Apple Thoughtfully Introduces ‘StandBy’ Mode for iPhone’s Lock Screen
Apple has once again proven its ability to surpass all of our expectations at WWDC. Despite being late to the “Always On” party, Apple has managed to outshine its competitors by maximizing the benefits of this feature in their upcoming iOS 17 update.
Recognizing the gap and importance of sleep tech, Apple has added a really simple update to their “Always On” feature. The company has introduced StandBy, a horizontal full-screen view specifically designed for use with a MagSafe stand.
This feature provides users with an immersive visual experience when their device is placed sideways on a MagSafe stand. Take a look at an example down below:
When charging your iPhone at night, the StandBy mode automatically adapts to low light conditions, providing a soothing red tone that, apparently promotes better sleep. Furthermore, StandBy will remember preferred views at each location where users charge their devices, ensuring a personalized and comfortable experience.
Apple’s ability to leverage AOD in iOS 17 shows how they stay ahead of the curve. With iOS 17, Apple proves that being late to the “Always On” tech doesn’t mean playing catch-up. Instead, they have squeezed the potential of this feature, leaving competitors literally scrambling to keep up their innovative and user-centric approach.
Standby mode is not yet ideal for iPhones
One of the biggest problems with standby mode is that it makes it difficult to use your iPhone while it is charging. The display is dimmed so much that it can be hard to see, and the OS is not designed for primary landscape use. This can be a problem if you want to check notifications, reply to messages, or use your phone for other tasks while it is charging.
Another problem with standby mode is that it does not support widgets, so you cannot use them to quickly view information while your iPhone is charging.
Also, standby mode is not available on all iPhones. It is only available on iPhones that support MagSafe, which is the magnetic charging system that Apple introduced with the iPhone 12. This means that if you have an older iPhone, you cannot use standby mode.
While the standby mode has some potential benefits, it also has some limitations that make it not ideal for everyone. If you are looking for a way to extend your iPhone’s battery life while it is charging, standby mode may be a good option for you. However, if you need to be able to use your iPhone while it is charging, or if you have an older iPhone, standby mode may not be the best choice for you.
Standby mode on iPad?
Standby mode may make more sense on iPads than on iPhones. iPads have larger displays that are better suited for landscape use. They also have more powerful processors that can handle the extra load of running widgets in standby mode.
Apple has been known to introduce features on iPhones first and then bring them to iPads later. For example, the App Library and Home Screen widgets were first introduced on iPhones with iOS 14, but they were not available on iPads until iPadOS 15.
It is possible that Apple could do the same with Standby mode. The feature could be introduced on iPadOS 18, which is expected to be released in the fall of 2023.
Only time will tell if Apple will bring Standby mode to iPads. However, if it does, it could be a great addition for iPad users who want to extend their battery life while their devices are charging.
