Apple has just launched the latest beta version of iOS 17.4whose final version intended for the entire public will arrive next week, and has also made public the list of changes made to this new version.
Many new features in iOS 17.4 will be limited to Europe, due to new legislation on digital markets, but there are other universal changes as well. The full list of changes is as follows:
- Third-party stores may be installed where we can purchase and download applications outside of the App Store. These app stores can be set as default instead of the App Store. (Europe only)
- Payment methods external to Apple will be allowed. Developers can include other payment methods and can even link to other websites to create them. (Europe only)
- Internet browsing applications will be able to use their own engines instead of being forced to use WebKit, the Safari engine. (Europe only)
- Banks and payment apps will have access to the iPhone’s NFC to be able to use their own payment platforms other than Apple Pay. These payment methods can be configured by default. (Europe only)
- Cloud gaming applications will be allowed. GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud and other platforms will be able to have their own applications without relying on Safari to function.
- New Emoji including: mushroom, lime, phoenix, broken chain, head saying ‘yes’ and head saying ‘no’.
- Ability for Siri to read messages in the language of your choice.
- The “Listen Now” tab is now “Home” in the Podcasts and Music apps.
- Podcasts will offer you automatic transcriptions of the podcast you are listening to.
- Safari’s navigation bar is longer.
- iPhone Theft Protection (released in iOS 14.3) lets you choose whether the one-hour delay for making certain changes is always required or only when you’re away from your familiar locations.
- CarPlay improvements (when the new version is released, for now only in the USA).
- SharePlay can now also be used on HomePod and Apple TV.
- The timer now has live activity on the lock screen.
- In the App Store, in your account, you have a purchase history that includes all purchases made, not just apps.
- Music Recognition lets you add songs you’ve identified to your Apple Music playlists and library, as well as Apple Music Classical.
- Siri has a new option to announce messages you receive in any supported language.
- Battery health in Settings shows the number of battery cycles, date of manufacture, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
- Caller ID displays Apple-verified company name, logo, and service name when available.
- Apple Cash virtual card numbers let you pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don’t already have Apple Pay by entering your wallet number or using Safari Autofill.
- Fixes an issue where contact images are blank in search.
- Fixes an issue for Dual SIM users where the phone number changes from primary to secondary and is visible to a group they have messaged.
More iOS 17.4 We also have new versions for the rest of the operating systemsbut with very minor changes that are barely worth mentioning, except of course the security improvements.
