10 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in Next Week's iOS 17.4 Update

[MacRumors]

Apple will this month release iOS 17.4, its biggest iPhone software update of the year so far, featuring a number of features and changes that users have been anticipating for quite a while.

Below, we've listed 10 new things that your iPhone will be able to do after you've installed the update, which is projected to arrive by March 7. When the day arrives, be sure to check Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update on your device to get downloading.

1. Generate Podcast Transcripts

Apple is adding audio transcripts to the Podcasts app for iPhone, meaning you'll be able to read along to your favorite podcasts as they are spoken. If you're familiar with lyrics in Apple Music, it's very similar.

You can also search the auto-generated podcast transcripts for specific words or phrases and jump to that point in the conversation, where you can then tap to skip to the audio track.

2. Protect Messages Against Quantum Attacks

Apple is bringing a new cryptographic security feature to iMessage called PQ3. This "groundbreaking" and "state-of-the-art" protocol provides "extensive defenses against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks," according to Apple.

Apple's iMessage service already supports end-to-end encryption, but Apple recognizes that existing cryptographic protocols used by messaging apps rely on mathematical problems that could potentially be solved by future quantum computers. The PQ3 protocol is Apple's solution to mitigate that risk.

3. Support for Next-Generation CarPlay

Next-generation CarPlay is set to launch in the U.S. later in 2024, and iOS 17.4 brings support for a slew of new apps, including climate control, tire pressure, rear-view camera feed, electric vehicle charging status, and more.

When Apple first announced next-generation CarPlay, it said committed automakers included Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo. Apple has not yet said if any next-generation CarPlay features will be made available in vehicles with classic CarPlay support.

4. Siri Reads Incoming Messages in Other Languages

Previously in iOS 17, ‌Siri‌'s interaction with Messages was limited to one option – the ability for ‌Siri‌ to automatically send your dictated messages without asking you to confirm them first.

In iOS 17.4, however, ‌Siri‌ can also read messages to you in another language different to the primary language that ‌Siri‌ listens to and responds in. It's a neat option to have if you are bilingual, for example, or you're learning a new language.

5. Stolen Device Protection Away From Home

To make it harder for a thief to access passcode-protected data on a stolen iPhone, Apple in iOS 17.3 included Stolen Device Protection. With the feature enabled, Face ID or Touch ID is required to access passwords in iCloud Keychain, Lost Mode settings, options for erasing the device, and making purchases in Safari.

In addition to the new biometric requirements, the feature also imposes a one-hour security delay on actions like changing an Apple ID password. New in iOS 17.4 is a supplemental option that only requires a security delay when your device is located away from familiar locations, such as your home or office.

6. Live Activity for Stopwatch

For some reason, Apple previously never offered Live Activity support for when you start a stopwatch in the Clock app, until now.

In iOS 17.4, any running Stopwatch now shows up in the Dynamic Island and on the Lock Screen, where there are controls for pausing the Stopwatch, clearing it, and starting a new lap.

7. Generate Apple Cash Virtual Card Numbers

iPhone owners running iOS 17.4 will be able to generate a virtual card number for spending Apple Cash when Apple Pay isn't an online option.

An Apple Cash pre-paid card allows users to send peer-to-peer Apple Pay payments to friends and family, transfer money to bank accounts, pay off their Apple Card, or spend money online via Apple Pay. With the new virtual card feature, Apple Cash users will be able to spend their balance even if Apple Pay is not supported by an online store.

8. App Support for Cloud Gaming Services

With iOS 17.4, streaming game apps will finally be allowed on the ‌App Store‌ worldwide, which means services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce NOW can be offered as standalone ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ apps.

Apple previously only allowed cloud gaming services to be offered via the web, but dedicated apps that let users stream games from servers will soon be permitted. Mini-app, mini-games, chatbots, and plug-ins will also be able to use the in-app purchase system.

9. Set a Contactless Payment Provider

In iOS 17.4, third-party payment applications and banks can utilize the NFC chip in iPhones to enable contactless payments directly through the device in the European Economic Area, bypassing the need for Apple Pay or the Wallet app. Users in this region will have the ability to choose a primary contact... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 10 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in Next Week's iOS 17.4 Update

 

[hagar]

Multilingual support for reading messages. Finally! It’s so annoying to hear Siri say “there’s a message in another language. Do you want me to read it?” Only to have it completely butchered.

I hope sending multilingual messages is also supported soon.

(Btw: Apple, please fix the iOS keyboard. It’s not automatically switching languages. Ever).

 

[Qubelek]

“Apple is bringing a new cryptographic security feature to iMessage called PQ3”

But they had to implement a backdoor for NSA, FBI, CIA, DIA and others according to the law xD Apple thinks we forgot about it.

The only safe messengers are those that are banned in the US or do not have servers there.

 

[polyphenol]

7. Generate Apple Cash Virtual Card Numbers​

iPhone owners running iOS 17.4 will be able to generate a virtual card number for spending Apple Cash when Apple Pay isn't an online option.

Would be rather nice to have this as an option outside the US. So far as I can tell, Apple Cash continues to be US-only.

I use Apple Pay quite a bit - but all too many UK retailers do not support it. A virtual card would be a great option and, for most of my purposes, could replace PayPal.

 

[Swissfashion]

Multilingual support for reading messages. Finally! It’s so annoying to hear Siri say “there’s a message in another language. Do you want me to read it?” Only to have it completely butchered.

I hope sending multilingual messages is also supported soon.

(Btw: Apple, please fix the iOS keyboard. It’s not automatically switching languages. Ever).

Yes, I‘ve seen nothing so far about telling Siri to write message answers in the same language as the original message. Or even better, being able to tell Siri in which language to answer.

 

[dialogos]

Siri's language support is disappointing, especially for multilingual users. It struggles with reading and replying in the original language, and even after updates, many languages are still missing. This problem isn't just with Siri; it extends to other Apple services like Translate. It's surprising how OpenAI supports a wide range of languages, including ancient ones, while Apple lags behind in providing basic global language support. For those of us who speak multiple languages, using Siri with iMessage feels like a joke.

 

[Reverend Benny]

Love that Apple focuses more on SDP, its needed...hopefully we will se even more of this in future updates. Keep it up Apple.


5. Stolen Device Protection Away From Home

To make it harder for a thief to access passcode-protected data on a stolen iPhone, Apple in iOS 17.3 included Stolen Device Protection. With the feature enabled, Face ID or Touch ID is required to access passwords in iCloud Keychain, Lost Mode settings, options for erasing the device, and making purchases in Safari.

In addition to the new biometric requirements, the feature also imposes a one-hour security delay on actions like changing an Apple ID password. New in iOS 17.4 is a supplemental option that only requires a security delay when your device is located away from familiar locations, such as your home or office.

 

[lysingur]

Now let Siri on HomePod be multilingual too.

 

[dialogos]

Now let Siri on HomePod be multilingual too.

Even with the latest update, Siri is still selectively multilingual, demonstrating an amazing inability to support all spoken languages—a feature Google has provided for years and OpenAI has offered since day 1.


Perhaps suggesting that Apple's lack of support for multilingual users is an inclusivity issue might prompt them to take our concerns more seriously.

 

[aleksander]

Siri's language support is disappointing, especially for multilingual users. It struggles with reading and replying in the original language, and even after updates, many languages are still missing. This problem isn't just with Siri; it extends to other Apple services like Translate. It's surprising how OpenAI supports a wide range of languages, including ancient ones, while Apple lags behind in providing basic global language support. For those of us who speak multiple languages, using Siri with iMessage feels like a joke.

Whoever is responsible for Siri and general language support should be fired. The fact it's been neglected for so long is mind boggling.

 

[Abazigal]

Is it just me, or did the list only go to 9?

 

[Beautyspin]

Nothing about emojis?

 

[one more]

“App developers in the EU will be able to offer alternative app stores or install their apps through alternative stores. This means users in the EU will be able to set their preferred alternative app store as the default app store on their device, rather than Apple's own App Store.”

Can developers opt to continue offering their app both on Apple’s App Store and an alternative store? If so, this might be a good option for any developers selling their apps for 2.50€ or more, as they still be gaining, even after Apple’s 0.50€ install fee.

 

[HackMacDaddy]

Censorship of Podcasts will skyrocket from this point going forward. Mark my words…

 

[Yenzi999]

What with older iPhones? iPhone X and older devices will not get iOS 17.4.

It looks like older iPhones will be outside the EU???

I guess, the implemented changes doesn't require the newest chip.

I would like to set alternative payment method on my kid's iPhone X (in Apple Wallet in my region it is not possible for kids under 16 years).

Also similar issue with lack of Senior Mode implementation on older iPhones (only available in iOS17).

Iphone X is perfectly fine for kids and seniors.

iOS 16 update implemening above basic features would be hugely welcome.

Mother Nature?

 

[StuBeck]

Hasn't Microsoft said they aren't releasing an app for streaming gaming after Apple blocked their earlier attempts to do so?

 

[mireki1975]

Stopwatch in Dynamic Island does not work with the latest 17.4 Developer Beta

 

[philstubbington]

Multilingual support for reading messages. Finally! It’s so annoying to hear Siri say “there’s a message in another language. Do you want me to read it?” Only to have it completely butchered.

I hope sending multilingual messages is also supported soon.

(Btw: Apple, please fix the iOS keyboard. It’s not automatically switching languages. Ever).

Completely agree. Microsoft do a much better job of translation than Google or Apple in my opinion.

 

[ghanwani]

Will it solve the eye strain problem?
Will it solve the overheating problem?

 

[jonnysods]

Wow I missed them allowing cloud gaming? Very interesting!

 

[Makosuke]

As someone who regularly gets messages in another language, I've long wished that Siri could correctly identify and switch languages on the fly as needed. We'll see how well it works, but I'm glad to finally see it.

 

[hagar]

As someone who regularly gets messages in another language, I've long wished that Siri could correctly identify and switch languages on the fly as needed. We'll see how well it works, but I'm glad to finally see it.

Exactly. But hopefully it works better than multilingual support in the keyboard. iOS should automatically shetich to the right keyboard but it never does. So the Autocorrect dictionary gets polluted with the wrong words and starts making suggestions in another language.

 

[LV426]

I've given up waiting for iOS17 CarPlay / Siri integration to work properly. Ever since iOS17.0 each time after I dictate an iMessage in my car, Siri says "You said... You said... You said..."

It's bonkers and very annoying. Maybe iOS18 will sort it out.

 

[Liam Steven]

I don’t fully understand why the new battery UI changes are only applicable to the newer iPhones…?

Perhaps someone with a better understanding could clarify.

 

[CLS9]

Is it just me, or did the list only go to 9?

I'm seeing 10.

Is it just me, or did the list only go to 9?