2024 is shaping up to be an important year for iOS users, with numerous new features arriving in iOS 17 and iOS 18. Notable innovations include Device Theft Protection, collaborative playlists on Apple Music, AirPlay on hotel TVs, the installation of applications outside the App Store in the European Union, a new generation of CarPlay, satellite roadside assistance outside the US, support for RCS in the Messages application, and improvements on Siri thanks to generative artificial intelligence.
Device Theft Protection adds an additional layer of security on iPhones, requiring biometric authentication for sensitive actions and delaying certain critical operations for an hour. Collaborative playlists in Apple Music will allow multiple users to add and modify songs in a shared list.
On the other hand, AirPlay will allow iPhone users to stream content on hotel TVs, while the ability to install apps outside of the App Store will reach the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act. As for CarPlay, new integrations with vehicle controls and support for multiple screens are expected. Satellite roadside assistance, initially available in the US, will expand to other countries.
Support for RCS in the Messages app will improve communication between iPhone and Android devices. Finally, Siri is expected to become smarter thanks to the incorporation of advanced language models, allowing users to perform complex tasks more efficiently.