In an era where digital content is king, Apple is set to enhance its Apple News+ offering by introducing a dedicated Food section. Slated for release with both iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, Apple News+ Food will bring to the table an array of tens of thousands of recipes. Furthermore, subscribers can look forward to engaging stories about restaurants, healthy eating, and kitchen essentials. This expansion will include content from renowned food publishers such as Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine.
Apple describes this new feature as a beautifully designed recipe format that is easy to navigate. Users will be able to browse, search, and filter through the extensive Recipe Catalog. An added cook mode will display step-by-step instructions in full screen, enhancing the cooking experience. For those who like to plan meals on the go, the ability to save favorite recipes and access them offline is a thoughtful touch.
Priority Notifications: Smarter Interaction
The first beta of iOS 18.4, already available to developers and public beta testers, introduces a groundbreaking feature for managing notifications. The new Priority Notifications function, powered by Apple Intelligence, allows users to highlight their most important alerts on the Lock Screen. This feature can be activated in the Settings app under Notifications → Prioritize Notifications. However, it's important to note that Priority Notifications will require an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or an iPhone 16 model to function.
Ambient Music: Enhancing Your Environment
Another notable addition is the Ambient Music feature integrated into the Control Center. This new function is designed to enrich the user's environment, offering a quick way to play music suited to different moods and activities such as sleep, chill, productivity, and wellbeing. The intuitive categorization and ease of access promise to make this a favorite among users looking to tailor their auditory surroundings.More Languages and Enhanced CarPlay
Expanding its global reach, iOS 18.4 will support Apple Intelligence features in additional languages, including French, German, and Japanese, among others. For CarPlay users, an upgrade will introduce an extra row of app icons on very large dashboard displays, enhancing usability and access.
Upcoming Features: Vision Pro and New Emoji
Looking ahead, the iOS 18.4 update will also introduce the Vision Pro app, a new platform for Vision Pro users to enhance their interaction with their devices. This includes streamlined access to new apps, games, and Apple TV content. Additionally, the update is expected to include a new set of emoji, enriching text communication with fresh, expressive icons.