iOS 18.4 was imagined to carry new Apple Intelligence Siri options, however Apple ended up needing to tug these capabilities from the replace to proceed testing. There are fewer new Apple Intelligence additions now, however there are nonetheless some new options that can make the replace value putting in when it comes out in April.
Precedence Notifications
Apple launched Precedence Notifications again on the June 2024 WWDC, and it is one other Apple Intelligence function that we have been ready on for the reason that September iOS 18 launch.
With Precedence Notifications, Apple analyzes your incoming notifications and highlights those which might be essential, primarily based on context and time. If you happen to’ve ordered meals and your order is approaching, Apple will spotlight that notification as a precedence, inserting it above different notifications. The identical goes for something that has a time-based part, or one thing else that wants quick consideration.
Precedence Notifications is opt-in within the iOS 18.4 beta, so it must be turned on by going to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications.
When turned on, Precedence Notifications present up first in your checklist of notifications on the Lock Display, in a separate field with an icon that stands out. You possibly can nonetheless see your whole different notifications by swiping.
Picture Playground
When the Picture Playground app launched, it solely had Animation and Illustration types to select from for the pictures you make, however there have been all the time meant to be three choices.
With the iOS 18.4 beta, the third “Sketch” choice is on the market as effectively. Sketch is a method that appears extra like a hand drawn picture, and it’s distinct from Animation, which is a 3D model, and Illustration, a less complicated 3D picture.
Apple describes Sketch as a “extremely detailed and tutorial” model that “produces attractive drawings on stark backgrounds,” whereas the illustration model options sturdy outlines, daring colours, and easy shapes. Apple says the animation model has a “whimsical, 3D cartoon look.”
New Languages
iOS 18.4 provides Apple Intelligence help for brand spanking new languages, together with French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese language (simplified), plus localized English for Singapore and India.
iOS 18.4 Launch Date
Apple has seeded one beta of iOS 18.4 to builders and public beta testers to date. A second beta will come subsequent week, and it will likely be beta examined by way of the month of March.
Apple plans to launch iOS 18.4 in early April.
Apple Intelligence Siri Options
There’s an opportunity that we might nonetheless see the Apple Intelligence Siri options carried out in a later beta of iOS 18.4, however that is trying unlikely given that there is only a month till the replace is ready to come back out.
As an alternative, Apple will possible add the Siri capabilities in an iOS 18.5 replace. It’s uncommon for main new options to come back in a .5 replace as these updates usually come out across the time when Apple transitions focus to a brand new model of iOS, but it surely’s not unparalleled. Apple has been releasing iOS 18 options steadily, and we’ll most likely see an identical tactic with iOS 19. Rumors already counsel iOS 19 growth is being pushed again in order that Apple can proceed to work on iOS 18.