iOS 17.5 Introduces These New Features in Your iPhone 

News Desk

Islamabad: Apple, the tech giant, is presently in the beta-testing phase of iOS 17.5, potentially the final significant update for iOS 17 before iOS 18 debuts.

Insights gleaned from the hidden code of the iOS 17.5 beta have unveiled several upcoming features. Here are some highlights of what the iOS 17.5 update will bring, expected to roll out in the coming weeks.

EU Web Appstore

In the forthcoming iOS 17.5 update, developers will gain the ability to offer their apps directly on the web, bypassing the necessity of relying on the App Store or third-party app markets. However, this functionality will be exclusive to iPhone users within the European Union.

To qualify for web distribution, developers must be registered on the Apple Developer Program for a minimum of two years, and their app should boast over one million annual installs in the EU.

This change will enable iPhone users to download and install third-party apps directly from the developer’s official website, circumventing the need for the App Store or any other marketplace.

Quartiles Puzzles

If you enjoy Wordle, you’ll likely appreciate this addition. Apple News+ is introducing a new word-focused game called Quartiles. Players must combine mini-words to form complete ones, earning points for each correct answer.

Completing all five puzzles awards a bonus of 40 points. Quartiles joins existing puzzle games like Crossword and Crossword Mini, now integrated with Game Center as part of Apple’s offerings.

Although Apple News+ is accessible in various markets such as the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, the new puzzle games are currently limited to Apple’s primary markets like the US and Canada.

Podcast Widgets Revived

iOS 17.5 is bringing back the dynamic podcast widgets that adjust their color to match the album art. This feature debuted in iOS 17.4 but was removed in the final release. Now, it’s making a return in the iOS 17.5 beta and is expected to be included in the stable version.

The iPadOS 17.5 update introduces several enhancements for iPads, such as an improved battery health menu providing more detailed insights into battery status, including charge cycle count and maximum remaining capacity.

Additionally, the source code suggests a new Apple Pencil may be in the works, possibly compatible with upcoming iPad Pro and iPad Air models. Both iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 will be available for all iPhones and iPads eligible for the iOS 17 update.