Less than a week to go before WWDC 2018, Apple has released iOS 11.4 to the public. We were expecting this as iOS 12 would be announced and showcased on stage during the keynote. The first ever beta for iOS 12 would then be released to developer beta testers within a few hours after the event. Today, iOS 11.4 was released, and it is a good update!
iOS 11.4
This new update is the fourth big iteration of iOS 11 and is the final iteration of iOS 11. iOS 11.4 brings significant features such as AirPlay 2, Messages in iCloud. Also, the new HomePod Stereo feature has also been released with 11.4 for all HomePod users. For me, the 11.4 update was around 1.9gb. However, depending on what iOS version you were on before updating, the update size may vary for you. Just to clarify, I have an iPhone 6. Therefore, the update size will also depend on your iPhone storage size.
What’s New?
With iOS 11.4 now being available to download, what exactly is new? Messages in iCloud basically stores all your iMessages in iCloud, enabling all your conversations to sync across your different Apple devices. Anything you do on one device, it will sync to another. Say you delete a message on your MacBook, you won’t see it anymore on your iPhone either. However, this doesn’t count the Apple Watch. Another new feature is HomePod stereo pair. The HomePod will now automatically adjust volume and bass based on the location of the speaker in the room. This will help make the listening experience more pleasant. AirPlay 2 has also been released which allows for you to connect to multiple AirPlay 2 – enabled speakers in your house.
These are just a few details about the new features within 11.4.
Here is the full change log:
iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2 multi-room audio, support for HomePod stereo pairs, and Messages in iCloud. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.
AirPlay 2
- Control your home audio system and AirPlay 2-enabled speakers throughout your house
- Play music at the same time on multiple AirPlay 2-enabled speakers in your house, all in sync
- Control AirPlay 2-enabled speakers from Control Center, the Lock screen, or AirPlay controls within apps on your iPhone or iPad
- Use your voice to control AirPlay 2-enabled speakers with Siri from your iPhone or iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV
- Take a call or play a game on your iPhone or iPad without interrupting playback on your AirPlay 2-enabled speakers
HomePod stereo pair
- This update supports setting up your HomePod stereo pair using your iPhone or iPad
- HomePod pair automatically senses its location in the room and balances the sound based on the speakers’ locations
- Advanced beamforming provides wider soundstage than traditional stereo pair
- HomePod will automatically update to support stereo pairs, unless auto updates are disabled in the Home app
Messages in iCloud
- Store your messages, photos, and other attachments in iCloud and free up space on your devices
- All your messages appear when you sign into a new device with the same iMessage account
- When you delete messages and conversations they are instantly removed from all your devices
- To turn on Messages in iCloud, enable Messages in iCloud settings (Settings > [your name] > iCloud)
- Your conversations continue to be end-to-end encrypted
Other improvements and fixes
- Enables teachers to assign their students reading activities in iBooks using the Schoolwork app
- Fixes an issue where certain character sequences could cause Messages to crash
- Addresses a Messages issue that could cause some messages to appear out of order
- Addresses an issue that could prevent logging in or accessing files on Google Drive, Google Docs and Gmail in Safari
- Fixes an issue that could prevent data syncing in Health
- Fixes an issue that could prevent users from changing what apps can access Health data
- Resolves an issue that could cause an app to appear in an incorrect location on the Home screen
- Fixes an issue where CarPlay audio could become distorted
- Fixes an issue where selecting music from your iPhone could fail when playing music over Bluetooth or when connected to USB on some vehicles
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below!
Author: Holden Satterwhite
Founder of Appleosophy and Redfruit Media. Twitter: @hesatter
