Apple has recently rolled out the beta versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and visionOS 2.4. According to noted industry analyst Mark Gurman, these beta iterations are close to what the final public releases will entail. These versions represent release candidates and showcase numerous new features and refinements.
Originally, iOS 18.4 was designed to bring the final touches of Apple Intelligence, including an enhanced Siri experience. However, these high-profile features have been postponed yet again. Consequently, iOS 18.4 presents some additional changes, albeit less groundbreaking:
- Priority notifications now appear prominently at the top
- Enhanced Apple Intelligence support for eight new languages
- A dedicated food section introduced in Apple News+
- New filtering and sorting options for Photos
Additionally, Apple Vision Pro is finally welcoming Apple Intelligence with the launch of visionOS 2.4. Some of the innovative AI-driven features include:
- Writing Tools for text generation, rewriting, proofreading, and summarization
- An Image Playground for AI-powered image generation
- A Clean Up tool for Photos
- Integration with ChatGPT
While many of these enhancements align with existing features in iOS, the new offerings, like the food section in Apple News+ and the updated Image Playground option, are sure to enhance user experience. The Mail app is also set to receive new categorization options similar to those available on iPhone devices.
In addition to these major updates, Apple has also put out other release candidate beta versions for its operating systems, including tvOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, and watchOS 11.4. Notably, iOS 18.4 marks the end of the iOS 18 series, and anticipation is building for the unveiling of iOS 19 at the upcoming WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) in 2025.
Insider reports suggest that Apple is contemplating a full redesign of iOS, drawing inspiration from visionOS. However, the company is adopting a more cautious approach towards WWDC 2025, aiming to avoid the pitfalls of last year's over-promising and under-delivering. This prudent strategy is a wise move, and many users hope that iOS 19 will truly be an exciting advancement.
