Everything new in iOS 27 that I actually ended up using in my workout app, and now the Duo
iOS 27 has been out for a few weeks and I've been slowly moving my app over to the new stuff. Some of it is hype, some of it is really good. Here's what stuck.
On-device reading of screenshots and photos. Honestly the best one. You hand the app a picture, it figures out what's in it and fills in the form for you. Doesn't leave the phone. I expected it to be bad and it's not.
Live heart rate zones from the watch. Apps can finally see which zone you're in while it's happening, not just after. And it uses your own zones from Health, so no setup.
Real drag and swipe. Drag to reorder, swipe a row for actions. Sounds boring but every app used to build its own janky version. Now it's the system one and you can feel the difference.
A proper add button in the tab bar. One tab can be that separate round button now. Tiny change, I use it constantly.
Then the Duo, which ate my whole week. Open it and the app goes two columns. Tap an item and it opens beside the list. Fold it halfway, stand it up, and the screen splits: content on top, controls on the bottom.
Curious what you all think. Which iOS 27 thing do you want to see in more apps? Feels like most of them haven't bothered yet.