iOS 18.4: Enhanced Siri, New Emoji, and More
Expected Features and Improvements
Apple's iOS 18.4, expected in April, promises significant enhancements, including improvements to Siri via Apple Intelligence, new emoji, and support for third-party navigation and translation apps in the EU. This update follows the recent release of iOS 18.3 and builds upon existing features.
Apple Intelligence Upgrades for Siri
Apple Intelligence will boost Siri's capabilities on iPhone 15 Pro models and the upcoming iPhone 16 series. These enhancements include improved on-screen awareness, deeper app and settings control, and personalized responses based on user habits. For more on Apple's AI advancements, see Gemini Workspace Updates.
Expanded Language Support for Apple Intelligence
Initially limited to English in select regions, Apple Intelligence will expand to other languages like Chinese, French, German, and more with the iOS 18.4 update. Some languages will be added later in 2025. This expansion aligns with Apple's broader push for accessibility, as seen with features like native third-party autofill in Chrome Android.
New Emoji and EU Default App Support
iOS 18.4 will introduce new emoji, including a face with bags under its eyes, a fingerprint, and a shovel. In compliance with the Digital Markets Act, EU users will be able to set default navigation and translation apps like Google Maps and Google Translate. This change reflects the growing trend of user choice and customization, similar to OnePlus and OPPO replacing the alert slider with a customizable button.
Robot Vacuum Integration and Other Improvements
The Home app will gain robot vacuum control, allowing users to manage cleaning modes and use Siri voice commands. This addition further integrates smart home devices into the Apple ecosystem. The update also paves the way for future features and improvements, building on the foundation laid by previous updates like the Pixel February Update.