As Apple‘s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off this June, a customary spring refresh prepares iPhones and iPads for the latest iOS innovations teased. iOS 17.4 begins rolling out the first week of March 2023, delivering meaningful quality of life upgrades alongside necessary compliance changes within European regions.
We Break down everything users need to know regarding refinements and get your devices primed for downloading Apple’s latest and greatest functionality.
Apple Podcasts Transcripts Support
Among the most celebrated iOS 17.4 enhancements lands integrated podcast transcripts support across the whole Apple Podcasts ecosystem.
By leveraging Siri’s speech to text advancements, Apple devices can now populate scrolling podcast episode transcripts in real time as you listen. This unlocks several key benefits:
- Ability to visually follow along podcast dialogue like subtitles
- Refer back to key points without needing to scrub audio
- Index podcasts details for dramatically improved search
Transcripts comport especially well towards comedy and interviews relying strongly on wordplay otherwise lost as pure sound. Expect rapid adoption appeasing both entertainment and productivity audiences.
Default App Selection Freedom
Thanks to European Digital Market Act legislation, Apple must open iOS and iPadOS default application selection capabilities at system levels.
This means alternatives you download can register across common media categories to handle taps automatically.
Want Spotify launching over Apple Music? Set Chrome as the default browser rather than Safari?
iOS 17.4 finally permits these user preference overrides streamlining your iPhone and iPad workflows.
Given Apple customers reported clamoring for default app flexibility, 17.4’s rollout beyond technically necessary regions seems assured down the line.
New Emojis Coming
iOS 17.4 brings over 30 new and redesigned emoji to visualization communication toolkits across Apple devices.
Both cultural representation and mundane symbol upgrades aim towards more nuanced conversations, removing visual vocabulary gaps.
New emoji highlights include elaborated hand gestures, an expecting man, shaking face, pink heart, goose, pea pod, hyacinth, and folding hand fan.
Skin tone modifiers also expand across existing favorites, empowering ongoing personalization towards authentic digital expressions.
Assorted Software Improvements
Beyond headlining capabilities, iOS 17.4 delivers iterative refinements strengthening system fundamentals.
This includes Home architecture updates enhancing reliability and responsiveness interacting with connected devices.
Safari sees tab groups sharing upgrades alongside ongoing performance boosts thanks to WebKit improvements.
And Apple Music gains sound quality safeguards protecting hearing health when headphone volumes sustain dangerously high levels.
Collectively, such tune-ups may lack flashy impacts individually but together sustain iPhone, iPad and iPod touch lifespan potency.
When Does iOS 17.4 Arrive?
Apple confirmed iOS 17.4 begins rolling out early March 2023. Technically savvy users can install developer betas today for a sneak peak and testing opportunity.
The typical iOS release strategy sees initial launch across newer iPhone flagships, followed by gradual expansion targeting older legacy devices through April.
As usual, you can trigger over-the-air updates manually through Settings app → General → Software Update once eligible.
Which Devices Support iOS 17.4?
All hardware currently running iOS 17 can upgrade to 17.4 when available.
In terms of iPhones, this spans iPhone 12 models through iPhone 14/Pro series. Original SE and iPhone 11 product lines also qualify.
Regarding iPads, all models dating back to early 2020 iPad Air editions integrate the 17.4 update.
Finally the latest 7th generation iPod Touch released in 2019 remains compatible too.
Note that if you utilize an older device no longer supporting modern iOS versions, 17.4 cannot install. This includes original iPhone SE or iPhone 6S owners unfortunately.
Preparing for iOS 17.4 Installation
To ensure smooth upgrades, be sure to complete a few preparatory steps beforehand.
Firstly, verify sufficient storage space exists for temporarily hosting update payload files. You may need upwards of 10GB free.
Likewise confirm reliable Wi-Fi and power connections before initiating downloads avoiding corruption risks.
Finally, backing up precious photos or critical app data proves wise caution for unforeseen issues arising.
Assuming readiness checks pass, brace for incoming iOS 17.4 delights with tantalizing transcript, emoji and default app freedoms headlining!
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