Many developers dread watching WWDC as they fear the possibility of getting “Sherlocked” – their apps being made obsolete as Apple introduces similar features on their operating systems. Recent examples include Journal, which some say is similar to the third-party app Day One, and Continuity Cam, which resembles the app Camo. In iOS 17, Apple is taking a page from old technology with Live Voicemail, providing an interactive form of the answering machine by displaying a live transcript as the caller records a voicemail.
Apple’s iOS 17 also features a new interface called StandBy which takes inspiration from the traditional analog alarm clock and provides a customizable widget display in landscape mode. NameDrop is another feature that simplifies information sharing by prompting users to share their contact information with another iPhone when close. While some of these features may be accused of being “Sherlocked” from other apps, it’s not uncommon for companies to take inspiration from old technology in new contexts, like the development of the computer keyboard from the typewriter. So who knows what old technology will be re-introduced next, perhaps cordless phones?
