Another week we have a meeting with the Betas at Apple and this time we have the iOS 17.4 Beta 4with iPadOS 17.4, in addition to macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4 and watchOS 10.4.
Three consecutive weeks with the Betas ofUpcoming updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV, even the new Vision Pro. On February 6, Apple launched Beta 2 of these systems, a week later, on February 13, Beta 3 and today, a week later, Beta 4. Apple is still in the race to refine these new versions, focused on new features that must be added to their system to comply with European regulations and thus avoid possible fines. The new features included are:
- 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 permitted. 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.
- New option in CarPlay that allows you to see the directions to follow on your route on the driver’s screen. This option is only available in vehicles compatible with CarPlay dual screen.
- New option in Battery Settings that allows you to see the battery status (Normal or other) on the initial screen of that setting, without having to enter the Battery Health menu.
- In Apple Podcasts, the playback bar has been redesigned and now appears to “float” at the bottom of the app.
The rest of the operating systems bring few new features, and certainly none that are particularly noteworthy, although there are always the classic performance improvements and error fixes, in addition to highly recommended security updates that resolve vulnerabilities. Final versions are expected to arrive in March.
