BY KATELYN BUCHALTER
Editor in Chief
The newest iPhone update- IOS 17 became available to everyone with an Apple device on September 18, 2023. The update included several components including a few new apps and features. One of the more significant upgrades includes “NameDrop”- a feature that allows users to quickly share contact information.
“NameDrop” presents a sharp new addition to the already interesting Bluetooth features iPhones provide. It allows iPhone users to hold up their devices and quickly exchange information. “Along with contact details, the feature also lets you share music and map info easily, which could probably be pretty handy if you need to do it quickly,” said senior Lindsey Wilkinson.
The feature automatically turns on with the new update and many iPhone users speculate “NameDrop” may cause security issues. “When you leave your phone out in public, someone can take the opportunity to put your contact in their phone and potentially stalk you,” added Karolina Lustica. “It’s a low chance but scary nonetheless.”
The new advancement could present as positive even with the update’s oddness, but that doesn’t change the question of whether it is necessary. “I get the point of it. I mean, it’s easier for people to just scan in then tell numbers and call to register contacts but did this really need to be made since it was pretty quick to do the latter already?” questioned Kendrick Pugh.
To turn off “NameDrop,” users can go to their general iPhone settings and select the airdrop section. Then, a toggle appears under “Bringing Devices Together,” allowing an option to disable the feature. “As soon as I heard about it, I immediately turned it off,” added Wilkinson. “It kind of struck me as odd that I had to do that in the first place, honestly. It seems like the kind of thing that shouldn’t come turned on automatically.”
Further advancements in AI may continue to change future updates and security features. “AI can pretty much do anything. I am sure that it might take over what people usually do and help bring down the communication and the way we talk to people,” predicted Alexandra Rudaya.
Posted on 1/17/24
Photos by Katelyn Buchalter
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