Author: Richard

### iOS 26.4 Developer Beta 4: Main Features and Enhancements

Apple has unveiled the iOS 26.4 developer beta 4, following the prior release of two variations of the third developer beta. This update brings an array of new capabilities and improvements, with a particular emphasis on Apple Music and enhancements in user experience.

#### Key Modifications in iOS 26.4

1. **Revamped Apple Music Interface**: The views for albums and playlists in Apple Music have undergone a redesign, offering a more user-friendly and visually pleasing experience.

2. **AI-Enhanced Features**: A prominent new addition is the “Playlist Playground,” an AI-based feature that creates personalized playlists tailored to user tastes and listening patterns.

3. **Personal Hotspot Data Usage Monitoring**: Users can now conveniently track data consumption for each device linked to their Personal Hotspot, providing better oversight of data usage.

4. **Automatic Stolen Device Detection**: This update enables the Stolen Device Detection feature by default, imparting an additional layer of security for iPhone users.

5. **End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging**: Apple is experimenting with support for end-to-end encrypted Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging, aimed at boosting privacy and security in communications.

6. **Improved Video Podcast Functionality**: The Podcasts app is poised for enhancements, especially concerning video podcasts, facilitating easier access to multimedia content for users.

7. **CarPlay Video Feature Development**: Advancements are underway for the CarPlay video capability, which will provide a more cohesive multimedia experience within vehicles.

#### Summary

As Apple continues to fine-tune iOS 26.4, users can look forward to an array of new features designed to enhance functionality and improve the overall experience on their devices. Keep an eye out for more updates as additional features are tested in the beta version.

During the earnings call held today, Asus co-CEO S.Y. Hsu responded to Apple’s introduction of the “affordable” MacBook Neo and its implications for the PC industry. Here’s his statement.

## ’Numerous discussions have taken place regarding how to rival this product’

On the brink of the official release of the MacBook Neo, Asus co-CEO S.Y. Hsu commented on Apple’s forthcoming device during his company’s earnings call.

According to PCMag, the executive addressed the “astonishing” price of the MacBook Neo, suggesting that the product is disrupting the PC market:

> “Historically, Apple’s pricing has always been on the higher side, so for them to introduce a highly affordable product is certainly a shock to the whole industry. (…) Indeed, across the entire PC ecosystem, numerous discussions have emerged about how to compete with this product.”

Conversely, Hsu raised doubts about the MacBook Neo’s capability to manage heavily demanding workloads. From PCMag:

> Despite the competitive challenge, Hsu contended that the MacBook Neo might have restricted appeal. He noted the device’s 8GB of “unified memory,” or its RAM, highlighting that customers cannot upgrade it.
>
> He characterized the MacBook Neo as a “content consumption” device, comparable to an iPad. “This contrasts with the usage of a conventional notebook,” which can manage more compute-intensive operations, Hsu stated.

## 9to5Mac’s perspective

While Hsu’s general reaction to the new MacBook Neo resonates with responses we’ve observed from the PC landscape, his comments regarding its performance and restricted productivity functions are reminiscent of Steve Ballmer’s notorious early rejection of the iPhone.

From our own review of the MacBook Neo, alongside various other reviews released earlier today, it’s evident that the device can handle productivity tasks that exceed basic content consumption. This applies to the iPad as well.

However, he is correct to emphasize the device’s non-upgradable 8GB of RAM as a significant drawback, possibly only second to the slow SSD speeds pointed out by The Verge in its analysis.

Nonetheless, framing it as a limited content consumption device might reflect more about how a PC manufacturer might approach creating a budget laptop than about the actual capabilities of the MacBook Neo.

Apple has introduced fresh beta software updates today, featuring developer beta 4 for iPadOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and additional releases. Public betas have also been introduced, emerging just a few hours after the developer editions.

### iPadOS 26.4 Beta 4 and More Now Available

Today, Apple has continued its recent trend of weekly 26.4 beta updates. Traditionally, many beta cycles experience two-week intervals between updates; however, the company has delivered new 26.4 betas weekly since the initial pre-release version launched last month. Last week, several updates even underwent two releases, as iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and watchOS 26.4 presented two separate versions of beta 3. This indicates that certain bugs arose in the initial releases that Apple wished to rectify swiftly.

The official beta 4 updates have been unveiled, rolling out today for Apple’s entire 26.4 software collection, including iPadOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, and others. Users are invited to share any new findings from these updates in the comments.

At present, Apple’s 26.4 software collection is anticipated to launch publicly within the upcoming weeks, with late March being the most probable release timeframe.