APPLE has rolled out its biggest iOS update yet, and iPhone owners across the globe are being encouraged to install it.
But there’s one big change that will be missing for UK and US users.
iOS 17.4 brings a whole host of new features.
This includes a new Battery Health feature, a boost to Siri and a string of bug fixes.
For customers in the European Union, this latest update will bring in alternative app stores – alongside Apple’s own App Store – for users to download different apps from.
iOS 17.4: the biggest Apple change ever?
Apple has been forced to make some significant changes to its App Store rules, in an effort to meet new EU laws.
The EU’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA) tries to dismantle monopolies and so-called ‘gatekeeper services’.
The new laws also apply to Meta’s WhatsApp and Facebook messenger, which will also undergo a massive change.
It means Silicon Valley giant will soon allow alternative app stores to appear on iPhones purchased inside the EU.
This not only offers iPhone owners a new selection of free apps – but reduced fees in Apple’s official App Store.
Currently, iPhone users across the globe can only download apps via Apple’s own App Store.
But it has been accused of creating a monopoly in the app world, by giving developers no choice but to go through its channels and paying for the privilege to do so.
Apple charges developers up to 30 per cent commission on all in-app purchases.
This regime has meant that developers who either fail to meet Apple’s standards or do not agree to pay its fees are excluded from all Apple gadgets and their users.
It is this rule that led to Fortnite being banned from the App Store in 2020 after its developer Epic Games violated in-app payment guidelines
However, UK and US users will miss out for now.
What does this look like for EU iPhones?
Analysis by Millie Turner, Tech & Science Reporter for The Sun
For those in the EU, not a lot will change on the surface.
But under the hood, users will be given a new button in the Settings app to set their preferred alternative app store as their default app store – if desired.
When using a third-party app store, users in the EU will get a pop up warning when an app contains malware.
There are also new screens for verifying the information from an alternative app.
Apps distributed through Apple’s official App Store will pay a reduced commission – about 17 per cent less than before – which could pave the way for slightly cheaper apps and in-app items and features.
Meanwhile, apps distributed through alternative app stores will have no commission, which suggests these apps could be priced at even less.
What EU iPhone users will now need to wrestle with is the realities of so-called sideloading apps – which can often be Trojan Horses for malware.
Battery Health boost
As part of iOS 17.4, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro users will receive a revamp to their Battery Health page in Settings.
It will show users their iPhones battery cycle count, alongside the device’s manufacturer date.
And iPhone battery cycle count is important because it indicates your handset’s lifespan.
Knowing the battery cycle can be used to figure out when you need to replace your battery.
According to Apple, “Batteries of iPhone 14 models and earlier are designed to retain 80 percent of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions.
“Batteries of iPhone 15 models are designed to retain 80 percent of their original capacity at 1000 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions.”
Siri upgrade
It looks like Siri’s language lessons have been paying off, too.
With iOS 17.4, Apple’s virtual assistant gains a new feature that lets it read the messages you receive aloud in more languages.
Previously, Siri could only announce texts in English.
But now it can speak German, Arabic, Spanish and Thai and more.
Can my iPhone download iOS 17.4?
Check out the list below to see if your iPhone is compatible with the latest update:
- iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE 2
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 13
- iPhone SE 3
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 15
This includes all of the Pro models.
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