WWDC 2023: Apple may add a smart display-like iPhone lock screen with iOS 17

The view, however, will be available only when the phone is locked. It will be positioned horizontally and will show widgets on a dark background with bright text. With the new display on the iPhone’s lock screen, the idea is to make the device more useful when kept atop a desk or on a nightstand. 

The display will be similar to dedicated displays offered by Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Amazon.com Inc., according to people familiar with the project. The feature is already available on Pixel devices when used with a Pixel stand. Pixel devices also offer Google’s At a Glance widget which displays the date, calendar appointments, and other notifications from the home and lock screen.

As per the report, along with iPhones, Apple may bring this smart display feature to iPads as well. The Cupertino-based company is also working on a magnetic mount that can be used with the device.

The feature will be introduced with iOS 17 that is set to be announced the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2023. The annual developer event will be organised on June 7. Apple iOS 17 is internally codenamed Dawn.

According to reports, Apple is planning to bring significant changes with the latest operating system. This may include sideloading of apps, enhancements to Wallet app and Find My app among others. As per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone maker is likely to focus on updates to core system apps with the iOS 17. He says that there will be enhancements to ‌Find My‌ app with a bigger push on location.

The company has already revealed a host of new accessibility features for its iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. These include Assistive Access, Live Speech and Personal Voice Advance Speech Accessibility, and Point and Speak.