iOS 17.4 RC is now available with these 10 new features

With iOS 17.4 expected next week, Apple has now uploaded an RC version of this upcoming operating system update. This will give European iPhone users some of the biggest updates ever, while the rest of the world will also get some interesting new features. Nevertheless, these are the 13 new features that come with iOS 17.4 RC.

European users get these exclusive new features

With iOS 17.4, European iPhone users can download alternative app stores, choose third-party payments, and even their default browser. Here’s what we know:

Marketplaces – or alternative app stores: EU users can choose to download apps from alternative app stores as long as they meet Apple’s criteria for user experience, support and fraud prevention, among other changes.
Default browser options: EU users can choose a new default browser from the list of most downloaded browsers on iOS devices immediately after updating to iOS 17.4.
Third-party NFC access: Bank and third-party payment services may be offered for European iPhones.

iOS 17.4 features everyone is getting

With iOS 17.4 RC, developers can try everything Apple plans to release next week, which includes:

Changes to the game app: Users can now take advantage of streaming gaming apps, such as GeForce NOW. These developers can offer games within their apps.
Messaging with Siri: Siri can read incoming messages in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and more.
New emojis: More than 100 new emojis are available with iOS 17.4. You can discover them here.
Changes to protection against stolen devices: Apple has added an option to always require two-factor authentication instead of just unknown locations.
AirPods on Android: When your AirPods are used on an Android device or Windows PC, a new notification appears on your iPhone so you can restore the connection to it
iPhone 15 battery lasts longer: Apple says the iPhone 15 can last at least 1,000 full cycles with up to 80% total battery life, compared to the 500 cycles of its predecessors. In addition, there is a new battery setting that shows the number of cycles of your iPhone, when the battery was manufactured and when it was first used.
The new iMessage protocol: iMessage is also being upgraded with iOS 17.4 with a new post-quantum cryptographic protocol that improves secure end-to-end messaging. You can find out more about it here.