Kate Mills 
Dec 03, 2023
Apple's iOS 17 update introduces a unique feature that aims to transform your iPhone into more than just a gadget, but a personal companion that delves into your daily life — meet the Journal app. This ambitious addition is designed to prompt reflection, gratitude, and emotional introspection, leveraging AI to curate suggestions and Reflections based on your activities and interactions throughout the day.
What's good about Journal app
The Journal app is not another Notes app. It's not just about pouring your thoughts on your own, it helps you and guides you into journalling.
One of the app's standout features is its ability to suggest Reflections based on many data points extracted from your phone. It synthesises recent activities, locations visited, photos captured, and even memories from years past, stitching them into thought-provoking prompts. This peek into your personal history often sparks nostalgia, pulling out forgotten memories to the forefront. For some, this serves as a digital nudge towards mindfulness and gratitude.
The depth of personalisation in the Reflections is noteworthy. Suggestions are often poignant, invoking emotions and introspection. For instance, prompts about past moments or locations visited trigger reflection, giving users a space to reminisce and appreciate the little joys of life.
Apple's emphasis on privacy within the app is commendable. The data remains on-device, locked behind Face ID or a passcode, ensuring a private space for one's thoughts and memories. The company assures that even with iCloud syncing, entries are end-to-end encrypted, reinforcing the confidentiality of users' content.
The imperfections
However, the Journal app is not without its flaws. While the AI-generated suggestions hold promise, their execution falls short at times. Repetitive prompts and inaccuracies in correlating significant events can clutter the user experience, leading to frustration rather than inspiration.
One significant drawback is the lack of sharing capabilities within the app. Entries remain confined to the individual user, devoid of any sharing or social features. This limitation contradicts the modern culture of sharing experiences, leaving users in a solitary bubble of reflection.
Moreover, the absence of a search function dampens the overall experience. Navigating through past entries becomes an arduous task, resembling flipping through pages of a journal rather than the efficiency expected in a digital platform.
Final verdict and expectations
While the Apple Journal app opens the door to self-reflection and emotional processing, its current iteration is a blend of promise and constraints. It has the potential to evolve into a powerful tool for enhancing mindfulness, but it needs refinement, especially in terms of suggestion accuracy, sharing capabilities, and navigational tools.
For those seeking a private sanctuary for introspection and mindful reflection, Apple's Journal app could be a welcomed addition. Yet, its current limitations might deter individuals accustomed to more interactive and shareable platforms. The success of the Journal app lies in Apple's commitment to addressing these limitations and fine-tuning its AI capabilities for a more refined and inclusive user experience.
In essence, while the Journal app is a commendable step toward personal reflection, its journey to becoming a well-rounded, impactful feature in iOS 17 is still underway. With further refinements, it has the potential to become a catalyst for emotional wellness and retrospection in the digital age.
