Apple Releases iOS 18.4 Public Beta 1, Bringing Apple Intelligence to Wider Audience
Apple has unveiled the first Public Beta version of iOS 18.4, following the release of iOS 18.4 Beta 1 for developers. The Public Beta release was initially scheduled for next week, but Apple evidently accelerated the timeline due to concerns with iOS 18.4 Beta 1.
Expanded Apple Intelligence Features
iOS 18.4 Public Beta 1 introduces several new features, including enhanced Apple Intelligence capabilities. Apple Intelligence now supports ten additional languages:
- Simplified Chinese
- German
- French
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Spanish
- Hindi (localized English for India)
- Singaporean English (localized English for Singapore)
With this expansion, Apple Intelligence features are now accessible in a wider range of countries, particularly in the European Union.
Priority Notifications and Other Enhancements
Alongside the expanded language support, iOS 18.4 Public Beta 1 introduces a new feature called Priority Notifications. This feature allows users to designate certain notifications as high-priority, aggregating them in a dedicated section of the Control Center. Users can customize this feature by selecting the desired notifications from Settings > Notifications > Priority Notifications.
Other enhancements in iOS 18.4 Public Beta 1 include:
- Sketch View for Image Playground: This feature from the WWDC event allows users to refine AI-generated images.
- Ambient Music Categories in Control Center: Users can now add music categories such as Sleep, Relaxation, Productivity, and Health to the Control Center for easy access.
Siri Upgrades Still Pending
Despite expectations, the iOS 18.4 Public Beta 1 does not include the anticipated Siri upgrades. These upgrades were expected to enhance Siri’s AI capabilities with features such as screen awareness, in-app actions, and personal context understanding. It remains unclear if these features will be introduced in iOS 18.4 or a subsequent release.
Release Timeline and Outlook
Apple is expected to release the stable version of iOS 18.4 in early April. The exact release date and the inclusion of Turkish language support in Apple Intelligence are still uncertain.
iOS 18.4 Beta 1 Issues Resolved
The release of the Public Beta ahead of schedule suggests that Apple has addressed the issues that prompted the withdrawal of iOS 18.4 Beta 1 from certain iPhone and iPad models. These issues primarily affected the iPhone 12 series, iPad 8, iPad Air 4th Generation, and the 11-inch and 13-inch M2 iPad Air models.
Conclusion
The release of iOS 18.4 Public Beta 1 marks a significant milestone in Apple’s software development cycle. The expanded language support for Apple Intelligence enhances its accessibility and usability for a larger audience. Other features such as Priority Notifications and Ambient Music categories add convenience and personalization to the user experience. While the absence of Siri upgrades is a minor disappointment, it underscores Apple’s commitment to thorough testing and iteratively improving its software offerings. With the stable release of iOS 18.4 expected in early April, users can anticipate a range of enhancements and refinements to their Apple devices.
