Apple’s new iOS 17.4 update is now available. In addition to useful new functions, thanks to DMA it also opens the doors to alternative iOS app stores.

Apple’s iOS 17.4 update adds new features to the Podcasts app, Siri, music recognition, new APIs for contactless payments, and more. In addition, it also offers the possibility of offering EU users alternative app marketplaces and app downloads. Apple is making these changes in light of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which goes into effect on March 6th. Mobivention will be available from March 7th with its own iOS app store.

iOS 17.4: What’s new?

In addition to the DMA-based changes to third-party apps, Apple is adding several additional new features to iOS 17.4 that can be used worldwide.

• Siri Thanks to this update, incoming messages can be read in some supported languages ​​(Spanish, French, German, Chinese and others).
• PQ3a new cryptographic protocol for iMessage, strengthens end-to-end encryption against quantum attacks.
• The Podcasts app has now automatically generated audio transcriptions for English, French, German and Spanish podcasts. These can be searched for phrases or words to quickly jump to that point in the podcast.
• Users who use this Music recognition function (which was added in iOS 14.2) can add identified songs to their Apple Music library.
• Do you own an iPhone 15? Then you can now more detailed battery information For more information, see “Battery Health” in Settings. Here you can view the cycles, date of manufacture and time of first use of the battery.
• Apple offers new APIs This allows third-party developers to use the NFC payment chip for contactless payment services. The list of apps that have this feature can be viewed in Settings > Privacy & Security > Contactless and NFC.

iOS 17.4 is compatible with iPhone models that include iOS 17. The rollout is gradual, but you can check whether your device can already implement the update via Settings > General > Software Update.

Digital Markets Act

The new update is a result of the DMA, which comes into effect on March 6th. Although Apple had previously communicated that it wanted to eliminate its web apps in iOS in the EU, the company quickly reversed this after it emerged that this was not in line with the rules imposed by the DMA. Apple will eventually support Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in the EU and existing ones Home screenContinue to offer the web apps option. However, these home screen apps only run on WebKit technology and cannot be supported by third-party browser engines.

While the Digital Markets Act aims to limit the competitive advantage of tech giants, critics point out that opening up third-party app stores could also have negative consequences. According to BioCatch, this creates opportunities for exploitation and abuse. “Centralized marketplaces allow Apple to exercise some control over the legitimacy and security of the applications available. “Opening EU devices to apps downloaded through third-party providers unnecessarily exposes users to scams, scams and malware,” BioCatch said.

First alternative iOS app store

Apple’s new iOS 17.4 update has just been released and the first alternative App Marketplace is already around the corner. Recognizing this, Mobivention announced on Monday that its alternative iOS app store will launch on March 7, a day after the Digital Markets Act officially comes into effect.

Mobivention says it is focused on consumer apps and companies that may want to set up their own iOS platform. According to Mobivention, the App Marketplace offers “simplified rules, alternative billing models, a lower revenue share for in-app purchases and the ability to integrate alternative payment solutions.”

Apple’s approval process may take some time, but alongside Mobivention, Epic Games and MacPaw are also working on developing their own app store for the European market.