Apple Inc. released iOS 17.4 to the general public today, officially adding to iPhone devices several new features, including new emoji characters, podcast transcriptions, Apple Cash card numbers and alternative marketplaces for European Union citizens.

The new OS is a significant release, bringing a major update for the platform in Europe where Apple has been facing regulatory issues in response to the European Union’s Digital Market Act. The DMA aims to prevent large online platforms from acting as “gatekeepers” and it goes into effect today, requiring Apple to allow users to side-load alternative marketplaces on its platform.

Starting today, users of iOS devices will be able to load competing app marketplaces to the Apple App Store on iPhones running the updated software. The new platform also supports third-party web browsers to Safari in the EU and it will also prompt users to choose a new default web browser.

Apple Cash got an upgrade with the new update that will help when dealing with merchants that do not accept Apple Pay. Apple Cash is a virtual wallet on iOS devices that acts as a digital card that allows for sending money via Messages or Wallet, but it can also send money to merchants. However, since it is not an actual physical card, it does not have a number like physical cards. Now it does have card numbers, expiration dates and a three-digit security code that can be auto-filled on merchant web and app forms.

If users believe that their current Apple Cash card number has been compromised, Apple said it’s easy to request a new one.

With iOS 17.4, Apple Podcasts are now readable and more accessible with full transcripts for every episode across multiple languages including English, French, German and Spanish, Apple said. That will allow users to navigate podcasts and even search them for specific words or phrases, allowing them to interact with their favorite narrators in a way they haven’t before. As podcasts play each word will be highlighted, allowing them to easily follow along with the dialogue.

“Introducing transcripts on Apple Podcasts builds on Apple’s commitment to making products and services for everyone,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of global accessibility policy and initiatives. The introduction of transcripts, Herrlinger added, will bring “an additional layer of accessibility to the Podcasts experience.”

The displayed episode text can also be used with accessibility features such as changing text size, increasing contrast and using the voice-over feature.

Users can now express themselves with 118 new emojis including new mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain and shaking head emojis. Among them, 18 people and body emojis also have the option to face them in either direction.

Photo: Pixabay