Why You Can Trust CNET iOS 17 Could Make Your Locked iPhone Screen an Apple Smart Home Display
Calendar appointments and weather would reportedly be shown horizontally on your locked phone much like on a smart home display.
- I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.
iOS 17 is expected to be announced June 5.
The next software updates for iPhones could come with a feature that lets you view more items on your locked phone screen, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. Apple's upcoming iOS 17 would reportedly feature a smart display setting that shows things like calendar appointments, weather and notifications.
The display would appear horizontally and resemble a smart home display like those sold by Amazon and Google while your phone is locked and lying unused on your desk or nightstand, Bloomberg said, citing unidentified sources. It'll have a "dark background with bright text," the report says, so that you can easily read the information.
While Apple last year launched lock screen widgets on iPhones and a customizable lock screen under iOS 16, the smart home-esque display would be a different experience, potentially giving you information without you having to touch your phone.
A similar horizontal smart display would reportedly come to iPads at a later date.
Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, but the news will reportedly be revealed at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference next month.
Apple's WWDC event will kick off with a keynote on June 5, where it's expected the tech giant will unveil iOS 17, an AR/VR mixed-reality headset and possibly a new MacBook Air. You'll be able to watch WWDC online as well as on the Apple TV app.
Read more: Apple WWDC 2023: Everything We Expect at the June 5 Event
