Apple releases iOS 17.4 with a new default browser prompt in the EU, support for third-party browser engines, transcripts for Podcasts, 118 new emojis, and more

Today, Apple released iOS and iPadOS 17.4, the fourth major updates to the operating systems that launched in September and Federico reviewed on MacStories.

MacStories 2024-03-06 Niléane

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@benedictevans Benedict Evans on threads
When lawyers think they should design operating systems. I can't decide which are funnier: the replies claiming it's Apple's fault this is bad or the replies claiming this is great.
@firerock31 Andy Cheng on threads
Dear EU friends, please expect your family will call you for support soon. Starting March 7, 2024, the EU users will be able to choose a default browser from a list of the most downloaded browsers in the market when they open Safari for the first time after they update to iOS 17…
@stevesi Steven Sinofsky on threads
So proud of my groundbreaking work on browser ballot to now see it on iPhone. Absurd. These aren't browsers. They're mostly forms of malware or irritantware. No matter, they are not all serious software. Soon one will be shown to be pure evil. …
@steven_aquino Steven Aquino on x
With today's release of iOS/iPadOS 17.4, it's an opportune time to re-up my piece from late January on the ramifications that transcripts will have in Apple Podcasts. This is a huge deal, and a show of Apple's might in terms of allocating resources. https://www.forbes.com/...
@tailosivetech @tailosivetech on x
The new Apple Podcasts Live transcription option is AMAZING 🤩 [video]
@tina__nigro Tina Debove Nigro on x
Thanks to the EU we have one more screen during the iPhone onboarding 🤡 Not everyone knows what a “browser” is, far from it. Why not ask for a default music player, default mail app, default camera app, while we're at it 😅 [image]
@firt Maximiliano Firtman on x
Safari 17.4 for web apps 🔥 —Non-WebKit browsers possible🧲iOS🇪 🇺 (no browsers yet) —🇪🇺PWAs working! WebKit-only —App Shortcuts🧲macOS —CSS Scoping —hr inside select —Switch style checkbox —Vorbis/WebM➕iOS/iPadOS/ visionOS —DatePicker show API —Manifest's category🧲macOS 🧲only
@dannymoerkerke Danny Moerkerke on x
iOS 17.4 is here and PWAs indeed work again like they did before in the EU: Notifications, badging, persistent storage and standalone mode work correctly [video]
@stephenrobles Stephen Robles on x
Apple Podcasts Transcripts are beautiful, searchable, and the background color changes via chapters! Plus, you can add a speaker-labeled transcript, like from @RiversidedotFM through your host, like @TransistorFM I used “The Other Guy” for the last Primary Technology episode 😏 [i…
@mysk_co @mysk_co on x
iOS 17.4 is out, and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are back 💪 #iOS #Apple #DMA [video]
@theapplehub @theapplehub on x
iOS 17.4 features a more detailed battery health section for iPhone 15 models Apple should add this to all iPhones... [image]
r/iphone r on reddit
Apple Releases iOS 17.4 With EU App Changes, New Emoji, Podcast Transcripts and More
@sdw Sebastiaan de With on x
European iPhone users will be on a timer once out of the EU: after a ‘grace period’, alternative app marketplaces will stop working. [image]
@zollotech Aaron Zollo on x
For those curious about Sideloading in the EU. You can't just fool it by changing your region. You have to be physically in the EU as it is using GPS information. [image]
@parkerortolani Parker Ortolani on x
this is BONKERS
@mysk_co @mysk_co on x
If you leave the EU for “too long,” you won't be able to update apps installed from alternative app marketplaces. This is not the case for the App Store. A German account can install apps and purchase content from the German App Store even if you're gone for “too long” [image]
@baekdal Thomas Baekdal on x
I'm so glad I have stopped buying any of Apple's products.
@eshumarneedi @eshumarneedi on x
This is so unnecessarily petty — I love it.
@florian4gamers Florian Mueller on x
This here is something that even someone who wants to perfectly comply with the EU DMA could reasonably do, provided that the “grace period” where the alternative app store still works outside the EU is a reasonable travel duration (including long vacation).
@zollotech Aaron Zollo on x
@pakaworld Apple doesn't need to know your location personally. The phone does and then unlocks those features based on that info. It's not sent to Apple.
@theryanprhodes Ryan on x
I love this level of pettiness [image]
@mysk_co @mysk_co on x
Now it is confirmed: 👉Users must have an Apple ID so that they can install alternative app marketplaces 👉Developers must have an Apple ID so that they can distribute their apps to alternative app marketplaces. What kind of compliance is this? [image]
@nexusben Ben Schoon on x
@ParkerOrtolani Genuinely how are they getting away with this crap
@stevesi Steven Sinofsky on x
OS 17.4 alternative iPhone app stores will stop working if you travel outside the EU // this isn't “malicious compliance” it's how jurisdiction works. The EU can't mandate software design and functionality where they do not govern and have accountability. https://9to5mac.com/...
@florian4gamers Florian Mueller on x
They may have strategically wanted to submit it before Apple's DMA rules take effect in a matter of < 24 hours now and require an “entitlement” etc. The March 18 DMA compliance workshop is also a key date for Spotify to discuss Apple's actions with the EC. 🧵2/2
@sdw Sebastiaan de With on x
Pretty telling that the pro-EU crowd argued the EU is addressing Apple's ‘monopoly position’ (holding a minority market share) with the DMA, but now applauding an EU decision that entrenches the de facto majority-market share music platform. (It just happens to be European) [imag…
@neilcybart Neil Cybart on x
Daniel, in your next video, can you address the following questions: 1) You spent years telling Wall Street that Apple / iOS posed no threat to Spotify's growth prospects. As you were saying this, Spotify met with the EU Commission dozens of times to argue that Apple posed a gri…
@florian4gamers Florian Mueller on x
The fight over compliance has begun: Spotify will provoke a situation where Apple rejects. They can either submit the most aggressive version first, then modify it based on Apple's feedback until they get approval, or they start conservatively, then stretch the envelope. 🧵1/2

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Apple releases iOS 17.4 with a new default browser prompt in the EU, support for third-party browser engines, transcripts for Podcasts, 118 new emojis, and more

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