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.

Via

Featured image: MacRumors

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