Apple
Apple will introduce these New Features in iOS 17.4 Stable Update by March
Last Month, i.e. January 2024, Apple’s press note confirmed that the stable version of iOS 17.4 will be released in March. Also, this update includes new features along with some new changes.
Inevitably, the new options for developers’ EU apps create new risks to Apple users and their devices. Apple can’t eliminate those risks, but within the DMA’s constraints, the company will take steps to reduce them. These safeguards will be in place when users download iOS 17.4 or later, beginning in March.
If we talk about new features, this new iOS 17.4 includes major App Store changes in the EU, SharePlay for HomePad, Apple Podcasts transcripts, and new emoji. Moreover, this update also includes preparing for Apple’s next-generation CarPlay the same year.
Changes in the Apple’s App Store in the EU
To abide by the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple has announced major changes to the App Store, Safari, Apple Pay, etc. These changes are going to be executed for iPhone users in 27 countries that belong to the EU with this new iOS 17.4 update.
Now, after this 17.4 update, iPhone/ iPad users in the EU will be able to use alternate app stores instead of Apple’s inbuilt App Store. Also, this new update includes a screen from which you can choose your default web browser. Moreover, Third-Party Web Browsers such as Google Chrome, Opera Mini, etc now gained the ability to use web engines rather than Apple’s WebKit on the iPhone. Furthermore, with this update, third-party mobile wallet apps can access the iPhone’s NFC chip for contactless payment functionality.
Addition of New Emoji
iOS 17.4 brings new emojis such as a brown mushroom, a broken chain, a head shaking horizontally, a head shaking vertically, a phoenix, and a lime.
Preparations of Next-Generation CarPlay
As we know, the first beta of iOS 17.4 includes code for eight new CarPlay apps:
- Car Camera: This app displays the rear-view camera feed.
- Charge: In EVs (electric vehicles), this app shows the charging status, battery level, and time remaining until the battery is fully charged.
- Auto Settings: With this app, you can manage paired iPhones and adjust vehicle settings as well.
- Closures: This app displays, if any door/doors of the vehicle are opened, and it may also display vehicle warning symbols.
- Media: This app will provide access to FM and AM radio station controls within CarPlay, along with other media options like SiriusXM. For now, it is not confirmed whether SiriusXM will offer satellite connectivity, or remain limited to internet streaming. Users can select from a list of music genres, such as Top 40 and Rock.
- Trips: This app will provide you the various driving-related data, such as the vehicle’s average speed, fuel/ energy efficiency, the average speed of the vehicle, total time elapsed, distance traveled on a trip, and many more.
- Tire Pressure: This app will display the air pressure for every tire of the vehicle. The app will also provide low, high, and flat tire warnings as well.
- Climate: This app will provide you the access to vehicle’s climate controls within CarPlay. It also allows you to adjust the temperature of the A/C or heating system, fan speed, heated steering wheel, heated seats, and many more.
Apple has recently confirmed that the first U.S. vehicle models with the next-gen CarPlay will be released eventually in 2024.
Apple Podcasts Transcripts
After the iOS 17.4 update, the Apple Podcast app offers you transcripts for podcasts which allows listeners to read the full text of an episode, tap on the text to jump to a specific part of the episode, and search for a specific word or phrase. As we saw in Apple Music song lyrics, when an episode plays, each word will be highlighted.
According to Apple, the transcripts will be generated automatically after a new episode is published. Transcripts are available for podcasts in English, French, German, and Spanish, and they will be added to older episodes in a podcast’s catalog over time.
SharePlay for HomePod
Last but not least, with iOS 17.4, Apple has expanded SharePlay music control to HomePod speakers. This will allow family and friends to control the music that is being played on your HomePod after you approve their request.
When you play a song on your iPhone, tap the SharePlay icon which is present at the bottom of the screen to bring up the QR Code, which has to be scanned by another person with their iPhone or with an Android phone camera to request access to music playback controls. You can also do this with the screenshot of the QR Code, which allows users to remotely grant access to people all around the world.
For now, it is limited to the Apple Music app, and other people don’t require a subscription to participate. A similar feature was already rolled out by Apple for CarPlay last year which allows anyone in the car to control music playback via SharePlay with permission.
Featured image: MacRumors
iOS
iOS 26.4 Beta 3 Released: Apple Rolls Out Revised Developer Build With New Apple Music and Security Updates
Apple Releases Revised iOS 26.4 Beta 3 for Developers
iOS 26.4 Beta 3 has been released by Apple as a revised build for developers, bringing several refinements ahead of the stable public rollout. The update follows the earlier beta version and appears to focus on improving stability, security protections, and Apple Music features.
The revised beta build is currently available to registered developers through the Software Update section in Settings. Apple occasionally pushes revised beta builds when bugs or installation issues are discovered in the original release.
One of the most notable changes in iOS 26.4 Beta 3 is the expansion of messaging security features. Apple is reportedly testing end-to-end encryption support for RCS messaging, which could significantly improve privacy when communicating between iPhone and Android devices.
New Apple Music Features and System Improvements
Another highlight in the update is a new experimental feature inside Apple Music called Playlist Playground. This feature uses AI-driven prompts to generate playlists based on user preferences or mood, making music discovery more interactive.
Apple Music is also gaining a Concerts Near You discovery section. This feature helps users find nearby live music events related to artists they listen to frequently, improving the integration between music streaming and live performances.
Security improvements are also part of the update. Apple has enabled Stolen Device Protection by default, which strengthens security when an iPhone is stolen by requiring biometric authentication for sensitive actions.
In addition, the beta introduces a new Ambient Music widget, allowing users to quickly start relaxing audio from the home screen. Apple has also reportedly made adjustments to sleep tracking metrics to provide more accurate insights for users who rely on the Health ecosystem.
Although these changes are still being tested, they offer a clear look at Apple’s direction with iOS 26.4. The company is focusing on improving privacy, expanding AI-powered features, and enhancing the overall ecosystem experience.
The final version of iOS 26.4 is expected to roll out to the public after Apple completes the developer and public beta testing cycle.
Source: macrumors
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iOS 26.3 update has just been released by Apple and comes with an urgent warning for all iPhone users to install it now. According to the latest reports, the new software fixes 39 known security vulnerabilities, including at least one flaw that may have been actively exploited in attacks, making it critical to update as soon as possible.
Why the iOS 26.3 Update Is Important for Your iPhone Security
Security is at the heart of this release. Apple’s iOS updates often include patches for vulnerabilities that could allow malicious apps or hackers to gain unauthorised access to your device or data. With iOS 26.3, a wide range of weaknesses across the system has been addressed, and some of them could potentially affect sensitive parts of the operating system if left unpatched.
Notably, one of the patched issues was reportedly being used in real-world attacks, which underscores why delaying this update could expose your iPhone to unnecessary risk. Apple’s official support documentation also highlights that keeping your device updated with the latest security content is essential to ensuring your device remains protected.
What the iOS 26.3 Update Fixes and Improves
While this update is primarily focused on fixing security flaws, iOS 26.3 also brings some quality-of-life improvements:
- Improved iPhone-to-Android transfer tool to make switching platforms easier.
- A set of new weather-themed wallpapers and subtle customization tweaks.
- Additional privacy settings that help limit carrier location tracking on certain devices.
These additions show Apple’s commitment to both enhancing device usability and strengthening user protection.
How to Install the iOS 26.3 Update on Your iPhone
Updating your iPhone to iOS 26.3 is straightforward:
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install and follow the prompts.
It’s always a good idea to back up your data before installing any major software update.
This update is recommended for all compatible iPhone users to ensure your device remains secure and up-to-date with Apple’s latest patches and enhancements.
Also Read: Siri Features Delayed iOS 26.4: Apple Pushes Major AI Upgrade to Future Updates
Siri Features Delayed iOS 26.4 has become a major talking point among iPhone users as Apple reportedly hits setbacks in bringing the next era of its intelligent voice assistant to the spring software update cycle. According to new reports from MacRumors and Bloomberg, Apple encountered internal testing issues that could defer many of the redesign improvements to later updates, such as iOS 26.5 and even iOS 27.
Why Siri Features Delayed iOS 26.4 Update Matters
Apple planned iOS 26.4 to introduce a smarter, more personalized version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence and external technologies, but the company has “run into snags” while testing the assistant’s performance and reliability. The issues reportedly include occasional slow responses, mistakes in processing user queries, and dependency on fallback systems instead of expected AI mechanisms.
What Features Are Being Postponed?
Instead of receiving all advanced Siri features with iOS 26.4, users are more likely to see only partial updates initially — possibly limited to smaller enhancements while core AI capabilities arrive later. Apple engineers are now reportedly using internal iOS 26.5 builds in May as a fresh testing ground for these postponed features.
Beyond that, Apple’s broader vision for Siri evolves with iOS 27, where a full AI-driven chatbot experience is expected to compete with services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. This hints at the possibility that the most ambitious elements of Apple’s Siri overhaul won’t land until late 2026 or even into 2027.
What This Means for the iOS Update Timeline
Originally announced in 2024 as a major generational leap for Siri, the personalized and proactive assistant design has already been delayed multiple times. Pushing advanced Siri features beyond iOS 26.4 underscores the challenges Apple faces when merging deep machine learning with real-world voice experience on millions of devices.
Final Thoughts
For many iPhone users, the excitement around Apple’s next Siri release remains strong, but patience will be required. Whether you’re an early adopter or a cautious updater, keeping an eye on Apple’s beta updates and developer releases will be key to understanding when the full scope of Siri’s AI upgrade finally arrives.
Image: Gimini AI
Source: Macrumors
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