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  • iOS 18.5 might fix Apple’s top AI issues

    iOS 18.5 might fix Apple’s top AI issues

    Apple is testing iOS 18.4 right now, and it’s full of cool new stuff. But according to Mark Gurman, the next update, iOS 18.5, will tackle two of Apple’s biggest AI challenges: a smarter Siri and AI features for China.

    What’s Coming in iOS 18.5, According to Gurman

    In his Power On newsletter, Gurman talked about iOS 18.4’s features before hinting at what’s next. He says iOS 18.5 will bring the exciting stuff—like a supercharged Siri that Apple showed off last summer and AI tools for users in China. Normally, a late update like this doesn’t get big changes, but iOS 18.5 is different with two major upgrades.

    A Smarter Siri

    Siri’s big makeover is finally happening. It’ll do all the fancy things Apple promised at WWDC last year—stuff people thought would already be here after seeing the ads. For example, Siri will handle tons of new tasks inside apps and even between them. That means you can ask it to do things by voice instead of tapping around.

    Another neat trick? Siri will see what’s on your screen and help based on that. Plus, it’ll know more about you—like your recent meetings, messages, or places you’ve been. Ask it anything about your life, and Siri will answer like a real helper. Apple’s been tweaking Siri bit by bit, but iOS 18.5 should make it feel brand new.

    AI Features in China

    This won’t affect everyone, but it’s huge for Apple. In China, local phone brands already have their own AI tools, putting pressure on Apple. Bringing Apple Intelligence to China with iOS 18.5 is a must to keep up. iPhone sales there have been slow lately, though Tim Cook says not to panic. He’s hopeful because where AI features are live, sales are better. So, this update could give iPhones a big lift in China.

    When Will iOS 18.5 Arrive?

    Gurman thinks iOS 18.5 will roll out around May, though it might slip to June since iOS 18.4 hits in April. Either way, Apple wants it ready before WWDC 2025 starts. These changes could be a game-changer for Siri fans and Apple’s China market!

  • Apple pushes back big Siri reveal for iOS 19

    Apple pushes back big Siri reveal for iOS 19

    Last year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared that Apple was working on a friendlier, chattier Siri for iOS 19.4, powered by smarter tech called “large language models.” But in his latest Power On newsletter, he says this upgrade, meant to rival ChatGPT, is falling behind inside Apple.

    What’s Happening with iOS 19?

    Gurman explained that Apple won’t show off this talkative Siri at WWDC 2025 in June as planned. It also won’t be ready for iOS 19.4, expected around March or April next year. Instead, some engineers at Apple now think this big Siri update might not come until iOS 20.

    • This delay hints that Apple is still playing catch-up to companies like OpenAI in the AI race.
    • Even so, Gurman believes iOS 19 will bring small tweaks to Siri’s core setup, helping it tackle trickier questions.

    What’s Coming Soon?

    While waiting, iOS 18.2 has already added a ChatGPT boost to Siri. Later updates should bring Google Gemini into the mix too. Meanwhile, iOS 18.5, due in May, will give Siri new tricks—like noticing what’s on your screen, understanding you better, and controlling apps more deeply. These were supposed to hit with iOS 18.4, but the shift shows Apple’s ongoing struggles to keep up its timeline.

  • Exciting updates coming to iOS 18.4 with Apple Intelligence

    Exciting updates coming to iOS 18.4 with Apple Intelligence

    The iOS 18.4 update was meant to include new Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence, but Apple decided to hold off on those for more testing. Even so, this update still brings some cool additions that’ll make it worth downloading when it arrives in April.

    Important Alerts First

    Apple shared the idea of Priority Notifications at WWDC in June 2024, and now it’s finally here. This handy feature has been eagerly awaited since iOS 18 launched in September.

    With Priority Notifications, your phone figures out which alerts matter most by looking at the timing and details. For example, if you’re waiting for a food delivery, that alert jumps to the top when it’s almost time. It works the same for anything urgent or tied to a schedule.

    You’ll need to switch it on manually in the iOS 18.4 beta by going to Settings > Notifications > Turn On Priority Alerts. Once it’s active, these key alerts appear at the top of your Lock Screen in a special box with a clear icon. Swipe down to see the rest of your notifications as usual.

    Fun with Image Playground

    When Image Playground first came out, it let you create pictures in two styles: Animation and Illustration. A third option was always planned, and now it’s here with the iOS 18.4 beta—Sketch. Sketch gives your images a hand-drawn look, different from the 3D Animation style or the bold, simple Illustration vibe. Apple calls Sketch “detailed and scholarly,” with beautiful drawings on plain backgrounds. Animation has a playful, 3D cartoon feel, while Illustration uses strong lines and bright colors.

    More Languages Supported

    With iOS 18.4, Apple Intelligence will work in new languages like French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese. It’ll also support English tailored for India and Singapore.

    When’s It Coming?

    Apple has released one beta of iOS 18.4 to developers and testers so far. Another beta is expected next week, with testing running through March. The full release is set for early April.

    What About Siri?

    There’s still hope the delayed Siri features might sneak into a later iOS 18.4 beta, but with just a month left, it’s doubtful. Instead, they’ll likely land in iOS 18.5. Normally, big updates don’t hit in a .5 release, but Apple’s been rolling out iOS 18 features bit by bit—and iOS 19 might even be delayed to focus on perfecting iOS 18.

  • Apple announces iOS 18.4 launch in April with exciting updates

    Apple announces iOS 18.4 launch in April with exciting updates

    Apple recently shared that iOS 18.4 will roll out in April, bringing fresh features for iPhone users.

    What’s New in iOS 18.4

    Apple News+ Food Section

    Starting with iOS 18.4, Apple News+ subscribers will enjoy a brand-new Food section. It’s packed with thousands of recipes, plus articles on restaurants, healthy eating tips, and kitchen must-haves. Top food magazines like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, and Serious Eats will contribute content. The first test version of iOS 18.4 is already out for developers and curious users to try. While some expected Siri upgrades—like understanding personal details or screen info—aren’t in this beta, there are still plenty of cool additions to explore.

    Key Features Available Now

    Priority Notifications

    A handy new tool sorts your most urgent alerts and puts them front and center on your Lock Screen. You can switch this on in Settings under Notifications. Note: This works only on iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, or any iPhone 16.

    Apple News+ Food

    The Food section in the News app offers subscribers tons of recipes and food stories at no extra charge. You can browse daily updates, save favorites for later, and even use a step-by-step cooking mode—all beautifully laid out.

    Ambient Music

    A new Control Center option lets you play relaxing tunes sorted into four moods: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.

    More Goodies

    This update expands Apple Intelligence to languages like French, Spanish, Japanese, and more. There’s also a “Sketch” style for creating images from text in Image Playground. In some cars with big screens, CarPlay now shows extra app icons. Plus, EU users can pick a default maps app, and everyone can choose a translation app.

    Coming Soon

    Vision Pro App

    Later, iOS 18.4 will add an app for Vision Pro owners to manage downloads, explore TV content, and get tips—available once the update hits.

    New Emoji

    Fresh emojis—like a tired face, fingerprint, or shovel—will join the lineup, continuing Apple’s tradition of fun updates.

    With iOS 18.4, Apple keeps making your iPhone experience better and more personal!

  • Apple’s new ‘HomePad’ gets a cooking boost in iOS 18.4

    Apple’s new ‘HomePad’ gets a cooking boost in iOS 18.4

    The iOS 18.4 beta just dropped, and it’s got a cool surprise: a Food hub and cooking guide in Apple News. But here’s the real kicker—a new gadget I’m calling the ‘HomePad’ is on the way, and this cooking feature feels like it was made just for it.

    iOS 18.4 Brings a Fun Cooking Tool

    People thought iOS 18.4 would focus on making Siri smarter. That’s not in the first beta yet—maybe it’s coming in iOS 18.5. Instead, we got a shiny new food section that’s stealing the show. If you’ve got Apple News+, the News app now has a special Food area. It’s packed with recipes, restaurant details, and a handy cooking mode—perfect for food lovers.

    Apple’s press release explains it best:

    The Food feature lets you explore tons of recipes in a Recipe Catalog that grows daily. The layout is simple and pretty, showing ingredients and steps clearly. There’s a cook mode that zooms in on each step, and you can save recipes to use offline later.

    It’s a lot like how Apple Music shows lyrics or Podcasts display transcripts—a clean, bold look that highlights the text. The step you’re on glows, while others stay faded but readable. It works great on iPhones and iPads, but it’s going to shine on the HomePad when it arrives, probably this spring. Maybe it’ll even get its own Cook app!

    HomePad: Your Kitchen Buddy

    Mark Gurman says the HomePad will be super flexible for any room. It’ll come with parts you can swap—like wall mounts for a security panel vibe or bases with speakers for the kitchen or desk. Apple sees it helping with FaceTime calls while you cook or chat in work meetings.

    I bet there’ll be a fridge magnet option too, even if Gurman didn’t mention it.

    We’ve spotted clues in iOS 18.4’s code about this Home gadget, including something called ‘CookingKit’ that fits the HomePad perfectly. Picture this: a hands-free recipe guide where you just say, “Siri, next step,” and keep cooking.

    Cooking help is only one piece of the HomePad puzzle, but it already sounds like a fresh twist on Apple’s lineup.

  • New handy feature in Apple’s Passwords app with iOS 18.4

    New handy feature in Apple’s Passwords app with iOS 18.4

    The first iOS 18.4 beta is out now, and it’s available for public testers too. Among its updates, there’s a neat little improvement to the verification codes in Apple’s Passwords app. Here’s what you need to know.

    A Timer Shows When Codes Will Refresh

    Aaron Perris shared on X that the Passwords app has a helpful new twist in the iOS 18.4 beta. The verification codes—those short codes you use for extra security—now come with a countdown timer. This shows you exactly how much time is left before they run out and are replaced with new ones.

    When you go to the Codes section in the app, you’ll notice a small ring in the top-right corner. This ring starts empty and slowly fills up with green as time passes. It’s an easy way to see how long your current codes will last. Once the ring turns fully green, the codes expire and refresh automatically.

    You can also check this timer when looking at a specific password’s details. If that entry has a verification code, the countdown will appear right next to it. Perris pointed out that this update isn’t just for iPhones—it’s also in macOS Sequoia 15.4 and works in the Passwords Menu Bar app on Macs.

    This might seem like a tiny addition, but it’s super useful. Before, there was no clear way to tell when a code was about to stop working. Now, with this simple timer, you can stay on top of your security codes without any guesswork. It’s a small step that makes a big difference for something so important.

  • Apple rolls out first test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4

    Apple rolls out first test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4

    Apple has just released the first public test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, watchOS 11.4, and tvOS 15.4. These updates let everyday testers try out fresh features before they officially launch. This comes shortly after Apple shared the same updates with app developers.

    What’s New for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

    Anyone signed up for Apple’s public testing program can grab these updates from the Settings app on their devices. The latest software brings some handy additions. For instance, Priority Notifications, powered by Apple Intelligence, puts your most urgent alerts at the top. There’s also a fun Sketch option in Image Playground for creating cool designs.

    Apple News+ fans will enjoy a new Food section packed with recipes, tasty stories, and healthy eating advice. Plus, a relaxing Ambient Music feature is now available right from the Control Center.

    Special Features Coming in iOS 18.4

    The iOS 18.4 update includes a Vision Pro app for owners of the headset. This app makes it simple to find and download new apps, games, and shows straight from your iPhone. It also lets you control Vision Pro’s Guest Mode from your iPhone or iPad, so friends can easily try out the headset.

    Updates for iPad and Mac

    The iPad and Mac updates bring Mail Categorization, a tool that sorts your emails neatly. Until now, this was only available on the iPhone.

    Want to Know More?

    These test versions give a sneak peek at what’s coming. For all the details on the new features, check out our full iOS 18.4 beta rundown.

    With these updates, Apple is making its devices smarter and more fun to use. If you’re a tester, dive in and see what’s new!

  • Apple’s smart features now available in the EU with iOS 18.4

    Apple’s smart features now available in the EU with iOS 18.4

    The latest iOS 18.4 update brings a bunch of exciting changes for iPhone users. For those in the EU, there’s one massive highlight in the first beta version: Apple’s smart features, called Apple Intelligence, are finally fully available.

    Apple Intelligence Arrives for EU Users with iOS 18.4 Beta

    When Apple first showed off Apple Intelligence at WWDC last June, excitement quickly turned to disappointment for EU users. The company said its AI tools wouldn’t work in the EU at launch due to some tricky local rules they had to figure out. This restriction only hit iPhones and iPads because of specific EU laws under the Digital Markets Act. Macs, however, weren’t affected.

    After a long wait, Apple shared some great news. Just as Apple Intelligence rolled out widely, the company promised EU iPhone users they’d get it too—in April through a software update. That update looks like it’s iOS 18.4. The first iOS 18.4 beta is out now, and EU beta testers can already enjoy Apple Intelligence ahead of the big April release. This update also adds support for more languages, which fits perfectly with the timing.

    No More Limits for EU Users

    Before this, EU iPhone and iPad owners couldn’t use Apple Intelligence at all. It didn’t matter how your device was set up—Apple blocked it based on where you were. Now, that’s history. For beta testers, the only place still missing out is China, but there’s hope that might change soon too.

    If you’re not on the beta, no worries—iOS 18.4 will hit all devices in early April, bringing Apple Intelligence to everyone in the EU. This update marks a big win for iPhone fans who’ve been patiently waiting to try out these clever new tools.

  • Apple stops new iOS 18.4 and watchOS 11.4 test updates for some devices

    Apple stops new iOS 18.4 and watchOS 11.4 test updates for some devices

    Today, Apple halted the watchOS 11.4 beta 1 update for all Apple Watch Series 6 users, meaning they can’t try out this early version anymore. This info comes from Aaron Perris on X. Apple also paused iOS and iPadOS 18.4 beta 1 for certain iPhones and iPads.

    watchOS 11.4 Beta Removed

    Apple rolled out the watchOS 11.4 beta just yesterday, along with iOS 18.4 beta, visionOS 2.4 beta, and others. While those updates brought some cool new stuff, it’s not clear what was different about watchOS 11.4 beta.

    Two people on the r/watchOSbeta subreddit said their Apple Watches stopped working after installing it. One mentioned they had a Series 6, but the other didn’t say which model. Because of this, Apple likely decided to pull the update. Aaron says this affects all Series 6 versions: GPS (40mm and 44mm) and GPS + Cellular (40mm and 44mm).

    iOS and iPadOS 18.4 Beta Stopped Too

    Apple also blocked iOS 18.4 beta 1 for several devices, like most iPhone 12 models, some 2020 iPads, and the cellular versions of the latest iPad Air. People noticed their devices kept restarting after the update, though the exact problem isn’t clear. Here’s the list of affected devices:

    • iPhone 12 Pro
    • iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • iPhone 12 mini
    • iPad 8 (Cellular)
    • iPad Air 4 (Wi-Fi)
    • iPad Air 4 (Cellular)
    • iPad Air 11-inch (M2) (Cellular)
    • iPad Air 13-inch (M2) (Cellular)

    Hopefully, Apple will fix these issues and bring the betas back soon. It’s funny how most of the devices having trouble came out in 2020. For now, users with these gadgets will have to wait a bit longer for the next test versions.

  • New food features coming to Apple News+ with iOS 18.4

    New food features coming to Apple News+ with iOS 18.4

    Apple is bringing exciting updates to its Apple News+ service with the release of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. Soon, subscribers will enjoy a fresh section called Apple News+ Food, packed with thousands of recipes, restaurant tales, healthy eating advice, kitchen must-haves, and more.

    The content will be sourced from popular food magazines and websites like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Good Food, and Serious Eats. These well-known names will fill the section with tasty ideas and helpful tips.

    Apple News editors will handpick the best food stories to share with readers. Plus, there’ll be a special Recipe Catalog area where new dishes are added often. A handy cook mode will guide users through each step of a recipe, making it easy to follow along. Subscribers can also save their favorite recipes to use even without an internet connection.

    This delicious upgrade, Apple News+ Food, will roll out to all Apple News+ users when iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 launch in April. It’s a great way to explore new meals, get cooking inspiration, and learn more about food—all in one place!