Release of New iOS Features by Apple

 Apple is Planning to Release 8 New iOS Features in 2024

The calendar has turned to 2024, and there are many new iOS 17 and iOS 18 features that are expected to launch throughout the year. Apple gears up to introduce a range of exciting iOS 17 and iOS 18 features throughout the year. Below, we have covered new iOS features expected in 2024. These are Stolen Device Protection, collaborative Apple Music playlists, AirPlay on hotel room TVs and app sideloading in the EU. Other features are next-generation CarPlay, roadside assistance via satellite outside of the US, RCS support in the Messages app, and generative AI for Siri. Here’s a rundown of what’s anticipated to launch in 2024:-

Apple Music Collaborative Playlists

Apple Music subscribers will soon enjoy the ability to create, modify and add songs to shared playlists, including leaving animated emoji reactions. This feature was initially expected to launch with iOS 17.2, but it was removed from that update towards the end of the beta testing period. The feature was re-added in iOS 17.3, and Apple's website confirms that it will return in 2024.

Next-Generation CarPlay

Deeper integration with vehicle controls, multiple dashboard displays, widgets and a dedicated FM radio app are part of the enhanced CarPlay experience. Apple said that the first vehicles with support for its next-generation CarPlay system would be announced in late 2023, and it delivered on that promise with just days to spare. Earlier this month, Aston Martin and Porsche previewed what the next-generation CarPlay experience will look like in some of their upcoming vehicles.  Aston Martin confirmed that it will release its first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay in 2024, but there is no specific timeframe, and details remain slim. Apple first previewed the next-generation CarPlay experience in June 2022, promising deeper integration with the instrument cluster and climate controls, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, a dedicated FM radio app, widgets and more. The interface can be tailored to each specific vehicle model and automaker's brand identity. When first unveiling next-generation CarPlay last year, Apple said committed automakers included Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault and Volvo. Beyond the addition of Aston Martin, it's unclear if this list has changed since that initial announcement.

RCS Support

Apple plans to incorporate RCS into the Messages app in iOS 18. This feature will also enhance communication between iPhones and Android devices. In November, Apple announced that it will support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting "later next year," so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature.  RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:

Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android devices

Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users

Improved encryption compared to SMS

Higher-resolution photos and videos

Audio messages

Typing indicators

Read receipts

These modern features are already available for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations with blue bubbles, via iMessage, and many of the features are also available in third-party messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on the iPhone will extend the features to green bubbles in the Messages app.

Stolen Device Protection

 Following reports of iPhone thefts accompanied by password spying, Apple aims to tackle this issue. This feature adds extra layers of security if your iPhone is stolen and the passcode is compromised. Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported about thieves spying on an iPhone user's passcode before stealing the device, often in public places like bars. With knowledge of the passcode, the thief can then change the victim's Apple ID password, turn off Find My, and more to gain full control of the device. The thief can also use the passcode to gain access to passwords stored in iCloud Keychain and other sensitive information. Stolen Device Protection is Apple's hopeful solution to the problem. Apple says the feature is designed to add an additional layer of security in the event someone has stolen your iPhone and also obtained the device's passcode. When the feature is turned ON, Face ID or Touch ID authentication is strictly required for the following actions, with a passcode fall  back no longer available:

Accessing passwords or passkeys saved in iCloud Keychain

Taking certain Apple Cash and Apple Card Savings actions in the Wallet app

Using payment methods saved in Safari

Applying for a new Apple Card or viewing an Apple Card's virtual number

Turning OFF Lost Mode

Erasing all content and settings

Using your iPhone to set up a new device

For especially sensitive actions, including changing the password of the Apple ID account associated with the iPhone, the feature adds a one-hour security delay on top of biometric authentication. In these cases, the user must authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, wait one hour, and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID again. However, Apple says there is no delay when the iPhone is in familiar locations, such as at home or work.

Actions that require Face ID or Touch ID authentication, and have a one-hour security delay, when the feature is turned ON:-

Changing your Apple ID password

Updating select Apple ID security settings, including adding or removing a trusted device, trusted phone number, Recovery Key or Recovery Contact

Changing your iPhone passcode

Adding or removing Face ID or Touch ID

Turning OFF Find My

Turning OFF Stolen Device Protection

Stolen Device Protection is an opt-in feature which can be found in the Settings app under Face ID & Passcode, and it is available for all iPhones that are compatible with iOS 17. iPhone users who update to the iOS 17.3 beta are able to preview the feature. Apple plans to share additional information about the feature once iOS 17.3 is released for everyone.

Smarter Siri

iOS 18 may bring generative AI to Siri. It will potentially improve response capabilities. It will also offer enhanced automation across various Apple apps. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects that "should improve how both Siri and the Messages app can field questions and auto-complete sentences." He said Apple has also explored generative AI features for other apps across its platforms, including Apple Music, Pages, Keynote and Xcode. The Information reported that Apple plans to incorporate large language models into Siri to let users automate complex tasks, a feature that would involve deeper integration with the Shortcuts app. This feature is expected to be released in an iPhone software update coming in 2024, which would likely be iOS 18. Generative AI surged in popularity last year when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot which can respond to questions and other prompts. Google and Microsoft released similar chatbots earlier this year, as more companies race into the space. The chatbots are trained on large language models, allowing them to respond like a human. 

AirPlay on Hotel Room TVs

An upcoming update will enable iPhone users to wirelessly stream videos, photos and music to hotel room TVs via AirPlay by scanning a QR code. Following the release of iOS 17.2, Apple updated its website to indicate that an AirPlay feature for hotel room TVs has been delayed until next year. Apple originally said the feature was "coming later this year," but it now says it will be "coming in an update in 2024." Apple did not provide a more specific timeframe, but the feature should be added in an iOS 17 update in the first half of next year. Google already offers a similar feature on some hotel TVs, allowing guests to stream content from their smartphone via Chromecast. Apple in June said Holiday Inn parent company IHG Hotels & Resorts would be one of the first hotel chains to adopt the feature.

App Side loading in EU

To comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple may allow app side loading, permitting app installations outside the App Store, initially in EU countries. This would allow users to install apps outside of Apple's App Store, but the change is only expected to be made in European Union countries, at least initially. There were reports that app side loading in the EU to roll out in an iOS 17 update released in the first half of 2024.

 

Roadside Assistance via Satellite Outside US

Certain iPhone models in the US will offer a roadside assistance feature via satellite, extending support to situations without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Starting with iOS 17, all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models offer a roadside assistance via satellite feature that allows users in the US to contact roadside assistance company AAA for vehicle service when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Apple said the feature is available "beginning" in the US, so it will likely expand to some additional countries in 2024.

These upcoming features promise substantial improvements and expansions to the iOS ecosystem, making 2024 an exciting year for iPhone users.