Apple final month confirmed that iOS 17.4 can be launched in March, and the replace contains a number of new options and modifications for the iPhone.
Key new options in iOS 17.4 embrace main App Retailer modifications within the EU, Apple Podcasts transcripts, SharePlay for the HomePod, and new emoji. The replace additionally contains preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay later this 12 months.
Apple’s press launch affirmation that iOS 17.4 can be launched in March:
Inevitably, the brand new choices for builders’ EU apps create new dangers to Apple customers and their units. Apple cannot get rid of these dangers, however inside the DMA’s constraints, the corporate will take steps to cut back them. These safeguards can be in place when customers obtain iOS 17.4 or later, starting in March.
Extra particulars concerning the new options and modifications in iOS 17.4 comply with.
App Retailer Adjustments in EU
To adjust to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple introduced main modifications to the App Retailer, Apple Pay, Safari, and extra. These modifications can be applied with iOS 17.4 for iPhone customers who reside within the 27 nations that belong to the EU.
In the beginning, Apple now permits different app marketplaces and different cost choices on the App Retailer within the EU. Different modifications within the EU embrace a brand new default internet browser choice display screen in Safari, the flexibility for third-party internet browsers to make use of internet engines aside from Apple’s WebKit on the iPhone, the flexibility for third-party cell pockets apps to entry the iPhone’s NFC chip for contactless cost performance, and extra.
For extra particulars, learn our recap of all the EU modifications in iOS 17.4 and Apple’s overview.
Apple Podcasts Transcripts
Beginning with iOS 17.4, the Apple Podcasts app now presents transcripts for podcasts, permitting listeners to learn the complete textual content of an episode, seek for a particular phrase or phrase, and faucet on the textual content to leap to a sure a part of the episode. As an episode performs, every phrase is highlighted, much like Apple Music music lyrics.
Apple says it robotically generates transcripts after a brand new episode is printed. Transcripts can be found for podcasts in English, French, German, and Spanish, and they are going to be added for older episodes in a podcast’s catalog over time.
SharePlay for HomePod
Beginning with iOS 17.4, Apple has expanded SharePlay music management to HomePod audio system.
This function permits household and pals to manage the music that’s enjoying in your HomePod, if you happen to approve their request. For now, it’s restricted to the Music app, and the opposite individuals don’t require an Apple Music subscription to be able to take part.
Whereas enjoying a music in your iPhone, faucet the SharePlay icon on the backside of the display screen to deliver up a QR code, which one other particular person can scan with their iPhone or Android smartphone’s digital camera to request entry to music playback controls. Even a screenshot of the QR code suffices, permitting you to remotely grant entry to individuals world wide.
Apple already rolled out a comparable function for CarPlay final 12 months, permitting anybody in a automotive to manage music playback through SharePlay with permission.
New Emoji
iOS 17.4 provides new emoji, together with a damaged chain, a brown mushroom, a head shaking horizontally, a head shaking vertically, a lime, and a phoenix.
Subsequent-Era CarPlay Preparations
The primary iOS 17.4 beta contains code for eight new CarPlay apps:
- Auto Settings: This app will allow you to handle paired iPhones and modify car settings.
- Automotive Digicam: This app will show the car’s rear-view digital camera feed.
- Cost: For electrical autos, this app will show battery degree, charging standing, time remaining till the battery is totally charged, and extra.
- Local weather: This app will present entry to a car’s local weather controls inside CarPlay, permitting you to regulate the temperature of the A/C or heating system, fan velocity, heated seats, heated steering wheel, and extra.
- Closures: This app will show if any of the car’s doorways are opened, and it may also show car warning symbols.
- Media: This app will present entry to FM and AM radio station controls inside CarPlay, together with different media choices like SiriusXM. It’s unclear if SiriusXM will supply satellite tv for pc connectivity, or stay restricted to web streaming. Customers will have the ability to choose from a listing of music genres, corresponding to Prime 40 and Rock.
- Tire Strain: This app will show air stress for every of the car’s tires, and supply low stress, excessive stress, and flat tire warnings.
- Journeys: This app will present a wide range of driving-related knowledge, together with the car’s common velocity, gas effectivity or power effectivity, the overall time elapsed and distance traveled on a visit, and extra.
Apple lately confirmed that the primary U.S. car fashions with next-generation CarPlay can be launched sooner or later in 2024.
Extra
Learn our full checklist of iOS 17.4 options to study extra modifications, together with Dwell Actions help for the Clock app’s stopwatch, and the “Hear Now” tab being renamed to “Residence” within the Apple Music and Apple Podcasts apps.
