iOS Version 18.4 Unveiled: A Breakdown of 50 New Enhancements and Functionalities
Apple has launched a public beta of the long-awaited iOS 18.4, offering iPhone users a plethora of new features and enhancements. Here's a breakdown of what users can expect:
Expansion of Visual Intelligence
Apple's Visual Intelligence, a feature akin to Google Lens, will now be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models. Originally exclusive to the iPhone 16 lineup, this tool provides advanced visual recognition capabilities via the Action Button or Control Center.
Apple News+ Culinary Section
Subscribers to Apple News+ will gain access to a dedicated Food section within the Following tab, offering premium content from leading culinary publishers like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, and Serious Eats.
Priority Notifications
iOS 18.4 introduces an innovative AI-powered feature that intelligently prioritizes notifications based on their urgency. Users can customize which apps receive priority alerts, ensuring that essential notifications remain prominent.
Enhanced Control Center
The Control Center has been updated with new toggles, such as "Talk to Siri" and "Visual Intelligence," increasing user control and accessibility over these features.
New Emojis
The update adds a variety of new emojis, providing users with an expanded selection for communication.
Apple Vision Pro App
A new "Apple Vision Pro" app has been introduced, designed to help Vision Pro users explore spatial content and benefit from guidance, improving their overall experience.
Mail App Categorization on iPad
The redesigned Mail app, debuted on the iPhone with iOS 18.2, is now available on iPad. The app sorts emails into categories like Promotions, Primary, Transactions, and Updates, streamlining email management.
CarPlay Interface Update
The CarPlay interface has been revised to accommodate a third row of app icons on the Home screen for specific vehicles, providing quicker access to applications while driving.
Ambient Music Control
A new Ambient Music option has been added to the Control Center, enabling users to play ambient sounds for relaxation or focus.
Image Playground Sketch Style
The Image Playground feature now includes a "sketch" art style, extending users' creative options for image editing.
Matter Support for Robot Vacuums
The iOS 18.4 beta provides support for robot vacuums in the Apple Home app through the Matter protocol. This update allows users to control compatible robot vacuums, adjust operation modes, and integrate them into automations and scenes.
Safari Search History Display
A significant change in the Safari layout now shows recent search history prominently when users tap into the search bar. However, this feature raises privacy concerns, as it could potentially expose personal or sensitive search queries to others. It's essential to note that there is currently no option to disable this feature, so users may need to manually clear their search history to maintain privacy.
Although this beta release presents exciting new features, users should be mindful of the potential privacy implications, particularly regarding the Visible Search History feature in Safari. Users can expect the final public rollout of iOS 18.4 in the near future, with the opportunity for early testing through the Apple Beta Software Program.
Source and image credit: 9to5Mac
- Users can leverage technology in the form of Apple's AI-powered feature, which prioritizes notifications based on their urgency, adding to the convenience of handling essential alerts.
- The expansion of technology in the food sector is also evident with the Apple News+ Culinary Section, offering premium content from leading culinary publishers to users within the app.
