, the machines are picking up a lot of the slack, and most of us have forgotten how to live without them – or never knew.

At some point, we’ll either need to become one with the machines or be ruled by them. We might have arrived at one of those outcomes already.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to use iPhone’s Remember This shortcut (and why you should) appeared first on KnowTechie.

Apple announced and previewed iOS 17 at WWDC, its annual developer’s conference. The new update will be a major revision with some interesting new features.

iOS 17 is set to release this fall, but as with previous years, not all iPhone models will be compatible with the update. Some older iPhones won’t receive the upgrade and will remain on their current version.

Among the iPhones that will support iOS 17 is a notable device from a few years back: The list includes 2017’s iPhone X. The list includes 2017’s iPhone X. 

List of iOS 17 Compatible iPhones

iOS 17 is coming this fall, but the public beta will roll out in July. Apple says if your phone isn’t on this list, you have nothing to worry about.

But for the folks who are still holding on to that iPhone 7 for dear life, say goodbye to any new iOS updates.

So, what happens if your iPhone isn’t on the list? 

How to find out which model iPhone you have

What to do if your iPhone missed out on the compatibility list? 

Sadly, there’s nothing you can do if your iPhone didn’t make the cut. The alternative is buying a new iPhone. If that’s not an option, you’ll miss out on the update.

Along with that, you’ll miss out on any future security updates. iOS 16 will be the last iOS version on your iPhone. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post iOS 17 is coming, but your iPhone may not support it – here’s why appeared first on KnowTechie.

Yesterday’s WWDC 2023 event was remarkable for multiple reasons. Apple announced the new 15-inch MacBook Air, WatchOS 10, MacOS Sonoma, and more.

However, for some fans, WWDC got more excited when Apple some fans were thrilled when Apple introduced a new, better autocorrect feature that made swearing easier.

New and Improved Autocorrect Function 

During the keynote, Apple’s Senior VP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, said, “And in those moments where you just want to type a ducking word, well, the keyboard will learn it too.”

iPhone’s autocorrect feature was somewhat quirky. It takes a misspelled word and replaces it with something it deems logical, completely changing the meaning of the sentence. 

But on iOS 17, iPhone’s keyboard uses a transfer model. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, uses the same in its language models. So, it learns from what you type and predicts what you may want to type next. 

However, it also makes corrections, and if you’re not happy with any of the changes, you can always tap the underlined word to get it back. Pretty convenient, right?

Moving forward, this new iPhone autocorrect tweak is coming with iOS 17, which is expected to come out in September with the all-new Phone 15. However, the early public beta will be available sometime in July. 

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Apple is finally tweaking the autocorrect function with iOS 17 appeared first on KnowTechie.

That said, My Photo Stream has evolved into an outdated and unstable platform, causing more problems for users than benefits. As a result, Apple has ultimately decided to discontinue the decade-old service in favor of iCloud Photo Storage.

The company has officially confirmed they’re shutting it down on July 26, 2023, and any uploads using My Photo Stream will be disabled one month prior, on June 26, 2023.

It’s a free but an unstable service 

Although My Photo Storage was a free service, its end won’t surprise Apple users. The service launched alongside iCloud in 2011.

It also included a lengthy list of limitations, such as the number of photos allowed for upload and the 30-day expiry limit on Apple servers.

Another major drawback was that users had to manually save photos if they wanted to keep them on another device. The worst was that the resolution was not entirely up to par, making it difficult for users to save their photos in their original, high-quality resolution.

Saving photos was a hassle too. Factor in the platform’s instability and inability to store high-resolution photos, My Photo Stream has become the worst photo storage option. 

On the other hand, iCloud’s free storage is limited to 5GB, but it has all the features of modern cloud storage. Better yet, photos and videos can be stored in their default resolutions. 

Thankfully, you have options

Moving forward, Apple suggests using iCloud Photos to save and share pictures across all your devices. But if iCloud Photos isn’t for you, you still have time to find other options.

If you decide to stay with iCloud Photos, you’ll want to ensure iCloud Photos Storage is enabled on your device.

By following these instructions, you’ll have successfully activated iCloud Photo Storage, allowing easy synchronization and storage of your photos and videos across all your Apple devices.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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