🍎 iOS 17.4 Beta 2: New Features and Exciting Updates! 📱
Some of these features are now accessible to developers and beta testers.
iOS 17.4 Beta 2 Coming Soon – Exciting Features and Emoji for Your iPhone
Apple is back at it again with another beta release for iOS 17.4! This time, they’ve added some awesome new features and bug fixes to make the iPhone experience even better. As an avid tech-lover, I’m here to give you the lowdown on what’s new and exciting in this latest beta.
👉 But before we dive in, let’s address an important point: it’s always a good idea to download betas on a secondary device. Since this isn’t the final version of iOS 17.4, there may still be some bugs and battery life issues. So, keep your primary device safe and sound! 😉
Now, let’s take a closer look at the highlights of iOS 17.4 beta 2:
🌍 Downloading Other App Stores in the EU
Apple has made a groundbreaking change for people in the European Union (EU). With iOS 17.4 beta 1, users in the EU can now download alternative app stores and apps from outside the App Store. This marks one of the largest changes to the App Store since its inception in 2008. Plus, users will also have new default app controls, allowing for more customization options. It’s all part of Apple’s compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. 🎉
💳 More Options for In-App Payments
Apple is all about convenience, and they’ve introduced a new option for in-app payments in iOS 17.4 beta 1. Head over to “Settings > Privacy & Security” and you’ll find the “Contactless & NFC” option. Right now, it’s mostly a blank page, but it will soon display apps that have requested the ability to use contactless and NFC payments in the future. Whether this feature will go beyond the EU is still up in the air.
🌐 Regional Identifier No Longer Available
In the first beta of iOS 17.4, there was a regional identifier called Identifiable_Region. You could find it by going to “Settings > General > About” and scrolling to the bottom of the page. However, Apple has removed this regional identifier in beta 2. It might have been a hidden gem gone wrong, with a broken link and an odd naming convention. 🤷♂️
😄 At Least 100 New Emoji
Get ready for even more ways to express yourself with over 100 new emoji coming to iOS 17.4! These include expressive heads that shake up and down and left and right, a fiery phoenix, and a refreshing slice of lime. Apple announced these emoji back in 2023, and some Android devices, like the latest Samsung phones, already have them. Now, it’s finally our turn to join the emoji party! 🎉
🔒 More Stolen Device Protection Options
Apple knows how vital your data is, and they’ve added a few more options to Stolen Device Protection. You can now choose whether to always require a one-hour Security Delay to access certain settings or make changes, or only enforce the delay when you’re away from your familiar locations. It’s an extra layer of security that Apple recommends everyone turn on. Better safe than sorry, right? 😉
🎙️ Podcasts Can Now Show Transcripts
For all the podcast lovers out there, iOS 17.4 beta 1 brings a fantastic new feature. You can now read transcripts of your favorite podcasts while listening to them. Just open the Podcasts app, start playing a show, tap the show’s banner at the bottom, and look for the speech bubble button in the bottom left corner. It’s like having a built-in reading companion for your audio adventures! 🎧📖
⏰ Another Digital Clock Widget
Are you constantly on the move or live in a different time zone than your loved ones? Then Apple’s got your back with the City Digital digital clock widget. This widget displays the time and a set location, regardless of where your iPhone is at the moment. No more accidentally waking up Aunt Sally in the middle of the night! ⏰🌎
🏡 New Home Button in Music and Books Apps
Apple is all about consistency, and they’re bringing it to their Music and Books apps. iOS 17.4 beta 1 added a Home button at the bottom left corner of the screen, replacing Listen Now in Apple Music and Read Now in Books. With just one tap, you’ll have access to menus, recommendations, and more. It’s all about making your app experience seamless and intuitive. 🎵📚
🗣️ Siri Can Send Messages in More Languages
Siri is getting multilingual! With the first iOS 17.4 beta, you can now have Siri send messages in multiple languages. Just head to “Settings > Siri & Search” and explore the Messaging with Siri options. Tap “Add Language” to enable Siri to send messages in languages like Arabic, Spanish, and Thai. It’s a small change, but a big step towards a more inclusive and accessible Siri experience. 🗣️🌍
⌚ Stopwatch in Live Activities
Are you a fan of using the stopwatch feature on your iPhone? Well, now you can keep an eye on it even when you’re not in the Clock app. Thanks to iOS 17.4 beta 1, the stopwatch function will display across the top of your screen on Live Activities-enabled iPhones, such as the iPhone 14 Pro or the upcoming iPhone 15. So no more worrying about accidentally exiting the app and losing track of time. Talk about stopwatch freedom! ⏱️🙌
And there you have it, my fellow tech enthusiasts! These are just some of the exciting new features and updates in iOS 17.4 beta 2. Remember, this isn’t the final version, so there might be more surprises in store when iOS 17.4 is released to the public in March. Stay curious, stay updated! 🚀
🔥 Here are some other articles you might find interesting:
– Why You Should Download iOS 17.3 Now
– Apple Will Allow Installation of Rival App Stores On iPhones In Europe
– Apple’s Browser-Related Changes in iOS for the EU
– New Microsoft Teams Feature to Simplify Work Communication in 2024
– Is Samsung’s Broken Phone Good News? Find Out!
– iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 15: Which One is Right for You?
📢 Now, it’s your turn! Share this article with your tech-savvy friends and start a conversation about the exciting new features in iOS 17.4 beta 2. Let’s spread the tech love in the digital world! 🌐💙
(Images: ENBLE.com)
