Apple users in Europe will have to wait a few weeks longer before they can access Apple Intelligence’s features on their iPhones and iPads. However, developers can get a head start by exploring these new capabilities through the first betas of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, which are now available. These betas are particularly significant as they bring support for Apple Intelligence’s functions to the European Union, across eight key languages including French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. The anticipation surrounding this first beta of iOS 18.4 is evident, as Apple has taken its time to ensure that the release is as polished as possible.

What iOS 18.4 Brings to the Table

While the general public won’t get their hands on these features until April, developers can dive in now. Apple is expected to release a public beta in the coming days, allowing more adventurous users to experience the latest without waiting for the official release. Here’s a rundown of the new features:

• Notification Summary: This feature consolidates notifications into a concise summary, although Apple had to refine it after initial complaints from publishers. The feature, sums up the content of one or more notifications and “Apple Intelligence tended to tell any words” has been fine-tuned for better accuracy.
• Writing Assistance Tools: Available in all text-entry apps, these tools correct errors, rewrite text, and provide options for different tones (friendly, professional, concise), and list creation.
• Email Reorganization: Emails are categorized into sections such as Important, Work, Subscriptions, and Promotions, improving overall organization and efficiency.
• Email Summaries: Emails are summarized into two or three sentences for quick overviews.
• Smart Email Responses: Users are prompted to review suggested responses before sending.
• Text Transcription and Summary: Phone calls and voice memos in the Notes app are transcribed and summarized.
• Memory Creation in Photos: Text queries can generate photo memories in the Photos app.
• Image Playground: This app generates images from text prompts and/or photos, similar to apps like Midjourney.
• Genmoji: Integrates into the emoji keyboard, generating custom emojis from text prompts.
• Visual Intelligence: Similar to Google Lens, this feature allows users to identify objects or places by holding down the camera button on iPhone 16.
• Siri: Offers a new interface, improved contextual understanding, and better access to device settings and app functionalities.
• ChatGPT Integration: Users can utilize the OPENAI bot when additional context or suggestions are needed by integrating it through writing assistance tools.

This list is extensive, and Apple is continually adding more features. For instance, Siri is expected to gain a more comprehensive understanding of device context and access specific app functions. However, some anticipated features have been moved to later updates.

Even in its beta stage, many of these features are fully active. It should be noted that while all features are heavy on processing, much of the basic tasks can be completed locally on the device, ensuring faster processing. Additionally, Apple has ensured that any data handled on their servers will be kept secure and private, adhering to their Private Cloud Compute solution, their solution “aims at preserving privacy “.

Compatibility and EU-Specific Features

The iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 versions are not just about new features; they also bring EU-specific options mandated by DSA (The Digital Markets Act, Some time in February, The Biden administration has proposed new rules) . Users in Europe can now choose default navigation and translation apps, a feature aligned with the EU’s emphasis on competition and user choice. Additionally, the update includes a new set of emojis, including a poignant symbol for our times—a tired eye surrounded by eye bags.