iOS 17.4 : iPhone Update Arrival

 iOS 17.4 Will Add New Features to Your iPhone

Apple last month confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March, and the update includes several new features and changes for the iPhone. Key new features in iOS 17.4 include major App Store changes in the EU and Apple Podcasts transcripts. The update also adds new emoji and includes preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay. Apple’s iOS 17.4 update along with game-changing new features will transform your iPhone forever.

App Store Changes for EU

To comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple announced major changes to the App Store, Apple Pay, Safari and more. These changes will be implemented with iOS 17.4 for iPhone users who reside in the 27 countries included in the EU. Apple’s iOS 17.4 comes with huge implications for iPhone users based in the EU, because the upgrade allows iOS sideloading, opening up the App Store and platform for the first time to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple now allows alternative app marketplaces and alternative payment options on the App Store in the EU. Other changes in the EU include a new default web browser selection screen in Safari, the ability for third-party web browsers to use web engines other than Apple's WebKit on the iPhone, the ability for third-party mobile wallet apps to access the iPhone's NFC chip for contactless payment functionality, and more.

Apple Podcasts Transcripts

Starting with iOS 17.4, the Apple Podcasts app now offers transcripts for podcasts, allowing listeners to read the full text of an episode, search for a specific word or phrase, and tap on the text to jump to a certain part of the episode. As an episode plays, each word is highlighted, similar to Apple Music song lyrics. Apple says it automatically generates transcripts after a new episode is published. Transcripts are available for podcasts in English, French, German and Spanish, and they will be added for older episodes in a podcast's catalogue in the near future.

Apple’s iOS 17.4 Allows iOS Sideloading

The headline iOS 17.4 change—for users in the EU at least—is the fact the upgrade opens up the iPhone to sideloading apps. Sideloading has been possible for Google’s Android users for some time, but Apple’s locked down ecosystem is the reason many security-conscious users buy an iPhone. The iPhone maker acknowledges the iOS 17.4 changes will impact security, and it’s been vocal so far about the safeguards it has put in place for users. Apple will only allow certain app stores it calls “App Marketplaces” to distribute apps, followings its rules and stipulations. It is also using Notarization for iOS apps, a form of security verification that checks for malicious code, as well as an authorization for marketplace developers and disclosures on alternative payments. However even with these safeguards in place, “many risks remain,” Apple said.

New Emoji

iOS 17.4 adds new emoji, including a broken chain, a brown mushroom, a head shaking horizontally, a head shaking vertically, a lime and a phoenix.

iOS 17.4 Removes Support for Home Screen Web Apps

EU based iOS 17.4 beta users have noticed that they couldn’t run web apps on their iPhone’s Home Screen. Some people thought it might be a bug, but it’s now clear this isn’t the case. Apple has confirmed PWAs have been removed intentionally and won’t be running in iOS 17.4 for EU based users. In an update on its developer site, Apple explains how the move in iOS 17.4 to no longer support PWAs allows it to comply with the DMA, which stipulates it supports alternative browser engines in the EU. The regulation means companies can build browsers that aren’t based on Apple’s WebKit engine for the first time. The resulting threat to security means it has to remove Home Screen web apps in iOS 17.4, Apple says. From iOS 17.4, Apple has also removed support for Home Screen web apps in Safari to comply with the DMA.

Next-Generation CarPlay Preparations

The first iOS 17.4 beta includes code for following eight new CarPlay apps:-

Climate 

This app will provide access to a vehicle's climate controls within CarPlay, allowing you to adjust the temperature of the A/C or heating system, fan speed, heated seats, heated steering wheel.

Car Camera 

This app will display the vehicle's rear-view camera feed.

Closures 

This app will display if any of the vehicle's doors are opened and it might also display vehicle warning symbols.

Auto Settings 

This app will let you manage paired iPhones and adjust vehicle settings.

Media 

This app will provide access to FM and AM radio station controls within CarPlay, along with other media options like SiriusXM. It is unclear if SiriusXM will offer satellite connectivity, or remain limited to internet streaming. Users will be able to select from a list of music genres, such as Top 40 and Rock.

Tire Pressure 

This app will display air pressure for each of the vehicle's tires and provide low pressure, high pressure, and flat tire warnings.

Trips 

This app will provide a variety of driving-related data, including the vehicle's average speed, fuel efficiency or energy efficiency, the total time elapsed and distance travelled on a trip and more.

Charge 

For electric vehicles, this app will display battery level, charging status, time remaining until the battery is fully charged and more.

First US vehicle models with next-generation CarPlay will be released within this year.

“The iOS system has traditionally provided support for Home Screen web apps by building directly on WebKit and its security architecture. This integration means Home Screen web apps are managed to align with the security and privacy model for native apps on iOS, including isolation of storage and enforcement of system prompts to access privacy impacting capabilities on a per-site basis. “Without this type of isolation and enforcement, malicious web apps could read data from other web apps and recapture their permissions to gain access to a user’s camera, microphone or location without a user’s consent. Browsers also could install web apps on the system without a user’s awareness and consent.” From iOS 17.4, EU users will be able to continue accessing websites directly from their Home Screen through a bookmark.

However, Sean Wright, head of application security at Featurespace says he can “relate to the thought and reasoning behind Apple’s decision. With the ability to download and install browsers from sources outside of Apple’s control and visibility, they are concerned that they might not adhere to security and privacy standards they would like to enforce,” Wright explains. Wright therefore agrees with Apple’s iOS 17.4 PWA change. “We have to remember that many users will not have the appropriate technical knowledge and know-how to protect themselves, so having this in place allows Apple to help, to some degree.” At the same time, Wright says he’s “curious if there are details from Apple about just how much of a risk this poses. After all we have open systems such as Android and it doesn’t appear to be, at least currently, too much of a risk.”

Notable iOS 17.4 Features

One of the headline features in iOS 17.3 is Stolen Device Protection and iOS 17.4 will enhance this popular anti-theft capability even more. Currently, the feature requires people to authenticate via Face ID or Touch ID and there’s an hour’s delay when changing security settings, unless Apple detects they are in a familiar location. From iOS 17.4, Apple will add a feature allowing you to require an hour’s delay from all locations.

It’s certainly a game-changing update and it's not far away. Apple has to release its upgrade in early March to meet the deadline. When it does arrive, there’s no doubt iOS 17.4 is a significant update for EU-based users, with implications that also impact the rest of the world. Opening up the App Store is a big deal for the iPhone maker, and regulation in the UK could force its hand even though the country is no longer in the EU. For the rest of the world, users and regulators can also demand the changes. Anything is possible, just wait and see.