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“Discovering the Main Highlights of iOS 18.4: Fresh Emoji, Ambient Sound, and Other Improvements [Video]”

# Discovering the Latest Additions in iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4

Apple has officially launched iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, bringing a variety of new features and improvements for users. Although the eagerly awaited contextual Siri with on-screen awareness did not feature in this update, there are nonetheless several significant enhancements that elevate the user experience. Below, we explore the key features of iOS 18.4 that users should be aware of.

## Fresh Emoji

Among the more playful updates in iOS 18.4 is the addition of seven new emoji characters, as announced by the Unicode Consortium last year. These new emoji consist of:

– Face with bags under eyes
– Fingerprint
– Leafless tree
– Root vegetable
– Harp
– Shovel
– Splatter

These additions, while not revolutionary, help to address some gaps in the emoji collection. Users should be aware that to see these new characters, both the sender and recipient must be using iOS 18.4 or newer.

## Ambient Music

A key highlight of this update is the Ambient Music option that can be accessed via the Control Center. Users now have the opportunity to enjoy four ambient music stations tailored for various moods and activities:

– **Sleep**: Features playlists like Sleep Sounds and Piano Sleep.
– **Chill**: Includes options such as Piano Chill and Lo-Fi Jazz.
– **Productivity**: Contains playlists like BEATStrumentals and Pure Focus.
– **Wellbeing**: Offers playlists such as Pure Meditation and Beats & Breath.

The Ambient Music interface is reminiscent of a streamlined version of the Music app, allowing users to control playback with ease. Furthermore, users can personalize these stations with their own playlists from Apple Music.

## Notification Prioritization

For users with Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones, a new feature has been introduced that allows for the prioritization of notifications. By turning this option on in Settings → Notifications, significant notifications will stand out on the Lock Screen, making them easier to notice. Users can choose which apps they want to receive prioritized notifications from.

## Enhanced Visual Intelligence Shortcuts

The Visual Intelligence capability has been upgraded in iOS 18.4, providing users with easier access through the Control Center. This feature allows users to gather insights on items in their camera view, utilizing resources such as ChatGPT or Google Image Search. The update also supports recognizing plants and animals, along with adding events from posters directly to the calendar.

## Apple News+ Cooking Recipes

For subscribers of Apple News+, the News app now boasts a food recipes feature. This is particularly advantageous on the iPad, where users can access ingredients and step-by-step instructions in tandem with articles. The built-in timers simplify following recipes, hinting at a future integration with Apple’s anticipated HomePod device.

## Support for Robot Vacuums via Matter

iOS 18.4 incorporates support for robot vacuums that are Matter-compatible. Users are now able to seamlessly add these devices to the Home app and control them through Siri, enhancing home automation even further.

## Proximity-Based Setup for macOS

With the introduction of iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4, Apple has finally rolled out proximity-based setup for Macs. Users can now set up new Macs using a nearby iPhone or iPad, simplifying the configuration process for new devices.

## Updates to the iPadOS Mail App

Significant enhancements have been made to the Mail app on iPadOS, now including the same categories feature available on iPhone. Users can now manage their emails more efficiently with categories such as Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions.

## Photography App Improvements

The Photos app has experienced updates as well, including the ability to organize items within utilities and media types sections, filter out items not included in an album, and switch the albums view from list mode to key photo mode.

## Safari Recent Searches Privacy

Users now have the ability to conceal recent searches in Safari. This can be accomplished by heading to Settings → Apps → Safari and turning off the “Show Recent Searches” toggle, resulting in a cleaner browsing experience.

## Closing Thoughts

Although the lack of new Siri features may disappoint some users, iOS 18.4 nonetheless presents a range of improvements that enhance usability and functionality. From fresh emoji to exciting features like Ambient Music and refined notification management, there’s much for users to explore. For a detailed overview of all the new features, be sure to check out the comprehensive video roundup available on platforms like YouTube.

What are your thoughts on the new features in iOS 18.4? Share your insights and experiences as you dive into the latest updates!