The latest iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 updates are rolling out to compatible devices, and it brings some big changes for the European Union (EU).
Early this year, Apple announced that it would comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the EU. And March 6 is the official deadline for designated companies (including Apple) to comply with the mandate.
Chief among the new features is that iOS will now support ‘alternative app marketplaces’. Essentially, this means iPhone and iPad users will be able to get their apps from other app marketplaces besides the App Store.
Moreover, other web browsers are now allowed to use other rendering engines, not just Apple’s WebKit. Apple is also allowing NFC connection to other wireless payments beyond Apple Pay.
These new features are game-changing to users in the EU, to say the least, giving them more options other than what Apple offers them.
Elsewhere, the update also brings other features and bug fixes for everyone else. There is a new mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji on the emoji keyboard. Apple also added 18 people and body emojis to face them in either direction.
Apple Podcasts added automatic transcriptions in English, Spanish, French, and German. Siri also has a new option to announce messages received in any supported language. Stolen Device Protection includes increased security in all locations. Battery Health will now show battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
If you haven’t received the notification yet, you can check if iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 updates are available for download on eligible iPhones and iPads by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
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