Apple releases iOS 18.4 beta 4 for iPhone and iPad

Apple releases iOS 18.4 beta 4 for iPhone and iPad

  • 18.03.2025 10:50
  • 9to5mac.com
  • Keywords: AI, Apple

Apple released iOS 18.4 beta 4 for iPhone and iPad, introducing new features including Visual Intelligence support and new emojis. The update also expands Apple Intelligence to multiple languages and is expected to launch in April.

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Apple is expanding its AI capabilities with the release of iOS 18.4 beta 4, which includes features like Visual Intelligence and Apple News+ Food recipes service.

Context

Business Insights and Market Implications of iOS 18.4 Beta Release

  • Release Timing: Apple released iOS 18.4 beta 4 for iPhone and iPad, with public betas becoming available at 4:20 p.m. ET.
  • New Features in Beta 2: Introduced Visual Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro, enabling visual search through Control Center, the Action button, or Shortcuts on iPhone 16/Pro starting with iOS 18.4.
  • Emoji Update: Added new emoji characters for the first time in a year, catering to user demand for fresh and diverse表情符号.
  • Beta 1 Highlights: Over 50 new features introduced, including:
    • CarPlay Design Changes: Enhanced user experience for in-car systems.
    • Priority Notifications: Leveraging Apple Intelligence for smarter notification management.
    • Apple News+ Food Recipes Service: A new content offering to attract food enthusiasts.
    • Mood-Based Music Shortcuts: Personalized music recommendations via Control Center.
  • Language Expansion: Apple Intelligence will support multiple languages in the final update, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (simplified), and localized English for Singapore and India. This reflects a strategic push to globalize its AI features.
  • Release Timeline: Final version expected in April, aligning with Apple's typical update cadence.

Market and Competitive Dynamics:

  • Competitive Edge: The continuous release of new features underscores Apple's commitment to innovation, potentially enhancing customer loyalty and differentiation from competitors like Google and Samsung.
  • Strategic Localization: Expanding AI support to multiple languages could tap into new markets and increase global adoption of Apple devices.
  • Long-Term Effects: Regular software updates may drive sustained hardware sales, as users often upgrade devices to access the latest features.

Regulatory Considerations:

  • No specific regulatory impacts mentioned in the text, but future updates may require compliance with regional data privacy laws as Apple expands its global reach.