Apple unveils foldable iPhone Duo starting at $1,999
Apple has recently launched its foldable iPhone Duo, which has generated considerable consumer interest, despite its starting price of $1,999. On ‘Varney & Co.’, Taylor Riggs discussed the distinctive dual-screen feature and sleek design of the device. Host Stuart Varney mentioned he is thinking about buying this high-end smartphone, which can reach up to $3,000 if you opt for the model with two terabytes of storage.
Your iPhone is receiving a major overhaul. Apple rolled out iOS 27 to the public on September 14, introducing a range of new features alongside the much-anticipated Siri AI beta.
But there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes. Safari now has the capability to monitor websites for changes. The Photos app is also getting some serious editing upgrades. Apple claims it has made the entire iOS experience faster across compatible iPhones.
Some features might save users the hassle of navigating through apps or searching for information, while others enhance the customization options for how your iPhone operates and appears. Let’s look at the iOS 27 features that, in my opinion, are definitely worth checking out, including how to find them.
Will your iPhone get iOS 27?
Fortunately, Apple has maintained a broad support for this update. iOS 27 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer versions, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE and later models. This means many users can upgrade their devices without the need for a new phone. However, the more advanced AI features require stronger hardware. For instance, Apple Intelligence and Siri AI need an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, or models from the iPhone 16 series or newer. So yes, you might be able to run iOS 27 on an iPhone 11, but you’ll miss out on the new Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence capabilities.
It’s worth noting that several features, like the new AI editing tools, Safari Notify Me, and Call Context, also require an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. Siri AI is rolling out in English for supported devices, and additional languages are expected later on, though availability can vary by region.
iOS 27 should also feel faster
Apple states that iOS 27 introduces performance enhancements system-wide. According to their testing, apps can open up to 30% quicker, new photos could load in the Photos app up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers may be up to 80% swifter. Additionally, iOS 27 enhances the transition between Wi-Fi and cellular networks and improves the relevance of Mail searches. Of course, these statistics may vary based on your specific iPhone and usage habits.
How to install iOS 27 on your iPhone
Before embarking on a major software update, it’s wise to back up your iPhone, connect to Wi-Fi, and ensure your device has enough battery or is plugged into a power source.
To proceed with the installation:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- When you see iOS 27, tap Update Now or Update Tonight.
- Enter your passcode if asked.
- Agree to Apple’s terms.
- Allow the update to download and install.
- Your iPhone will restart once the installation concludes.
If iOS 27 doesn’t show up immediately, you might need to check back later since Apple software updates can take a while to be available for all compatible iPhones.
1) Reframe a photo after you take it
Apple Intelligence has integrated into the Photos app through a feature called Spatial Reframing. This allows you to adjust the composition and viewpoint of a photo after it’s already taken. The AI can fill in additional parts of the image when your new framing reveals areas that weren’t included in the initial shot.
How to use Spatial Reframing
- Open the Photos app.
- Select a photo.
- Click the three-slider Edit icon at the bottom.
- Select Tools in the bottom-right corner.
- Choose Reframe.
- Adjust the photo to alter the perspective or framing.
- Zoom if necessary.
- Check the AI-generated result.
- Tap Done when satisfied.
Keep in mind, since AI might create additional elements of the scene, it’s a good idea to zoom in and double-check the results before sharing an edited photo. Generative tools can sometimes lead to unusual details.
2) Extend a photo beyond its original edges
Maybe you shot a picture too close to the subject. The new Extend tool allows you to expand beyond its original frame while the AI generates the missing background.
How to use Extend in Photos
- Open Photos and select your photo.
- Touch the three-slider Edit icon.
- Hit Tools in the bottom-right corner.
- Choose Extend.
- Pinch inward with two fingers or drag the edges of the frame.
- Tap Extend again.
- Review the generated result before saving.
This feature might not work with every photo, and Apple notes that its intelligent photo-editing tools could have daily usage limits.
3) Clean Up can remove larger distractions
The Clean Up tool in Photos has also been enhanced. It can now address larger unwanted objects or distractions while using AI to seamlessly fill in the resultant space.
How to use Clean Up
- Open the Photos app.
- Select the photo you’d like to edit.
- Click the three-slider Edit icon.
- Hit Tools in the bottom-right corner.
- Choose Clean Up.
- Mark the object you wish to remove by tapping, brushing, or circling.
- Select Clean Up.
- Review the result and confirm with Done when you’re happy.
This could be quite useful for eliminating a person or other distraction in the background that diverts attention from your main subject.
4) Safari can watch a website for you
This might turn into one of my favorite features in iOS 27 since it addresses a common annoyance. Safari’s new Notify Me option can keep an eye on specific webpages for any changes that matter to you. For instance, you might tell Safari to notify you when a product is back in stock. It can also track price changes. Rather than repeatedly visiting the same page, Safari will alert you once something shifts.
How to use Safari Notify Me
- Open Safari.
- Visit the webpage you want to monitor.
- Select the puzzle piece icon in the search bar.
- Tap Notify Me.
- Choose a suggested request or type in what you want Safari to track.
- Adjust how frequently Safari should check the page if desired.
- Hit the blue check mark.
- Tap Allow to get notifications.
You can opt for checks every hour, daily, weekly, or monthly. However, Notify Me is not yet available on every website. Safari can also automatically streamline open tabs by category, a nice touch for anyone whose browser looks like a digital clutter box by week’s end.
5) Your iPhone can surface information during calls
Apple Intelligence is making strides in phone calls as well. A feature dubbed Call Context can present helpful information from other apps while you’re on a call.
For instance, if you contact an airline about a booking, Call Context might show a confirmation code from your Mail app instead of requiring you to leave the Phone app and search for it while on the line.
It’s simple to use. When you make a supported business call and Apple Intelligence identifies relevant info, it shows it to you during the conversation.
Apple emphasizes that its system determines potentially useful facts based on the person you’re calling, and it doesn’t analyze your call audio to do this. Features like this are what I really appreciate, as they function without requiring you to change your behavior.
6) Liquid Glass gets a much-needed adjustment
Last year, Apple introduced the transparent Liquid Glass design, and opinions have been split. While some users enjoyed the aesthetic, others found certain screens challenging to read. With iOS 27, Apple claims to have improved the contrast and readability. More importantly, they’ve added a slider allowing users to control the transparency of the interface ranging from ultra-clear to fully tinted.
How to adjust Liquid Glass
- Open Settings.
- Tap Appearance.
- Choose Liquid Glass.
- Adjust the slider left for a clearer look, or right for more opacity.
- Stop when the interface suits your readability preferences.
This change reflects in real-time as you move the slider, and it applies universally across iOS, enhancing areas like the Control Center, notifications, and app overlays. It’s a subtle alteration, but I appreciate that Apple is allowing users more choice rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all visual scheme.
7) Put your favorite Camera controls within easy reach
If you’re tired of searching for the timer, exposure, or any Camera setting, iOS 27 now lets you keep your most-used controls right above the camera frame. Apple starts you off with Flash and Live Photo in that area, but you can personalize it with other tools you use frequently.
How to customize your Camera controls
- Open the Camera app.
- Tap the Camera Controls button, which looks like six dots in a circle near the camera control areas.
- Tap Edit.
- Select any tool you’d like to place above the camera frame.
- Press the minus button next to any tool you wish to remove.
- Select Done once you’re finished.
- Swipe down on the tool menu to return to the camera.
Depending on your iPhone and the camera mode, available options might include Flash, Live Photo, Timer, Exposure, Styles, and Aspect. Apple has also integrated a Reset to Essentials option if you prefer to revert to the default setup.
8) Parents get more control over what kids can access
Apple has invested time into enhancing parental control features within iOS 27. The new Ask to Browse feature allows a child to request access to restricted websites. The parent receives this request via Messages and can accept or deny it.
How to set up Ask to Browse
To use this feature, you must first establish Family Sharing with your child in the family group.
- Open Settings.
- Select Family.
- Choose your child.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Click on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap App Store, Media, Web & Games.
- Set the web restrictions you prefer for your child.
When a child tries to access restricted content, they can send a request for access, which requires your approval. Apple has also boosted Communication Safety, which already helps shield children from nudity in supported services. Now, with iOS 27, the system can also intervene if it detects gore or violent material in photos and videos.
9) Find My gives you more control over location sharing
Find My has received a valuable privacy upgrade in iOS 27, especially if you want to limit how long someone can track your location. You can now designate a custom duration for sharing your location or even set an exact date and time for it to cease. This feature could be ideal for trips, events, or any occasion when you prefer temporary sharing without needing to remember to turn it off later. Additionally, you can pause sharing until the end of the day for specific contacts. This is especially useful when trying to keep surprises like parties or gift purchases under wraps.
How to use the new Find My location sharing options
- Open the Find My app.
- Click on People.
- Select the contact with whom you wish to share your location.
- Scroll down and tap Share My Location.
- Choose between Indefinitely, Until End of Day, For One Hour, or Custom.
- If you opt for Custom, specify the duration or exact date and time for stopping sharing.
If you are already sharing your location with someone, you can pause sharing until the end of the day through their sharing options. I find this greater control beneficial since location sharing often makes the most sense in specific circumstances. It’s nice to grant someone access to your location during a weekend trip without inadvertently giving them access later on.
10) You can describe a Shortcut and let AI build it
Shortcuts can be really powerful, but creating one manually can become quite convoluted quickly. With iOS 27, the process has been simplified through the Describe a Shortcut feature. You communicate what you want your iPhone to automate in plain language, and Shortcuts will connect the necessary actions on your behalf. For instance, Apple points out that you could instruct your iPhone to text someone your estimated arrival time when you leave work, or establish automations that interact across supported applications.
How to create a Shortcut with a description
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Tap the + icon.
- Hit Describe a Shortcut.
- Type in what you want the Shortcut to accomplish.
- Hit the send arrow.
- Answer any follow-up questions if they come up.
- Review the Shortcut that Apple Intelligence creates.
- Share any modifications you’d like to make to refine it.
This could potentially make Shortcuts much more accessible for individuals who have always liked the idea of automation but were hesitant to dive into the specifics of each action. Some Shortcuts that rely on Apple’s cloud-based AI models might have daily usage limits.
Bonus: Siri AI is here, but it remains in beta
This is the feature many iPhone users have been eagerly anticipating, though I would advise approaching it with some caution. Siri AI is launched as a beta in English on compatible devices, so keep in mind some imperfections as Apple works to enhance it.
Siri AI is designed for more natural conversations and can manage follow-up inquiries. It can also leverage personal context from the data on your device.
For example, you might ask Siri to locate an old photo without recalling when it was taken. Or, you could request it to find something in an email or note. It can now execute more tasks within apps as well. Apple claims it can operate across messages, emails, photos, and supported applications. Siri can also gather information from online sources when you ask broader questions.
Why you should care
The real test will be if Siri can streamline the process of navigating between different apps. I have always found voice assistants most effective when they eliminate steps that I was already planning to take. If Siri AI can consistently find important emails or retrieve a photo based on a vague description, it could change how frequently people utilize it. Given that this is still in beta, I would recommend verifying critical responses or actions before placing too much trust in them.
How to try the new Siri AI app
Apple has also provided Siri with its own dedicated app, enhancing its functionality and making it feel more similar to the AI assistants that users are accustomed to.
- Open the new Siri app.
- Tap the new conversation icon.
- Type or speak your questions.
- Continue with any follow-up inquiries.
- Return to previous conversations from the main Siri interface.
You can also pin conversations for easy access. Siri AI can be activated by saying “Hey Siri,” pressing the side button, or swiping down from the Dynamic Island on supported devices.
Kurt’s key takeaways
What stands out to me in iOS 27 is how many of its top features tackle real-world issues. The ability for Safari to monitor a webpage means you won’t have to, and the updated photo tools could save a potentially unusable shot. Find My now offers improved control over how long your location is shared with others. I’m particularly excited about what Apple Intelligence can enable with Shortcuts—being able to describe an automation rather than manually assembling each action might finally make Shortcuts user-friendly for those who once found it cumbersome. Lastly, I’ll be paying close attention to Siri AI. Apple is asking users to trust the assistant with more personal information and complex requests, so it’s crucial that it delivers accurate results. The beta status of Siri AI indicates that we should anticipate some bumps in the road. Ideally, I want the AI on my iPhone to save me time without requiring me to think too much about the technology involved. If iOS 27 can consistently do that, these features may become integral to my daily routine.
What would Siri AI need to demonstrate before you would trust it with more of your tasks? Feel free to share your thoughts with us through Cyberguy.com.
