Apple just dropped one of the biggest changes ever to iOS, disguised as a minor point release.
iOS 17.4 brings fundamental changes to how the iPhone works.
There’s support for alternative app stores, new browsers and browser engines, and you can switch between your choice of payment apps.
But there’s one teeny catch: That’s all restricted to users in the European Union.
Yankees like me can’t get our hands on those changes — yet.
Nonetheless, there is still plenty to check out for non-EU users, including some very big, important new features, including new emoji.
Also in today’s newsletter:
There are also some nice new features coming in the next release of macOS, according to the latest beta release.
You can get some really nice mood-lighting effects from this cool iPhone-controlled floor lamp, on sale for just $59.99.
MacPaw’s newest app will help clean up your iPhone photo library, removing dupes, crappy shots and other detritus.
Yesterday’s poll question — what is Apple’s best laptop right now? — got a ton of votes, and generated a clear winner. See results below.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
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Today’s poll
Would you like to get your hands on the EU iOS 17.4 changes?
Results from yesterday’s poll: What's Apple's best laptop right now?
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