UPDATED: The major iPhone developer update has been released

Apple is likely to prepare to launch iOS 17 RC this afternoon.

Updated, 19:25:

As expected, Apple has released iOS 17.4 RC.

Along with alternative app stores, browsers with their own engines, and support for streaming apps, the following has been included and fixed:

• New mushroom, phoenix, lemon, broken chain and shaking heads emojis are now available on the Emoji Keyboard
• 18 people and body emojis add the ability to face in any direction
• Transcripts allow you to follow a podcast episode with the text highlighted in sync with the audio in English, Spanish, French, and German.
• Can read entire episode transcript, search for a word or phrase, tap to play from a specific point, and use it with accessibility features like text size, contrast increase, and VoiceOver
• Music recognition lets you add songs you've selected to your Apple Music playlists and library, as well as Apple Music Classical
• Siri has a new option to announce messages you receive in any supported language
• Stolen device protection supports increased security in all locations
• Battery status in Settings shows battery cycle count, date of manufacture, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models
• Caller ID displays the Apple-verified company name, logo, and department name when available
• Business updates in Messaging for Business provide reliable information on order status, flight alerts, fraud alerts, or any other transaction you choose to use
• Virtual Apple Cash card numbers let you pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don't yet accept Apple Pay by entering your number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill
• Fixes an issue with contact images appearing blank in Find My
• Fixes an issue for dual SIM users where the phone number changes from primary to secondary and is visible to the group they have messaged

The big EU update is just days away from launch

This was reported by @aaronp613 on RC is short for “Release Candidate,” the version that Apple hopes will be the one it releases to everyone, not just beta testers, sometime before March 7. Regardless of whether the launch takes place today or not, it should happen very soon: the DMA comes into force on the above-mentioned date.

Apple has neither confirmed nor denied to us whether Norwegians will enjoy alternative app stores with iOS 17.4. Besides access to apps that don't need to be installed through Apple's App Store for EU citizens, Apple allows browsers to use their own browser engine instead of forcing them to use WebKit. The release also offers a simpler overview of battery health and encrypts messages using an all-new, advanced security platform for iMessage. Moreover, Apple is back on the EU radar after it removed advanced PWA functionality.

Next month is important for other reasons for Apple. The company is planning a MacBook Air 15 with an M3 processor, a larger iPad Air, and all-new iPad Pro tablets with OLED technology.