What Can We Expect When iOS 17.4 is Released in March?

In late January, Apple confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be launched in March. The update includes several changes for the iPhone, including new features.

New features in iOS 17.4 include App Store changes in the European Union, a new transcripts feature in the Podcasts app, new emoji, and more. The new version also lays the groundwork for CarPlay 2.0, which will debut later this year.

Changes to the European Union App Store

Apple will be making several changes to the App Store, Apple Pay, and Safari in iOS 17.4 to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. The changes will be implemented for iPhone users residing in the 27 countries that belong to the EU.

Apple will now allow users to install apps from alternative app marketplaces, while also allowing alternative payment options in the EU App Store. EU users will also see a new default web browser selection option in Safari, while also allowing third-party iPhone web browsers to be powered by web engines other than Apple’s WebKit.

Apple will also allow third-party mobile wallet apps to have access to the iPhone’s NFC chip to allow contactless payment functionality.

Transcripts in Apple Podcasts

iOS 17.4 brings podcast transcripts to the Apple Podcasts app. Listeners will be able to read the full text of an episode, search for specific words or phrases, and be able to jump to a certain part of the episode by tapping on an item of text. As an episode plays, listeners will see each word highlighted, similar to how Apple Music song lyrics work.

Transcripts will be generated after each podcast episode is published, and Apple says transcripts will be added to older episodes over time. Transcripts will be available for podcasts in English, French, German, and Spanish.

SharePlay for HomePod

iOS 17.4 also brings expanded SharePlay Apple Music control to HomePod speakers and the Apple TV, allowing family and friends to control the music that is playing around your home — if you approve their control request.

While a song is playing on your iPhone, you can tap the SharePlay icon at the bottom of the screen, which displays a QR code that can be scanned by another user’s iPhone or Android smartphone, allowing them to request access to playback controls.

New Emoji

iOS 17.4 brings new emoji, including a phoenix, a lime, a mushroom, a shaking head vertically, a shaking head horizontally, a broken chain, and many more.

CarPlay 2.0 Groundwork

Apple has promised that its new CarPlay 2.0 infotainment system would debut in new vehicles by late 2024. As discovered by MacRumors, the current iOS 17.4 beta contains code for eight new CarPlay apps:

• Auto Settings –  The app allows users to manage their paired iPhones and adjust vehicle settings.
• Car Camera – Displays a vehicle’s rear-view camera feed.
• Charge – Display battery level, charging status, time remaining until the battery is fully charged, and more for electric vehicles.
• Climate – Provides access to a vehicle’s climate controls, allowing users to adjust the air conditioning or heating system, heated seats, heated steering wheel, and more.
• Closures – This app will warn if any of the vehicle’s doors are ajar, and may possibly display other vehicle warning symbols.
• Media – Provides access to Sirius XM, AM, and FM radio station controls within CarPlay.
• Tire Pressure – Displays air pressure for the vehicle’s tires, providing pressure and flat tire warnings.
• Trips – Provides driving-related data, including fuel/energy efficiency, the vehicle’s average speed, total time elapsed, trip distance, and more.

As iOS 17.4 is currently in testing, features could be changed or dropped completely from the update before it is released to the public. So, stay tuned.