Detailed Scam & Spam Call Detection
Apple’s iOS 17 code reveals intriguing strings that hint at an upcoming spam call and text detection feature. I have discovered several entries in the codebase that could allow the software to categorize and notify users about potential spam or scam calls and messages.
The code segments discovered include a variety of ‘maybe’ tag labels such as “MAYBE_BUSINESS” through to “MAYBE_TRUSTED”, suggesting the new feature may provide users with a prediction of the type of spam they’re receiving.
Some of the ‘maybe’ tags include:
“MAYBE_BUSINESS” => “Maybe: Business spam”
“MAYBE_COLLECTION” => “Maybe: Collection spam”
“MAYBE_EMERGENCY” => “Maybe: Emergency spam”
“MAYBE_FRAUD” => “Maybe: Fraud”
“MAYBE_GOVERNMENT” => “Maybe: Government spam”
“MAYBE_HEALTH” => “Maybe: Health spam”
“MAYBE_INFORMATIONAL” => “Maybe: Informational spam”
“MAYBE_NONPROFIT” => “Maybe: Nonprofit spam”
“MAYBE_PERSONAL” => “Maybe: Personal spam”
“MAYBE_POLITICAL” => “Maybe: Political spam”
“MAYBE_PRISON” => “Maybe: Prison spam”
“MAYBE_PUBLICSERVICE” => “Maybe: Public service spam”
“MAYBE_SPOOFED” => “Maybe: Spoofed call”
“MAYBE_SURVEY” => “Maybe: Survey”
“MAYBE_TELEMARKETING” => “Maybe: Telemarketing”
“MAYBE_TRUSTED” => “Maybe: Trusted call”
These hidden code snippets indicate a potentially powerful upgrade to Apple’s built-in call filtering system. Although the feature is not confirmed, the presence of these strings suggests that Apple is developing a way to offer advanced categorization of spam calls and texts.
Currently, the ability to categorize spam calls and messages with such a granular level of detail is not common among phone operating systems. Apple’s system, if implemented, could significantly improve user experience by providing an automatic, sophisticated screening process for incoming communications.
New Sync System for Shortcuts
Apple is working on a new sync system for Shortcuts.and it comes with the following warning:
New Sync Architecture is in Beta. New Sync Architecture enabled devices will sync with other such devices, while devices with it disabled will sync between themselves. Do not enable if you rely on your Shortcuts for critical work, and if data loss will result in serious upset.
New Car Dashboard related SF Symbols
Apple added many new SF Symbols in iOS 17 and some of the more interesting ones appear to be for CarPlay.
rProd, another hidden name for Apple Vision Pro?
In addition to xrOS, rProd could be another hidden name for either visionOS or Apple Vision Pro.
“CLOUD_FEED_UPDATING_LIBRARY_NO_NETWORK_MESSAGE_rProd Device” => “Connect your {Device} to the Internet to update your library.”
Offline Map Airport Notification
Apple is working on a feature to send users a helpful airport arrival notification to remind users that they can download offline maps.
“AIRPORT_ARRIVAL_NOTIFICATION_MESSAGE” => “Download an offline map to get around without an internet connection.”
New Touch ID replacement warning
Apple might have updated the fake or non-OEM Touch ID error 53 alert with a more descriptive message as now it shows users if their Touch ID is genuine.
iPhone Touch ID is a genuine Apple part.
New Memoji Properties and Sticker Poses
Arms (thickness), Bust (shape), Shoulders (width), Waist, and Body are new Memoji properties that Apple might add to iOS 17 soon. It appears they are not in the first beta. Apple is also adding the following poses to the Memoji sticker collection: “Smiling face with halo”, "Face with peeking eye through stretched hand in front of face", and “Smirking face”.
Forced Developer Mode
Apple could ship some devices with Developer Mode enabled out of the box. This could be for the Apple Pro Vision devices that Apple ships to developers.
“Developer Mode is force enabled on this device.”
Support for games made for the Xbox 360 Controller
As part of Apple adding DirectX 12 support to macOS and Apple Silicon via its Game Porting Toolkit, Apple also created a setting to enable better compatibility for games designed for the Xbox 360 Controller.
“COMPATIBILITY_CONTROLLER_ENABLED” => “Increase controller compatibility”
“COMPATIBILITY_CONTROLLER_ENABLED_DESCRIPTION” => “Enable this setting to use this controller with games that are designed for the Xbox 360 Controller.”
Accessibility Changes
HomePod will “Automatically Adjust Siri Volume” if this accessibility feature is turned on. I’m not sure if that is based on the volume of the device, music, or the loudness of the Siri request.
Apple is working on an accessibility feature to prevent the animation of images or GIFs.
Controls whether images animate on the Web and in apps.
Misc Tidbits
Read Now syncs using your iCloud account. Use iCloud Drive to sync PDFs you’ve added to your library.
Checkin related: “If iPhone places an Emergency SOS call, they will be notified and your location will be shared.”
Voice Memos now encrypts the titles of your recordings in addition to the recordings themselves. Devices with older versions of Voice Memos may display the date of the recording rather than the title.