This iOS 17 feature may turn your iPhone into the perfect office desk or kitchen companion

4 months ago

With the upcoming update, the iPhone will reportedly get a feature popularized by Android and Amazon’s tablets.
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iphone-14-pro-lock-screen-always-on-display — June Wan/ZDNET

Apple’s WWDC event is just weeks away, and while most of the fanfare stems from the much-anticipated AR/VR headset, a new report from Bloomberg has me excited about what’s next for the iPhone.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the upcoming iOS 17 version will introduce a smart display feature, turning a locked, horizontally-positioned iPhone into a glanceable window of useful information. That includes the weather, calendar appointments, notifications, and more.

Also: Every Apple product we’re expecting at WWDC 2023

Much like the iPhone 14 Pro’s Always-On Display, this new feature should give iPhones more practicality, even when they’re not in use. It’s a trend we’re seeing more of from Android tablets like Google and Amazon, making the most of devices when left idle.

MagSafe-compatible charging docks are nothing new, but Apple has a golden opportunity here to create an accessory of its own for the new smart display feature — one that’s rotatable and naturally positions the iPhone in landscape orientation and will keep the device charged when stationed.

Also: Best MagSafe accessories for your iPhone

I don’t expect the smart display setting to be supported by older iPhones (anything before the iPhone 12 series) since the feature likely requires a larger screen to actually be usable. But that may as well be music to Apple’s ears because the iPhone 12 models and above all support MagSafe charging.