Apple continues to develop its arsenal of artificial intelligence functions for iPhone, iPad and Mac devices, and the next software update, iOS 18.4, is no exception. Scheduled to be released soon, this version will introduce six new improvements and features for Apple Intelligence on compatible iPhone devices. Here's what this version new brings you if you have a iPhone compatible Apple Intelligence.
Table of Contents
Priority notifications: an added order on the iPhone screen
One of the appreciated functions of Apple Intelligence is the ability to summarize notifications, saving time and reducing the crowds on the screen. Especially if you have many applications that send notifications frequently. With iOS 18.4, Apple carries this idea further by introducing "priority notifications).
This function of prioritizing notifications divides the alerts into two distinct categories on the lock screen: the notifications considered essential will be displayed in a highlighted area, while the least important will appear below, with a more discreet visual presentation. Users have the freedom to activate or deactivate this option for each application, thus personalizing the experience according to their own priorities.
Visual Intelligence arrives on multiple iPhone models
Initially launched exclusively for the iPhone 16, the Visual Intelligence feature, which allows to identify objects and information in the images, now becomes available for iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Although these models do not have the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16, Apple has introduced access to Visual Intelligence through a new button in Control Center, which can also be configured on the action button or on the lock screen.
Also, in iOS 18.4, the Visual Intelligence feature is introduced for iPhone 16E devices.
Image Playground receives a new graphic style on iOS 18.4
Apple originally entered the appImage Playgroundwith three graphic styles for creating images AI:
- Animation
- Illustration
- Sketching
With iOS 18.4, Apple completes the initially promised trio, at the launch of iOS 18.2 in December, by adding the "sketch" style (Sketch), which mimics the drawing with the pencil. This option offers an extra creativity, for both new and existing images, which can be reissued in this style.
Faster reviews in the App Store
I do not know exactly how welcome this new capability is, but it seems that artificial intelligence also makes its place in the App Store to create summaries of user reviews. In iOS 18.4 listings of applications and games will now include summaries generated by user reviews. Although complete reviews remain available, these summaries provide a quick look at general opinions, helping users to make faster decisions when choosing an application (if artificial intelligence will provide a relevant summary).
Support for new languages
One of the weaknesses of Apple Intelligence at the beginning was the limitation to English. Although the support was later extended to regional variants of the English language, many users were dissatisfied with this limitation. Starting with iOS 18.4, Apple Apple Intelligence support for eight languages: French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (simplified). In addition, users in India and Singapore will benefit from local English support.
Making a small bracket, I still hope Apple will turn their attention to the countries of Eastern Europe. The introduction of Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian and other languages. would show that Apple is indeed a company that respects all users. Especially since Apple Intelligence knows that it is based on the language developed by Openai, which provides support for many languages. As this technology evolves, Chatgpt has little and will be able to respond in "dead languages" or unwritten.
Apple Intelligence arrives in the European Union
As many of you certainly already know, Apple Intelligence arrives with some delay in the European Union countries (I wrote about it here and here). Fortunately, with iOS 18.4, this expectation ends for Europe, where your functions will be available for the first time on the iPhone and iPad. Previously, just Mac users From the EU they could access these features, but the update eliminates this restriction.
How much do we expect for a smarter Siri?
If you expect major upgrades for Siri you will be able to continue the wait. The current update does not bring us a smarter assistant, apart from the integration with Chatgpt who is already available on Mac. However, as we approach the WWDC 2025, where IOS 19 launch is expected, there are hopes for new innovations in the sphere of artificial intelligence. Until then, I say, iOS 18.4 offers enough news to maintain our interest.
For iPhone 14 and 2022 devices, this update does not bring anything spectacular. Although launched just two and a half years ago, the range of iPhone 14 (and older models) devices are not compatible with Apple Intelligence.
