Apple has officially launched the public beta of iOS 18.4, introducing several new features and enhancements, though some anticipated Apple Intelligence updates are missing.
The most significant addition is the "Priority Notifications" feature, enabling more important notifications to display first on the lock screen. This option, initially disabled, can be activated through: Settings > Notifications > Enable Priority Notifications. Once enabled, Apple Intelligence utilizes AI to determine and showcase key notifications prominently.
Another notable update is the introduction of the "Sketch" style within the Image Playground app, joining existing styles such as Animation and Illustration. This feature provides users with innovative tools to create images creatively. Apple has also switched from its winter holiday theme to a vibrant spring design.
Apple Intelligence has expanded its language support, now including: French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese, along with English dialects for Singapore and India. This enhances accessibility and user experience across different regions.
iOS 18.4 also introduces a Food section within Apple News+, featuring thousands of curated recipes, restaurant articles, healthy eating tips, and an interactive cooking mode for users to easily follow meal preparations.
The update brings the new Ambient Music feature to the Control Center, allowing users to play calming soundscapes across four categories: sleep, relaxation, productivity, and wellness. Users can control these soothing audio experiences through the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen or via the Now Playing widget on the lock screen.
iPadOS 18.4 also received attention with email sorting capabilities. Incoming emails are organized automatically under categories like Primary, Orders, Newsletters, Deals, and Social Notifications, enhancing organization and user efficiency.
Privacy improvements are notable, with clearer indicators for microphone and camera use now positioned on the left side against a black background, aiding visibility. Users can be more aware of when their device’s camera or microphone is actively being used.
The Apple Maps app now allows users to select separate preferred languages, making it user-friendly across various linguistic backgrounds.
New emoji additions were hinted at, including tired face, fingerprint, and new items, though none are included in the current beta release. Users eagerly await these enhancements.
Despite these updates, iOS 18.4 does not contain much-anticipated enhancements for the Siri voice assistant, which has disappointed users who were hoping for improvements to the assistant's capabilities.
Overall, iOS 18.4 may not be the leap forward some were hoping for, particularly related to AI features, but the updates it does bring are significant enough to improve user satisfaction and experience on existing devices.