Goolman said Apple improved the lock screen interface in iOS 17 to turn iPhone into a smart screen.

Thanks to CTOnews.com netizens Wu Yanzu in South China and Mr. Aviation for their clue delivery! CTOnews.com, May 25-Mark Mark Gurman of Bloomberg said in the latest Power On newsletter that Apple's upcoming iOS 17 will improve the lock screen interface to turn the iPhone into a "home smart screen."

Goolman said that when placed horizontally, iPhone can display information such as calendar appointments, weather data, notifications, and so on, acting as a data hub for the family.

According to the report, CTOnews.com attached a description of the usage scenario as follows: after the iPhone is placed horizontally and connected to the MagSafe charger bracket, the smart home interface can be displayed, close to what can be seen on devices such as Echo Show or Google Nest Hub.

Apple wants to make the iPhone more useful when it is not actively used and placed on a table or nightstand. Apple plans to use dark backgrounds and light text to make the information on the display easy to read.

Sources say Apple is also developing such a smart home interface for iPad, but iPadOS 17 is not yet ready.

Apple is also developing a low-cost tablet that can be magnetically attached to walls as a dedicated home center, the report said.