The iOS update has arrived for everyone. But European users get a big bonus over others. Major changes that could well shake up Apple’s ecosystem.
Like other major global tech players, Apple must comply with the new rules of the European Commission laid down in the Digital Markets Act (DMA), i.e. the regulation on digital markets in French which comes into force on March 6, 2024. For the apple firm represents a revolution – to use a term that it particularly likes – but which it would have done well without. Because the DMA means the end of Apple’s control over its ecosystem, in place since the beginnings of the iPhone. The DMA forces the large digital multinationals such as Alaphabet (Google), Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.), Amazon, Microsoft, ByteDance (TikTok) and therefore Apple to open up to competition. Concerning Apple, this new legislation results in the obligation to open the doors of iOS, the system that powers its iPhones, a little more. A major change in its hitherto very hermetic ecosystem, which could lead to a drop in its revenues.
iOS 17.4: the end of the App Store monopoly
The first major consequence of the DMA concerns the App Store, Apple’s app store, a necessary step for downloading new applications on the iPhone. Since iOS 17.4, the App Store monopoly is no longer. European users can now, if they wish, freely turn to other online stores such as SetApp for example, or even directly from third-party publishers with their own store to find their apps. The operation was previously possible with the “jailbreak” of the device, in other words, its software unlocking which however resulted in the loss of warranty. It is therefore a whole range of apps that have until now been banned from the App Store because they do not meet the rules laid down by Apple (games, apps with sensitive content, P2P download tools, etc.) which are becoming suddenly accessible. Each store will itself determine the security rules for the apps offered on its shelves. But iOS should monitor the content of downloads to avoid malware with ” Additional malware protections prevent iOS apps identified as containing malicious code from launching after being installed on a device ” indicates the firm on his website.
The end of the App Store monopoly results in another consequence. Publishers present in the firm’s online store will also be able to refuse the 30% commission recovered by Apple on sales. They will be able to use their own payment system to be paid directly. A provision which should also disrupt App Store revenues. Apple nevertheless indicates that, after one million downloads of an app, developers will have to pay the company 0.50 euros for each new download.
DMA: Apple Pay in the crosshairs
Another consequence of the DMA is the possibility for European banks to offer a payment app using the iPhone’s NFC chip as well as the famous double press on the device’s power button to initiate payment. This component was until now reserved for Apple Pay, the in-house payment system, and open to certain other uses at Apple’s discretion. Banks will therefore no longer be forced to take a circuitous route through Apple Pay to offer contactless payment to their users. A real blow for Apple which could well see its Apple Pay system deserted by the banks. At least in Europe.
iOS 17.4 and DMA: Safari is no longer the master of the Web
If until then we could freely download and use other Web browsers on the iPhone (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, etc.), Safari, the in-house browser, remained the real master on board, an indestructible browser by default. With iOS 17.4, its reign ends. No less than 11 other browsers are offered to replace it if the user wishes. It is possible to change the default browser at any time from the iOS settings.
Furthermore, the choice of browser rendering engine is left to the discretion of its publisher. This can therefore abandon WebKit, Apple’s engine, in favor of other engines like Gecko (used in Firefox) or even Blink in Chrome. However, this option is only valid on European soil.
iOS 17.4: all the new features of the update
The radical changes cited above affecting iOS due to compliance with the DMA only affect European users. This new version of Apple’s mobile system includes other additions, this time deployed globally.
“Hey Siri” becomes Siri
There is no longer any need to say “Hey Siri” to call Apple’s voice assistant. From now on, a simple “Siri” is enough to wake him from his torpor. Furthermore, it is possible to chain requests without systematically requesting it. For example, you can ask for the weather forecast and then ask a question on a completely different subject without saying the keyword Siri.
More neutral family emojis
To avoid any controversy over the representation of a family, the family emoji that can be added to messages are no longer represented as faces but as simple silhouettes. In addition, six other new emojis take their place in the keyboard.
Battery cycle monitoring
On the iPhone 15, the battery settings include new information: the number of charging cycles carried out. It is added to the general state of health of the battery, its maximum charge capacity and its date of manufacture.
Cloud gaming in the iPhone
Until now banned on iPhones, cloud gaming (which allows you to play video games by drawing from a catalog put online by the publisher for a subscription) is becoming accessible. We should therefore not take long to see NVidia emerge with its GeForce Now offer, Microsoft with its GamePass, etc. pop up on iPhone.
Podcast transcription
Here’s a very practical new feature for podcast fans. It is now possible to obtain an on-screen transcription of the podcasts listened to. From there, everyone can conduct a search to find a phrase or spoken word and set the reading to the exact location.
Reinforced theft protection
Introduced with iOS 17.3, theft protection which prevents modification of the iPhone’s security code outside of known locations and requiring FaceID or TouchID is extended. It can now be applied in any circumstance, whether the location is known to the iPhone or not. This should reassure those who leave their iPhone lying around on their desk in an open space.
iOS 17.4 update is already available. Note that the iPadOS 17.4 update only includes general international changes. The new measures linked to DMA are not currently taken into account on iPad, as strange as it may seem. The update targets the same series of iPhones compatible with version 17, namely:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone Xr
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
To get it, open the device settings, choose General Then Software update. The update should be offered to you. Then just press the button To update.