The iOS 17.2 software update for iPhones has arrived and brings with it a new Apple-made app. These things don’t come around too often.
Journal is Apple’s new iPhone app. Much like other popular iPhone journaling apps, the idea is you’ll use Journal to write about your day and attach photos if you like.
It’s intended to be a mindfulness exercise that helps you be more present in the moment, rather than focusing on your worries.
Apple says it “helps users reflect and practice gratitude through journaling, which has been shown to improve wellbeing”.
It also helps that Journal is free to use, whereas popular alternative 5 Minute Journal offers a paid subscription for “premium” features, such as attaching photos and videos to posts.
Apple announced the Journal app back in June at its WWDC show, using that demo to show how the app will suggest post topics based on where you’ve been and what you’ve done that day. These are dubbed Moments.
There are more updates in iOS 17.2 too.
It adds spatial video recording, when using the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. These are 3D video clips, using the primary and ultra-wide cameras on these phones’ backs to judge depth through the parallax effect.
However, to actually see Spatial video in action properly, you’ll need an Apple Vision Pro headset, which isn’t due for release until 2024 and will cost a small fortune. It’s set to sell for $3499 (and up) over in the US.
Spatial videos are shot at Full HD resolution. “On Apple Vision Pro, spatial videos can be played back in a window or expanded into an immersive view that transports users back to each moment in time, like a celebration with friends or a special family gathering,” says Apple.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can also set the side action button as a shortcut for the Translate function, a minor tweak in the update.
There are changes for Apple Music fans too. Good news for parents, the Use Listening History toggle lets you choose whether what’s streamed will go on to affect the suggested tunes you’ll see in the future.
Apple has also added a new playlist of all the songs you’ve tagged as favourite.
Other Apple devices have been updated too. WatchOS 10.2 for the Apple Watch brings interface tweaks and, with the latest Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 wearables, you can speak to Siri to log health data.
The Apple TV box gets a fresh interface, revolving around a sidebar that makes it quicker to jump between Apple TV+ and other frequently-used apps you have installed. Apple Senior Vice President of Services Eddy Cue says the new look “brings content to the forefront”.
