Apple has rolled out the first developer beta of iOS 18.4, bringing a suite of new features designed to enhance user experience and productivity. This update introduces Priority Notifications, expanded language support for Apple Intelligence, a dedicated Vision Pro app for iPhone users, and a new Apple News+ Food section. Here’s a detailed look at what’s new.
Priority Notifications: Never Miss Important Updates
In the iOS 18.4 beta, Apple introduces Priority Notifications, an Apple Intelligence-powered feature that uses on-device processing to identify and highlight critical updates. This system analyzes incoming notifications and elevates those deemed most important, displaying them prominently on your Lock Screen.
By default, Priority Notifications are turned off in this beta release. To enable them:
- Navigate to Settings: Open the Settings app on your device.
- Access Notifications: Scroll down and tap on “Notifications.”
- Enable Priority Notifications: Find the “Prioritize Notifications” section and toggle it on.
This feature aims to streamline your notification experience, ensuring that essential information stands out amidst the daily influx of alerts.
Expanded Language Support for Apple Intelligence
Apple is broadening the linguistic capabilities of its AI assistant. The iOS 18.4 update includes support for several new languages, enhancing Apple Intelligence’s accessibility and functionality for a global audience. The newly supported languages are:
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Spanish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Chinese (Simplified)
Additionally, localized English support is now available for users in Singapore and India. This expansion allows more users to interact with Apple Intelligence in their preferred language, making the technology more inclusive and user-friendly.
Vision Pro App for iPhone: Seamless Integration
For Vision Pro headset users, Apple has introduced a dedicated Vision Pro app for the iPhone. This application serves as a centralized hub, enabling users to:
- Browse and Download Apps: Access the visionOS App Store to discover and install new applications and games tailored for the Vision Pro experience.
- Explore Spatial Content: Delve into curated experiences from Apple TV and the Spatial Gallery, offering immersive content designed to maximize the capabilities of the Vision Pro headset.
- Configure Settings: Manage device settings, including the Guest User feature, directly from your iPhone, facilitating a more streamlined and user-friendly setup process.
This integration underscores Apple’s commitment to creating a cohesive ecosystem, allowing users to manage their Vision Pro devices conveniently through their iPhones.
Apple News+ Food Section: A Culinary Treasure Trove
Catering to culinary enthusiasts, Apple has unveiled a new Food section within its Apple News+ subscription service. This feature offers:
- Extensive Recipe Collection: Access tens of thousands of recipes from renowned food publishers such as All Recipes, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Good Food, and Serious Eats.
- Curated Content: Enjoy stories about restaurants, healthy eating, kitchen essentials, and more, all selected by Apple News editors to provide a rich and diverse culinary experience.
- User-Friendly Format: Recipes are presented in a new format optimized for mobile devices, featuring easy-to-read ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions. A dedicated “cook” mode offers a full-screen experience, making it convenient to follow recipes while cooking.
This addition transforms Apple News+ into a valuable resource for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs, providing inspiration and guidance for a wide array of culinary endeavors.
Additional Updates and Features
Beyond the headline features, iOS 18.4 beta includes several other noteworthy enhancements:
- Default Translation App: Users can now set their preferred translation app as the default, offering flexibility and personalization in translation tasks.
- Redesigned Mail App: Mac and iPad users will notice a refreshed Mail app interface, designed to improve navigation and usability.
- Ambient Music Controls: New customizable controls in the Control Center allow users to quickly access ambient music playlists, categorized under Chill, Productivity, Sleep, and Wellbeing, enhancing the auditory experience based on user preferences.
While the current beta does not introduce significant changes to Siri, Apple has indicated that enhancements to its intelligent assistant are forthcoming. In an official statement, the company noted, “Apple Intelligence will continue to expand with new features in the coming months, including more capabilities for Siri.” Users can anticipate more advanced and intuitive interactions with Siri in future updates.
As these features are currently in beta, they are subject to change based on user feedback and further development. Users are encouraged to stay tuned for the official release and explore how these enhancements can integrate into their daily routines.