Apple releases iOS 17.5 beta update for public beta testers, introducing new features such as Web App Distribution in the EU, a new game in Apple News+, and various design changes and improvements.
Summary
- Apple has released iOS 17.5 beta update for public beta testers, ahead of the expected release of iOS 18 at WWDC 2024.
- A significant addition in iOS 17.5 is the introduction of Web App Distribution within the European Union, allowing users to install applications directly from a developer’s website.
- Apple News+ subscribers in North America can now enjoy a new game called “Quartiles,” a word game that challenges players to form words from a grid of tiles.
- The update brings minor design changes, such as the Podcasts widget dynamically adapting its color to match the artwork of the currently playing podcast, a redesigned “Reading Goal” icon in the Apple Books app, and a new glyph for the “Passkeys Access for Web Browsers” menu in the Settings app.
- iOS 17.5 seems to bring anti-stalking capabilities for accessories like AirTags, enabling users to identify and disable tracking accessories, even those not certified by Apple or Find My.
- The update also brings improvements for Mobile Device Management (MDM) users, allowing enforcement of beta versions during automated device enrollment.
- While the current focus of iOS 17.5 seems to be on complying with the Digital Markets Act in the EU, it remains to be seen if Apple has more in store for the final release.