Key Points:
- Apple’s iOS 18.4 introduces Priority Notifications, allowing users to filter and prioritize important alerts on their lock screens.
- Apple Intelligence gets expanded language support, now available in French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and more.
- A new Food Section in Apple News+ offers tens of thousands of recipes, restaurant reviews, and cooking tips for food enthusiasts.
- The update also includes creative tools like the Sketch Style in Image Playground and minor UI improvements across apps.
- iOS 18.4 is compatible with older iPhones like the XR and XS and will fully roll out to the public in April 2025.
New Delhi: Apple has officially released its iOS 18.4 update, packed with exciting new features aimed at improving user experience, personalization, and functionality. While the much-anticipated Siri AI overhaul has been delayed to iOS 18.5, this update still introduces several noteworthy enhancements, including Priority Notifications, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, and a brand-new Food Section in Apple News+.
The update is compatible with a wide range of devices, including older models like the iPhone XR and XS, ensuring that users across generations can benefit from these improvements.
Priority Notifications: Smarter Alerts for a Focused Experience
One of the standout features of iOS 18.4 is the Priority Notifications system. This AI-powered tool uses on-device intelligence to filter out non-essential alerts and highlight important ones in a dedicated section on the lock screen.
- How It Works: The feature analyzes notifications based on content and urgency. Important alerts are displayed prominently at the top of the lock screen.
- Privacy Focused: All processing is done locally on your device to ensure user privacy.
- Activation: Users can enable this feature by navigating to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications.
This feature aims to reduce distractions by relegating less critical notifications to the background while allowing users to manually review them later.
Apple Intelligence Expands Language Support
Apple continues to enhance its AI capabilities with expanded language support for Apple Intelligence, making it more accessible globally:
- New languages include French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.
- Localized English support has also been added for users in India and Singapore.
These updates make Apple Intelligence more versatile for users worldwide, enabling better communication and functionality across different regions.
Apple News+ Food: A Treat for Food Enthusiasts
Food lovers have something to celebrate with the introduction of a dedicated Food Section in Apple News+. This new feature brings curated recipes, restaurant reviews, cooking tips, and healthy eating guides from top publishers like Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Serious Eats, and more.
Key Highlights:
- Tens of Thousands of Recipes:
- Includes step-by-step instructions with a clutter-free design.
- A new “Cook Mode” allows full-screen recipe guidance with larger text for easy reading.
- Users can save recipes for offline access.
- Advanced Filters:
- Search recipes by cook time (e.g., under 30 minutes), type (vegetarian, dessert), or difficulty level.
- Personalized Content:
- Apple News editors curate daily featured recipes based on user preferences.
- Access Options:
- Most content is exclusive to Apple News+ subscribers ($12.99/month), but select stories are available for free.
This feature positions Apple as a competitor to popular recipe apps by offering an ad-free and user-friendly experience directly within its ecosystem.
Other Notable Features in iOS 18.4
- Image Playground Sketch Style:
- A new “Sketch” style joins Animation and Illustration modes in Image Playground for creative image editing.
- Users can toggle between styles via the “+” button within the app.
- Ambient Music Control Center:
- Four new music modes Chill, Productivity, Sleep, and Wellbeing are now available for quick access through Control Center.
- Improved Safari Privacy Features:
- Enhanced anti-tracking measures and automatic HTTPS upgrades ensure safer browsing experiences.
- CarPlay Enhancements:
- A refreshed UI with support for third-party navigation apps makes CarPlay more intuitive.
- Battery Optimization Tools:
- Smarter battery monitoring identifies power-hungry apps and suggests optimized charging schedules.
Compatibility and Rollout Timeline
iOS 18.4 is compatible with devices as old as the iPhone XR and XS while bringing full functionality to newer models like the iPhone 15 Pro series and iPhone 16 lineup. The update is currently in beta testing but will be rolled out globally by April 2025.
A Balanced Update with Something for Everyone
While Siri’s long-awaited AI overhaul remains absent from this release, iOS 18.4 still delivers a robust set of features that cater to both productivity-focused users and lifestyle enthusiasts. From smarter notifications to curated culinary content in Apple News+, this update reflects Apple’s commitment to enhancing user experience across its ecosystem.
Whether you’re looking to streamline your digital life or explore new recipes in your kitchen, iOS 18.4 offers plenty of reasons to hit that “Update” button when it becomes available next month!
