Curated by THEOUTPOST
On Tue, 4 Mar, 12:03 AM UTC
10 Sources
[1]
iOS 18.4: What You Need to Know About the Latest Features
Apple's iOS 18.4 marks a significant step forward in the evolution of its mobile operating system. Packed with a variety of new features and refinements, this update is designed to enhance both the functionality and usability of your iPhone. Currently in its second beta phase, iOS 18.4 builds upon over 50 changes introduced in the initial beta, with additional improvements added. Scheduled for public release in April 2025, the update introduces advancements across Visual Intelligence, the Control Center, the App Store, the Wallet app, and more. In the video below, iReviews explores the key highlights and what they mean for your iPhone experience. One of the standout features of iOS 18.4 is the integration of Visual Intelligence with a dedicated action button, available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and expected to extend to the iPhone 16 lineup. This feature uses advanced AI to recognize objects, text, and scenes in real time, allowing contextual actions with a single press. For instance, you can point your camera at a document to instantly copy text or identify an object to retrieve relevant information. This seamless functionality underscores Apple's commitment to making your device more intuitive and responsive to your daily needs. By combining hardware and software innovation, Visual Intelligence transforms how you interact with your iPhone, offering a more personalized and efficient experience. The Control Center receives a major update in iOS 18.4, offering greater flexibility and customization options. These enhancements allow you to tailor the interface to better suit your preferences, making it easier to manage your device's settings. Key updates include: These updates not only improve the visual appeal of the Control Center but also make it more user-friendly, making sure a smoother and more efficient experience when accessing essential features. Finding the right app becomes faster and more efficient with the App Store's new review summarization feature. This tool automatically condenses user feedback into concise summaries, allowing you to quickly assess an app's strengths and weaknesses. Whether you're exploring new apps or revisiting old favorites, this feature simplifies the decision-making process. Additionally, a redesigned splash screen introduces these summaries alongside improved search capabilities. These enhancements make app discovery more intuitive, saving you time and effort. By focusing on clarity and usability, Apple ensures that the App Store remains a valuable resource for users of all experience levels. Managing subscriptions is now more straightforward with the Wallet app's new features. A dedicated section provides a centralized view of all your active subscriptions, offering greater transparency and control over your recurring expenses. Key functionalities include: These updates make financial management more accessible, helping you stay organized and informed about your ongoing commitments. By streamlining subscription management, Apple continues to prioritize user convenience and efficiency. The Shortcuts app sees significant improvements in iOS 18.4, with expanded automation capabilities that hint at deeper integration with Siri. Users can now create app-specific shortcuts, such as adjusting Safari settings or toggling features within other apps. These enhancements broaden the app's functionality, allowing more advanced and personalized automation. Rumors suggest that future updates may allow Siri to perform in-app actions and integrate more seamlessly with third-party apps. While these features may not debut in iOS 18.4, they are anticipated to arrive in iOS 18.5, expected later in 2025. These developments highlight Apple's ongoing efforts to enhance the synergy between its apps and voice assistant. Speculation surrounding Siri's capabilities in iOS 18.4 has generated considerable interest. Potential updates include support for in-app actions and deeper integration with third-party apps. These advancements could enable tasks such as sending messages or adjusting app-specific settings through voice commands, further enhancing Siri's utility. If these features do not make it into iOS 18.4, they are likely to appear in iOS 18.5, which is expected to launch before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025. These updates reflect Apple's commitment to refining Siri's functionality and expanding its role within the iOS ecosystem. Apple is expected to release iOS 18.4 to the public on either April 7 or April 14, 2025. Following this, iOS 18.5 is anticipated to arrive before WWDC 2025. These updates will likely build upon the features introduced in iOS 18.4, offering further refinements and laying the groundwork for future innovations. With its thoughtful enhancements and focus on user experience, iOS 18.4 ensures that your iPhone remains a powerful and versatile tool. From smarter Visual Intelligence features and a more customizable Control Center to streamlined app discovery and improved subscription management, this update caters to a wide range of user needs. As Apple continues to refine its software, iOS 18.4 sets the stage for even more exciting advancements in the near future. Stay informed about the latest in iOS 18.4 by exploring our other resources and articles.
[2]
iOS 18.4 Public Beta 2 Released: What You Need to Know
Apple has released iOS 18.4 Public Beta 2, bringing a range of updates aimed at refining your device experience. This version focuses on improving core functionalities, introducing practical tools, and enhancing overall device performance. Below is a detailed look at the most significant changes and improvements you can expect in a new video from HotshotTek. Dynamic Island receives a notable upgrade in this beta. The animations for the microphone privacy dot have been refined, offering smoother transitions during activities like voice recordings or phone calls. These improvements not only enhance the visual experience but also make privacy indicators more intuitive and prominent. By emphasizing user security, Apple continues to reinforce its commitment to protecting your data. The Wallet app now offers a more streamlined approach to managing subscriptions. A dedicated section has been added, allowing you to track and manage all your subscriptions directly within the app. Additionally, new customization options enable better control over how Wallet features are organized. These updates make it easier to handle payments and subscriptions, improving the app's overall efficiency and usability. The Photos app introduces a "Recover All" option in the Recently Deleted album, simplifying the process of restoring deleted images. This feature allows you to recover all deleted photos with a single tap, saving time and effort. Whether you've accidentally deleted important pictures or need to retrieve multiple files, this enhancement makes photo recovery more convenient and user-friendly. For iPhone 15 and newer models, Vision Intelligence has been upgraded with advanced object recognition, translation, and reverse image search capabilities. Accessible via the Action Button or Control Center, this feature uses machine learning to deliver real-time insights. You can now identify plants, translate text on signs, or find visually similar images online with just a few taps. These enhancements demonstrate Apple's focus on using AI to provide practical, everyday solutions. A dedicated app for Apple Vision Pro users debuts in iOS 18.4, allowing seamless integration with the augmented reality device. This app provides access to tailored features and applications, enhancing the Vision Pro experience. By expanding its functionality within Apple's ecosystem, this update ensures that Vision Pro users can fully use the device's capabilities. A new toggle in the settings menu allows you to prioritize notifications for specific apps. This feature ensures that critical alerts reach you promptly while reducing distractions from less important notifications. By giving you greater control over your digital environment, this tool helps you stay focused and manage your time more effectively. Apple has reintroduced the ability to pause and resume app updates manually. This feature is particularly useful for users managing limited data or avoiding interruptions during important tasks. By offering greater control over how and when apps are updated, this update adds flexibility to the App Store experience. iOS 18.4 includes subtle yet impactful performance improvements. Animations, such as the volume slider, now feel smoother, while minor stability tweaks enhance overall reliability. Although benchmark scores show only slight changes, these refinements translate to a more polished and responsive user experience during everyday use. This update introduces a variety of new emojis, including a purple splash, tired face, shovel, tree branch, fingerprint, harp, and beads. These additions provide more ways to express emotions and ideas, catering to a broader range of contexts and making communication more dynamic and engaging. iOS 18.4 Public Beta 2 delivers a mix of functional upgrades and subtle refinements, enhancing usability and performance across the board. From smoother animations in Dynamic Island to advanced Vision Intelligence tools, this update underscores Apple's dedication to improving the user experience. Available now for developer and public beta testers, the official release is anticipated soon, promising a more refined and feature-rich experience for all users. Explore further guides and articles from our vast library that you may find relevant to your interests in Vision Intelligence features.
[3]
iOS 18.4 Beta 2: Finally Fixed? Testing the Key Improvements
The iOS 18.4 update brings a variety of enhancements aimed at refining your device's functionality and delivering a more seamless user experience. Currently in its second beta phase, this update is expected to undergo further adjustments before its anticipated public release in early April. With a focus on priority notifications, Control Center usability, AI-powered features, and performance optimization, iOS 18.4 introduces meaningful upgrades that cater to both casual users and tech enthusiasts. Here's a detailed look at the key features and improvements. The video below from iReviews gives us details on what to expect from the iOS 18.4 update. One of the standout features of iOS 18.4 is the introduction of priority notifications, designed to help you manage alerts more effectively. This feature allows you to prioritize notifications from specific apps, making sure that critical updates are always highlighted and easy to access. These prioritized alerts are visually distinct, grouped together, and positioned prominently for quick reference. You can also customize how these notifications behave. For instance, you have the option to disable prioritization directly from the notification center, giving you greater control over how alerts are displayed. This functionality is particularly useful for users who rely on their devices for time-sensitive updates, such as work-related messages, health alerts, or breaking news. The Control Center has received notable improvements in iOS 18.4, focusing on stability and ease of use. Customizing widgets and toggles is now a smoother and more intuitive process, addressing previous issues where elements would shift unpredictably during rearrangement. This enhancement ensures that managing your device's settings is more efficient and less frustrating. A minor adjustment has been introduced to how the Control Center is dismissed. You now need to swipe or tap in a specific area, which may take some time to get used to. While this change might initially feel less intuitive, the overall improvements in reliability and functionality make it a more dependable tool for everyday use. iOS 18.4 takes a significant step forward in artificial intelligence by enhancing Siri's capabilities and integrating it more seamlessly with ChatGPT. Siri can now transition to ChatGPT for handling complex queries, offering more detailed and context-aware responses. This collaboration improves the overall user experience, making interactions with your device more efficient and engaging. Additionally, new sound cues have been introduced to make follow-up interactions with Siri more intuitive. Beta code also hints at potential future features, such as Shazam-exclusive functionality and integration with Google Gemini, a innovative AI model. While these features are not yet confirmed, they highlight Apple's commitment to expanding the AI capabilities of iOS, making sure that your device remains at the forefront of innovation. Performance and battery life continue to be central to iOS updates, and iOS 18.4 is no exception. The update delivers stable daily performance with no major glitches, making sure a smooth user experience. However, benchmark scores are slightly lower compared to iOS 18.3, indicating that Apple is prioritizing stability over raw performance improvements. Battery life remains consistent with previous versions, offering dependable usage without significant changes. These incremental updates suggest that Apple is focusing on delivering a reliable and polished experience, minimizing the risk of disruptive bugs or crashes. For most users, this approach ensures a device that performs consistently well in everyday scenarios. As iOS 18.4 progresses through its beta testing phases, additional refinements are expected. Apple is likely to release further beta versions to address any remaining issues, making sure a smooth and polished public release. This iterative process reflects Apple's dedication to delivering a high-quality update that meets user expectations. In the meantime, a minor iOS 18.3.2 update may be rolled out to resolve specific bugs, such as dictation errors, without requiring extensive beta testing. This proactive approach demonstrates Apple's commitment to maintaining a seamless user experience while preparing for the broader release of iOS 18.4. iOS 18.4 represents a thoughtful evolution of Apple's mobile operating system, focusing on usability, stability, and intelligent features. From the introduction of priority notifications to smarter AI integration, the update offers practical improvements that enhance how you interact with your device. While performance and battery life remain steady rather than new, the overall package reflects Apple's emphasis on reliability and refinement. As the update moves closer to its public release, you can look forward to a more capable and user-friendly iOS experience tailored to your needs. Master iOS 18.4 Update with the help of our in-depth articles and helpful guides.
[4]
iOS 18.4: Apple Intelligence Delays - What We Know
Apple's iOS 18.4 update delivers a series of enhancements designed to refine the user experience, showcasing the company's commitment to incremental improvements. However, it also underscores the challenges Apple faces in integrating advanced AI-driven features. While the update introduces practical tools and usability improvements, the absence of anticipated AI advancements, particularly in Siri, highlights the complexities of achieving Apple's ambitious technological goals. The video below from iDeviceHelp gives us more details about the latest beta and also what is happening with Apple Intelligence. The iOS 18.4 update focuses on refining existing features while introducing new tools aimed at enhancing personalization, creativity, and device management. These updates reflect Apple's ongoing efforts to improve functionality and user satisfaction. Key updates include: These updates emphasize Apple's focus on usability and creativity, offering practical enhancements for everyday tasks. However, they also highlight the absence of the fantastic AI features that many users had anticipated, leaving room for future innovation. Among the most eagerly awaited features of iOS 18.4 were advancements in Siri's AI capabilities. Apple has been working on making Siri more conversational and context-aware, aiming to rival other AI systems like ChatGPT. Planned features for Siri include: Despite the excitement surrounding these potential upgrades, Apple has delayed their release, citing the technical challenges of integrating advanced AI into iOS. The company has indicated that these features are unlikely to debut before 2024, potentially aligning with the launch of iOS 19. This delay has tempered expectations but also highlights Apple's cautious approach to innovation. Apple's deliberate pace in integrating AI reflects its commitment to maintaining privacy, security, and reliability. Unlike competitors who have rapidly deployed AI-driven solutions, Apple prioritizes a seamless and secure user experience. This approach aligns with the company's core values but has also slowed the rollout of innovative AI features. The delay in Siri's evolution illustrates the complexities of balancing innovation with Apple's high standards. Developing AI systems that are both advanced and privacy-conscious requires significant time and resources. As AI continues to shape the future of technology, Apple faces mounting pressure to keep pace with competitors while preserving its reputation for quality and user trust. Looking ahead, Apple's roadmap suggests that significant advancements are on the horizon. The iOS 19 Developer Beta, anticipated in June 2024, is expected to include the delayed Siri enhancements and other AI-driven features. If successful, these updates could mark a pivotal moment in Apple's AI journey, allowing the company to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. For now, iOS 18.4 serves as a reflection of Apple's strengths and limitations. While the update introduces valuable features that enhance usability and creativity, the absence of new AI advancements underscores the challenges of innovation in a competitive market. As you explore the latest updates, the promise of future releases offers a compelling reason to remain engaged with Apple's evolving ecosystem.
[5]
visionOS 2.4 beta 2 released, plus tvOS 18.4 and more
Apple has just released beta 2 for its next major software releases, including visionOS 2.4, tvOS 18.4, and more. Here's what to expect. Apple Intelligence on Vision Pro is beta highlight The latest array of beta software has arrived a little more than a week after beta 1's debut. So far, perhaps the biggest highlight of Apple's upcoming software updates is visionOS 2.4. Joining a new Spatial Gallery app and Guest mode changes, and in a move that surprised many, Apple Intelligence is coming to the Vision Pro much sooner than expected. Though not all features are enabled yet as of beta 1, visionOS 2.4 will let users tap into AI features like: For now, the main missing Apple Intelligence upgrades involve Siri. Here's hoping we see additional features arrive in today's beta 2 releases for each of these platforms. Have you installed visionOS 2.4 beta 2 or any other beta release? Let us know of anything new you find via the comments.
[6]
Apple Has Released iOS 18.4 Beta 2 To Developers For iPhone 16e And More Devices With Major Apple Intelligence Upgrades
Apple has finally seen fit to release the second beta of its upcoming iOS 18.4 update for the iPhone, along with macOS 15.4 and visionOS 2.4, to developers for testing purposes and bug detection. The update will be available to the general public later this month, featuring major Apple Intelligence upgrades and a plethora of bug fixes for a smoother user experience. If you are a registered developer, you can download and install the latest iOS 18.4 beta 2 update from the Settings app on your iPhone, while iPadOS 18.4 beta 2 can be accessed through the Settings app on your iPad. All you have to do is head over to General > Software Update > Beta Updates and install the latest beta version by following the on-screen instructions. Take note that you are required to connect your Apple ID to your Developer Account. iPhone 16e users can also download the latest beta on their devices. As for what's new, Apple Intelligence is getting a major boost with iOS 18.4, including Priority Notifications, the Apple News+ Food section, and upgrades in Image Playground. Apple Intelligence will also be available in additional languages, allowing users across the globe to take advantage of the functionality. The update also brings support for Visual Intelligence on older iPhone 15 Pro models, a feature previously limited to the iPhone 16 lineup. Apart from iOS 18.4, Apple has also seen fit to release macOS 15.4 and visionOS 2.4 with the same Apple Intelligence upgrades. The Vision Pro is a latecomer to the Apple Intelligence bandwagon, but we're glad that the company has made the right choice by adding a plethora of AI features to its premium headset. You can download the latest macOS 15.4 beta 2 from the Software Update section in System Settings. Again, make sure to link your Apple ID to your Developer Account to receive the update over the air. Vision Pro users can also download the latest beta through the Settings app. We will share more details on what's new in iOS 18.4, so be sure to keep an eye out.
[7]
Everything new in iOS 18.4 developer beta 2
The second developer beta of iOS 18.4 brings Visual Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro, and introduces an Apple Vision Pro app along with new Emoji characters. On Monday, Apple released iOS 18.4 developer beta 2 with the build number 22E5216h, replacing the previous 22E5200s. The software release comes a week after the first developer beta, which reportedly caused boot loop issues on older devices. Monday's software update has seemingly resolved this problem, as the second developer beta is now available for all of the previously affected devices, including the iPhone 12 and iPad 8, as well as the fourth-generation and M2 models of the iPad Air. The most notable change in Monday's developer beta has to do with Visual Intelligence. While the feature itself was previously exclusive to the iPhone 16 range, as it was toggled through the Camera Control button, Apple has decided to expand its availability to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. This means that owners of these devices will be able to activate Visual Intelligence by pressing the Action button. The feature can also be toggled on the iPhone 16e in the same way, but there's now a third way of activating the feature. The second developer beta of iOS 18.4 introduces a dedicated Control Center section for select Apple Intelligence features -- Type to Siri, Talk to Siri, and Visual Intelligence. Visual Intelligence can now be toggled from the Control Center, the iOS Lock Screen, and via the Action button or Camera Control. Another Apple Intelligence feature, known as Priority Notifications, received a minor update. With iOS 18.4 developer beta 2, it's now possible to adjust priority notification settings for individual applications. Monday's developer beta also features changes that are available across all compatible devices, even those without Apple Intelligence support. The second developer beta of iOS 18.4 introduces new Unicode Emoji characters, including root vegetable, face with bags under eyes, shovel, harp, splatter, leafless tree, and fingerprint. The Sark flag is now also available, while the Syrian flag Emoji has been updated to reflect the current de facto flag of the country. These characters were first spotted in the release post for Unicode 16 back in May of 2024, so their appearance in iOS 18.4 comes as no surprise. Apple's operating systems periodically introduce new Unicode characters, including Emoji. Another change included with iOS 18.4 has to do with App Store downloads. When downloading an App Store app on iOS 18.4 beta 2, users will see a new "Pause" button, that lets users stop and resume app installations and updates. Apple's previously-announced Apple Vision Pro app has finally arrived as well. The application offers instructions and lets users access essential information about their headset, such as the serial number. Content recommendations are also available via a carefully curated list of titles and immersive experiences.Within the app, a dedicated "Discover" section highlights the different apps, immersive videos, and games available for the Apple Vision Pro. According to Apple, there are over 300 3D movies available for the headset. Additional videos can be found via the Apple TV app on visionOS, and users even have the option to upload their videos. Content from the Spatial Gallery app, introduced with the corresponding visionOS 2.4 developer beta, can also be viewed. This includes spatial videos and photos, which are now conveniently in one place. The iPhone app lets users toggle a new Guest Mode, which makes it possible to test the headset without going through the entire setup process. The second developer beta of iOS 18.4 includes additional actions for the Shortcuts app. Though the new shortcuts themselves aren't particularly impressive, an upgraded Siri may be able to take advantage of them in the near future. At WWDC 2024, Apple explained that Siri would be able to perform various in-app actions through a new App Intents system. Monday's developer beta features shortcuts that enable just that -- changing settings within individual apps. Among others, the Shortcuts app now has additional Safari actions, which can be used to block pop-ups, close tabs, open links, and much so on. iOS 18.4 developer beta 2 also suggests that a CarPlay-related update for EV route planning is in the works. Specifically, the code within the operating system mentions a charging adapter for the Tesla NACS connector. The messages "You need to use a charging adapter on this route" and "Tesla NACS Adapter Required" were found in the software files. While not yet implemented, iOS will be able to remind owners of select EVs that they need an adapter to use Tesla charging stations along their route in Apple Maps. This will prove useful to owners of more recent Ford models, among others. Separately, the second developer beta of iOS 18.4 has seemingly enabled the RCS protocol for users of the Orange network in France, according to website Numerama and others. The rollout of RCS messaging support on iPhone is an on-going process. While many US carriers introduced support months ago, others in the world have yet to do so. Apple has also made a minor change to the Apple Wallet app, which now has a menu icon in the top right of the app. The ellipsis icon lets users access in-app settings and lets them manage their orders, subscriptions and payments. While the second developer beta of iOS 18.4 introduced an Apple Vision Pro app for the iPhone, the headset itself received support for two additional languages -- Spanish and Italian. There's also a new Spatial Gallery application with the corresponding visionOS 2.4 developer beta. The Spatial Gallery app contains the user's spatial photos, videos, and panoramic shots, all nearly in one place. There's more, however, as Apple says the Spatial Gallery app offers content of varying genres, including culture, entertainment, lifestyle, nature, sports, and travel, which comes from artists, filmmakers, and different brands. Content from photographers Jonpaul Douglass and Samba Diop is available, along with "stories and experiences from brands such as Cirque du Soleil, Red Bull, and Porsche." The Spatial Gallery app also contains behind-the-scenes footage from AppleTV+ shows the likes of Disclaimer, Severance, and Shrinking. The first developer beta of visionOS 2.4 introduced support for Apple Intelligence on the headset, meaning that owners of the headset now finally have access to Apple's AI features. This includes features such as Writing Tools, Image Playground, Genmoji, and more. macOS Sequoia 15.4 and iPadOS 18.4, meanwhile, bring Apple's email categorization feature to the Mac and iPad, respectively. The visionOS 2.4 and iOS 18.4 betas are still early in the release cycle. Apple plans to release the updates to the general public in April 2025. It remains to be seen whether an updated Siri will roll out with iOS 18.4 in a future developer beta, or if we'll have to wait until iOS 18.5.
[8]
iOS 18.4 beta 2: Here's everything new
iOS 18.4 beta 2 is now available for developer testers, just over a week after the first beta was released. iOS 18.4 beta 2 continues to make changes for iPhone users before the update's public release in April. Head below for a full roundup of everything new in the latest iOS 18.4 beta. iOS 18.4 beta 2 details iOS 18.4 beta 2 is currently available to developer beta testers. Apple hasn't yet released a new public beta, but we expect that to change later this week. The build number for today's iOS 18.4 beta 2 release is 22E5216h. Apple added support for Priority Notifications with iOS 18.4 beta one. This Apple Intelligence feature uses AI to show your most important notifications first. With iOS 18.4 beta 2, you can choose which apps deserve prioritization. In the Settings app, you can view a list of all the apps installed on your iPhone and choose which apps are eligible to be included in Priority Notifications. Read more: Visual Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro As promised, iOS 18.4 beta 2 brings Visual Intelligence support to the iPhone 15 Pro. The feature can be accessed via the Action button and Control Center. Read more: Control Center Speaking of Apple Intelligence, Apple has added a new set of toggles for Control Center that are focused on quicker access to Apple Intelligence and Siri features. There are now toggles for Talk to Siri and Visual Intelligence on all iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. The "Type to Siri" toggle was added to Control Center with iOS 18.1 last year. Read more: Apple Vision Pro app As previously announced, iOS 18.4 adds a new "Apple Vision Pro" app to iPhone. In this app, Vision Pro users can discover content and spatial experience, find useful tips about their device, and more. In visionOS 2.4 beta 2, Apple has also added the promised Spatial Gallery app that aggregates spatial photos, spatial videos, and panoramas into a central place. Read more: Do default emoji matter now that we live in the Genmoji era? That remains to be seen. While iOS 18.4 doesn't include any big changes to Siri, Apple is still laying the groundwork for things like in-app actions and personal context. iOS 18.4 beta 2 includes tons of new Shortcuts actions for Apple's apps, including Books, News, Safari, Maps, and many more. Read more: Wallet app The Wallet app has a new three-dot menu in the upper-right corner for access to orders, settings, and a new "Subscriptions & Payments" screen. Apple says this screen will show "subscriptions and recurring payments you authorize with Apple Pay," but it isn't working just yet. Apple Maps EV routing It looks like the Apple Maps EV routing feature is set to get a big update for Ford drivers. According to under-the-hood code in iOS 18.4 beta 2, Apple Maps EV routing will finally learn that certain cars can charge at Tesla NACS stations in addition to CCS stations. Read more: Wrap up We'll have much more on everything new in iOS 18.4 soon. In the meantime, spot any changes in today's release of iOS 18.4 beta 2 or iPadOS 18.4 beta 2? Let us know in the comments below, on X @9to5Mac, and on Threads @9to5Mac. Stay tuned for our full hands-on coverage with the new releases right here at 9to5Mac today and throughout the rest of the week. My favorite iPhone accessories:
[9]
iOS 18.4 Beta 2 Update: Apple Brings AI Visual Intelligence to iPhones
Apple has dropped iOS 18.4 Beta 2 to developers and testers, presenting notable changes and enhancements, most significantly the extension of powerful Visual Intelligence features to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. This update also introduces a new Control Center interface, Apple Vision Pro app integrations, and a fresh set of emojis. A central feature of the release is the expansion of Visual Intelligence, powered by Apple's proprietary intelligence framework, to encompass the iPhone 15 Pro lineup. Previously a primary feature for the upcoming , this change makes the visual analysis tool accessible to current Pro model users. Capabilities: Summarize and translate text on screen. Detect phone numbers and email addresses, offering quick contact additions. Integrate with Google search and ChatGPT for deeper information retrieval. Access via the Action button and Control Centre. This functionality allows users to interact with their surroundings in a more intuitive way, instantly accessing information through their camera.
[10]
iPadOS 18.4 Beta 2 Discover the Latest Features
Apple has introduced iPadOS 18.4 Beta 2, a release that brings a host of updates designed to enhance customization, efficiency, and integration within its ecosystem. This update focuses on improving user experience across notifications, the Control Center, Shortcuts, Photos, and the App Store. These changes aim to make the iPad more intuitive and versatile, offering tools that cater to both productivity and convenience. Below is an in-depth look at the most notable features and their practical applications. The video below from SlatePad gives us a look at the latest beta of iPadOS. The latest update introduces per-app priority settings, a feature that allows you to assign importance levels to individual apps. This ensures that critical alerts are always visible while minimizing distractions from less important notifications. This improvement gives you greater control over how notifications are displayed, helping you stay organized and focused throughout the day. Whether you're managing personal tasks or professional responsibilities, this feature ensures that you only see what truly matters. The Control Center has been refined to reflect Apple's evolving approach to artificial intelligence and user interaction. These updates aim to make the interface more intuitive and adaptable to individual preferences. These changes cater to diverse user needs, whether you prefer voice commands or text-based interactions. By expanding Siri's capabilities, Apple continues to make its AI assistant more accessible and versatile. The Shortcuts app now includes new automation actions, allowing you to streamline repetitive tasks across Apple apps like Safari, Calendar, and News. These additions are particularly useful for users who rely on automation to enhance productivity. This update also hints at deeper Siri integration, bridging the gap between automation and voice control. By expanding the app's functionality, Apple enables users to customize their iPad experience further. Managing your photo library becomes more efficient with the addition of a "clear all" option for the "Recently Deleted" folder. This long-awaited feature simplifies the process of freeing up storage space. This update is particularly beneficial for users who frequently manage large photo libraries, offering a time-saving solution for storage optimization. The App Store now includes a pause and resume functionality for app updates, providing more control over how and when updates are downloaded. This feature is especially useful for users with limited data plans or those managing multiple updates. This enhancement adds a layer of flexibility, making it easier to manage app updates without disrupting your workflow or consuming unnecessary data. Although still in its early stages, Vision Pro integration has made its debut in iPadOS 18.4 Beta 2. A Vision Pro app is now visible in the App Store, though it remains non-functional on iPads for now. While limited at present, this feature lays the groundwork for future innovations, offering a preview of Apple's vision for interconnected devices and augmented reality. iPadOS 18.4 Beta 2 underscores Apple's dedication to user-centric design and seamless integration. By enhancing notifications, expanding automation capabilities, and improving app interactions, this update enables users to tailor their iPad experience to their specific needs. These updates ensure that the iPad remains a versatile and powerful tool, capable of adapting to a wide range of user preferences and requirements. Stay informed about the latest in iPadOS 18.4 Beta 2 Features by exploring our other resources and articles.
Share
Share
Copy Link
Apple's iOS 18.4 update introduces significant improvements in AI capabilities, user interface, and functionality, while also highlighting challenges in integrating advanced AI features.
Apple's upcoming iOS 18.4 update, currently in its second beta phase, represents a significant evolution in the company's mobile operating system. Set for public release in April 2025, this update introduces a range of new features and refinements designed to enhance both functionality and user experience 1.
One of the standout features in iOS 18.4 is the integration of Visual Intelligence, particularly for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users. This AI-powered feature uses advanced object recognition, translation, and reverse image search capabilities, allowing users to interact with their environment in new ways 2. For instance, users can point their camera at objects to retrieve relevant information or instantly copy text from documents.
The Control Center receives a major update in iOS 18.4, offering greater flexibility and customization options. These enhancements allow users to tailor the interface to their preferences, making it easier to manage device settings 1. The Dynamic Island feature also sees improvements, with refined animations for the microphone privacy dot, enhancing both visual appeal and privacy awareness 2.
The App Store introduces a new review summarization feature, using AI to condense user feedback into concise summaries. This tool simplifies the app discovery process, allowing users to quickly assess an app's strengths and weaknesses 1. The Wallet app now includes a dedicated section for managing subscriptions, offering greater transparency and control over recurring expenses 2.
While iOS 18.4 brings significant improvements, it also highlights challenges in integrating advanced AI features, particularly with Siri. Apple had planned to make Siri more conversational and context-aware, rivaling systems like ChatGPT. However, these features have been delayed, likely to debut with iOS 19 in 2024 4. This delay reflects Apple's cautious approach to innovation, prioritizing privacy, security, and reliability over rapid deployment of AI solutions.
iOS 18.4 focuses on delivering stable daily performance with no major glitches. While benchmark scores are slightly lower compared to iOS 18.3, the update prioritizes stability and consistent user experience 3. Battery life remains consistent with previous versions, ensuring dependable usage without significant changes.
Interestingly, while iOS 18.4 faces delays in some AI features, visionOS 2.4 for Apple Vision Pro is introducing Apple Intelligence much sooner than expected. This update will enable AI-powered features like object recognition, text summarization, and image generation on the Vision Pro device 5.
iOS 18.4 represents a thoughtful evolution of Apple's mobile operating system, balancing new features with stability and user experience. While some anticipated AI advancements have been delayed, the update still offers significant improvements across various aspects of the iOS ecosystem. As Apple continues to refine its approach to AI integration, future updates promise even more exciting advancements in mobile technology.
Reference
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
Apple releases the first public beta of iOS 18.4, introducing new features like Priority Notifications and expanded language support for Apple Intelligence, but delays major Siri upgrades.
16 Sources
16 Sources
Apple's iOS 18.2 update introduces significant AI-driven features, enhancing creativity, productivity, and accessibility across its ecosystem. The update showcases Apple's commitment to innovation and user-centric design.
12 Sources
12 Sources
Apple's upcoming iOS 18.2 update introduces a suite of AI-powered features, including enhanced Siri capabilities, custom emoji generation, and advanced image creation tools, promising to transform user interaction with iPhones.
9 Sources
9 Sources
Apple releases iOS 18.2 public beta with new AI-powered features including Genmoji, Visual Intelligence, and Image Playground, enhancing user experience on compatible iPhone models.
37 Sources
37 Sources
Apple's upcoming iOS 18.2 update brings significant AI enhancements and new features to iPhones, including improved Find My capabilities, AI-generated emojis, and image creation tools.
11 Sources
11 Sources
The Outpost is a comprehensive collection of curated artificial intelligence software tools that cater to the needs of small business owners, bloggers, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, marketers, writers, and researchers.
© 2025 TheOutpost.AI All rights reserved