Summary
- iOS 18.4 adds seven new emojis, improves App Store recommendations, and refines system-wide personalization while maintaining stability and performance optimizations.
- iOS 18.4 beta 2 introduces Apple Intelligence upgrades, adding Talk to Siri, Type to Siri, and Visual Intelligence toggles for improved AI-driven interactions.
- The update enhances priority notifications, Control Center, Apple Vision Pro support, EV routing in Apple Maps, Wallet app security, and Shortcuts automation for a better user experience.
Apple has released iOS 18.4 Beta 2, which includes a number of new updates and features meant to improve the user experience across iPhones. This update improves several existing features while also providing new ones that improve functionality, security, and usability. As iOS 18.4 beta features expand, users can expect improvements to notifications, AI-powered tools, app functionality, and system-wide changes.
With Apple’s continuous advancements in AI and system intelligence, the iOS 18 beta 2 introduces more refined automation, personalization, and system optimizations. These updates align with Apple’s broader AI integration strategy, as seen in developments related to Apple iOS 18.4 beta, Vision Pro, and Apple Intelligence AI updates. Apple’s AI-driven approach continues to evolve, with deeper machine learning integration and expanded AI-powered functionalities improving interactions across iPhones, iPads, and Vision Pro. As the iOS 18.4 release date approaches, these enhancements solidify Apple’s commitment to seamless user experiences. The iOS 18.4 beta 1 update laid the foundation for these advancements, refining system efficiency and AI-driven automation. The latest developments in 18.4 iOS also introduce features like iOS 18.4 priority notifications, ensuring critical alerts bypass system restrictions while enhancing accessibility and engagement. Apple Intelligence AI update provides deeper insights into Apple’s long-term AI strategy, demonstrating how these innovations are shaping future iOS versions and their impact on user-centric AI-powered automation.
Latest Features in iOS 18.4 Beta 2
New in Priority Notifications
Apple enhanced the notification system with the iOS 18.4 release, including priority notifications for time-sensitive alerts. The improvements will ensure that critical notifications, including medical reminders, emergency alerts, and urgent communications, are delivered via Focus Modes and Do Not Disturb settings. This is especially useful for users who depend on real-time alerts for crucial information, keeping essential messages timely.
Enhanced Visual Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro
Apple continues to enhance visual intelligence, especially for iPhone 15 Pro users. With iOS 18.4 beta, the ability to recognize objects, extract text, and perform image searches has been improved to allow users to interact with on-screen content with more ease. Enhancements, driven by artificial intelligence, in the Photos app and Live Text application will allow much-improved identification of text and objects. The set of AI-enhanced improvements aims to harness machine learning to be integrated into daily tasks in order to maximize productivity and accessibility.
Control Center
Apple has made incremental upgrades to the Control Center in iOS 18.4 beta 2 by adding switches for Talk to Siri, Type to Siri, and Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. They sharpen up the AI-driven interactions, with Visual Intelligence improving real-time object recognition and introducing Type to Siri text-based alternative for Siri commands in iOS 18.1. These updates ensure easy access to Apple Intelligence, making Siri more efficient and intuitive.
Apple Vision Pro Features
Apple is gradually embedding Vision Pro capabilities into its iOS ecosystem, with iOS 18.4 beta further advancing this integration. The update enhances Apple Vision Pro apps, ensuring improved connectivity and seamless compatibility across devices. These refinements expand user interaction, making Vision Pro content more immersive and engaging on iPhones. As Apple continues refining AI-driven functionalities, the integration of Apple Intelligence AI strengthens the overall experience, enabling deeper machine learning applications and interactive elements. Expanding AI across its ecosystem is central to Apple’s long-term strategy, ensuring that Vision Pro and iOS work together for a more dynamic, intelligent, and interconnected user experience. Mattrics’ latest updates provide further insights into Apple’s roadmap for AI integration, Vision Pro enhancements, and the future of AI-powered interactions across Apple devices.
New Emoji
iOS 18.4 beta 2 adds seven new emojis, including a face with bags under the eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter. While Genmoji offers customization, these additions expand default emoji options, keeping conversations expressive and diverse.
Shortcuts Actions Update
Apple has refined the Shortcuts app in iOS 18.4 beta, adding new automation triggers and expanded actions. These updates provide more flexibility for users who rely on automation for daily tasks, improving workflows and enhancing device functionality. The new changes make it easier to set up complex commands and streamline repetitive actions.
Wallet App
The Wallet feature within iOS 18.4 has gained extensive improvements, such as enhanced Apple
Pay security features by allowing transaction tracking and new means of verification. These refinements boost payment security and provide a more streamlined experience to manage digital cards, passes, and payment methods.
EV Routing in Apple Maps
For electric vehicle (EV) owners, iOS 18.4 beta introduces EV routing enhancements in Apple Maps, improving trip planning for EV users. The update ensures better charging station recommendations, range estimations, and route optimizations, making Apple Maps a more comprehensive navigation tool for EV drivers.
App Store
Apple has introduced changes to the App Store in iOS 18.4 beta, improving app discovery and personalization. These modifications ensure that users receive more relevant app recommendations, making it easier to find high-quality applications based on user preferences and behavior.
Key Differences Between iOS 18.3 vs iOS 18.4
Apple is working on system performance, security, and user experience improvements with each iOS release. The move from iOS 18.3 to iOS 18.4 includes important progress in AI-powered features, notifications, and the functions of apps. The iOS 18.4 update improves stability over iOS 18.3 and adds personalization options.
The iOS 18.4 release date marks another step in Apple’s long-term development strategy, where each update focuses on seamless integration of AI, automation, and improved user experience. More details about Apple’s iOS development timeline and feature expectations can be found in Mattrics’ coverage of iOS 18.4’s release date and expected features, outlining what users can anticipate in future updates.