We ranked the new iOS 15.4 features from best to worst
The definitive list you never knew you needed
THE WORST NEW iOS 15.4 FEATURE: 7) Podcast filters
The update itself isn’t too bad. Basically, on iOS 15.4, you can filter a show’s episodes by things like played or downloaded.
On top of this, you can also easily browser a podcast’s seasons.
Sounds fine, right? Why’s it on the bottom? Well, that’s because the Podcast appstill fucking sucks.
Syncing across devices is a mess. Often, I’ll open the app and the episode I’ll be listening to will have disappeared. Or it’ll have gone back to the beginning of the podcast.
Frustrating is an understatement — and Apple should’ve used iOS 15.4 to fix the Podcast app.
But it didn’t. And it remains the worst.
6) Apple Card widget
Nope — I don’t want a widget showing me how much cash I’ve splurged today. Hard pass.
5) Adding EU vaccination cards to Apple Wallet
I’m on the fence about this one — and that’smainly down to this article.
Effectively, putting a vaccine card on your phone can be both bad and good. That’s why this new iOS 15.4 feature sits (roughly) in the middle of this ranking.
That’s calledsymbolism.
4) New AirTags display anti-stalking alerts
This is undoubtedly a good thing, aspeople are misusing AirTags horrendously and Apple needs to take action.
The reason this new iOS 15.4 feature isn’t higher is simple: it’s not enough. Will telling someone it’s illegal to track people against their will with AirTags make any difference? Doubtful.
But itissomething. And Apple isplanning further updates to AirTagsthis year to try and make them safer.
Credit where credit’s due — even though I doubt Apple will ever be able to get the safety of its trackers right.
3) Tap-to-pay on iPhone
I don’t own a retail business, but if I did,I’d be jumping with joy. No need for external terminals? And I can just accept customer payments with my iPhone?
This is a new iOS 15.4 feature to be hyped about. Well, if you have a company that sells stuff to people.
2) More gender neutral Siri voice
I’ve always wondered why a robotic voice has to have a gender. Like… can’t it sound just like a damn robot? Something neither male or female?
Well, that’s what this new iOS 15.4 feature has done. If you select the fifth American voice, you’ll hear a version of Siri that’s non-gender specific.
Now, we just have to wait for this to appear on all the accents.
THE BEST NEW iOS 15.4 FEATURE: 1) Unlocking your phone while wearing a mask
Okay, maybe this is a smidgen too late (much of Europe has dropped mask mandates now),but it’s still useful— especially if you’re on public transport or traveling.
Let’s also be honest, it’s likely we’ll see masks come back in some form this winter. So this new iOS 15.4 feature gets the top spot for making my future life easier.
Unfortunately, this featureonly works with iPhone 12 and above, but I’m currently using a 13, so it’s all good. And, really, what is this list all about but me?
Anyway, you can download iOS 15.4 now. So… go and do it? Plus, if you’d like to see a more exhaustive list of features, there are some good resourceshereandhere.
Until next time, friends — and may the team behind Apple Podcasts be cursed until they’ve fixed that damn app.
Story byCallum Booth
Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting(show all)Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC.
Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too.
Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.
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