Apple final month confirmed that iOS 17.4 shall be launched in March, and the replace consists of a number of new options and adjustments for the iPhone.
Key new options in iOS 17.4 embrace main App Retailer adjustments within the EU, Apple Podcasts transcripts, SharePlay for the HomePod, and new emoji. The replace additionally consists of preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay later this yr.
Apple’s press launch affirmation that iOS 17.4 shall 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 scale back them. These safeguards shall be in place when customers obtain iOS 17.4 or later, starting in March.
Extra particulars in regards to the new options and adjustments in iOS 17.4 observe.
App Retailer Modifications in EU
To adjust to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple introduced main adjustments to the App Retailer, Apple Pay, Safari, and extra. These adjustments shall be carried out 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 fee choices on the App Retailer within the EU. Different adjustments within the EU embrace a brand new default internet browser choice display in Safari, the power for third-party internet browsers to make use of internet engines aside from Apple’s WebKit on the iPhone, the power for third-party cell pockets apps to entry the iPhone’s NFC chip for contactless fee performance, and extra.
For extra particulars, learn our recap of all the EU adjustments in iOS 17.4 and Apple’s overview.
Apple Podcasts Transcripts
Beginning with iOS 17.4, the Apple Podcasts app now gives transcripts for podcasts, permitting listeners to learn the complete textual content of an episode, seek for a selected 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, just like Apple Music music lyrics.
Apple says it mechanically generates transcripts after a brand new episode is revealed. 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 mates to manage the music that’s enjoying in your HomePod, in the event you approve their request. For now, it’s restricted to the Music app, and the opposite individuals don’t require an Apple Music subscription in an effort to take part.
Whereas enjoying a music in your iPhone, faucet the SharePlay icon on the backside of the display to convey up a QR code, which one other individual can scan with their iPhone or Android smartphone’s digicam to request entry to music playback controls. Even a screenshot of the QR code suffices, permitting you to remotely grant entry to individuals all over the world.
Apple already rolled out a comparable function for CarPlay final yr, permitting anybody in a automotive to manage music playback by way of 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-Technology CarPlay Preparations
The primary iOS 17.4 beta consists of code for eight new CarPlay apps:
- Auto Settings: This app will allow you to handle paired iPhones and alter automobile settings.
- Automotive Digicam: This app will show the automobile’s rear-view digicam feed.
- Cost: For electrical autos, this app will show battery stage, charging standing, time remaining till the battery is absolutely charged, and extra.
- Local weather: This app will present entry to a automobile’s local weather controls inside CarPlay, permitting you to regulate the temperature of the A/C or heating system, fan pace, heated seats, heated steering wheel, and extra.
- Closures: This app will show if any of the automobile’s doorways are opened, and it may additionally show automobile 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, reminiscent of High 40 and Rock.
- Tire Stress: This app will show air stress for every of the automobile’s tires, and supply low stress, excessive stress, and flat tire warnings.
- Journeys: This app will present quite a lot of driving-related information, together with the automobile’s common pace, gas effectivity or power effectivity, the overall time elapsed and distance traveled on a visit, and extra.
Apple just lately confirmed that the primary U.S. automobile fashions with next-generation CarPlay shall be launched sooner or later in 2024.
Extra
Learn our full listing of iOS 17.4 options to find out about extra adjustments, together with Reside Actions assist for the Clock app’s stopwatch, and the “Hear Now” tab being renamed to “House” within the Apple Music and Apple Podcasts apps.
