Apple’s upcoming iPadOS 18.4 update introduces a suite of enhancements designed to elevate the iPad experience. From culinary assistance to creative tools, here’s an in-depth look at the standout features:
1. Cooking Mode in Apple News+
The Apple News app is expanding its offerings with a dedicated Food section for News+ subscribers. This addition provides access to a vast collection of recipes, restaurant reviews, and food-related articles. A notable feature is the “Cooking Mode,” which presents recipes in a step-by-step format, optimized for the iPad’s display. Users can initiate timers directly within the interface, streamlining the cooking process. This feature is particularly beneficial for home cooks seeking a seamless digital cooking companion.
2. Sketch Style in Image Playground
Image Playground, Apple’s AI-driven image creation tool, is receiving a creative boost with the introduction of the “Sketch” style. This new option allows users to generate images that mimic hand-drawn sketches, adding an artistic flair to digital creations. Whether starting from scratch or modifying existing photos, the Sketch style offers a fresh avenue for artistic expression on the iPad.
3. Redesigned Mail App with Enhanced Categorization
The Mail app undergoes a significant redesign in iPadOS 18.4, bringing features previously exclusive to the iPhone. Users will benefit from automatic inbox categorization, which organizes emails into sections such as Primary, Promotions, and Social, facilitating a more organized email experience. Additional enhancements include a digest view that consolidates email threads, improved sorting options, and the display of contact photos within the inbox. These updates aim to streamline email management and improve user productivity.
4. Ambient Music Controls in Control Center
Control Center introduces “Ambient Music” controls, offering users quick access to mood-based playlists. The four available options—Chill, Productivity, Sleep, and Wellbeing—are linked to curated Apple Music playlists designed to suit various activities and moods. Users have the flexibility to customize these controls by selecting from a range of Apple-curated playlists or choosing their own, providing a personalized auditory experience directly from the Control Center.
Additional Enhancements in iPadOS 18.4
Beyond these primary features, iPadOS 18.4 includes several other notable improvements:
– Apple Intelligence Language Expansion: Apple Intelligence now supports additional languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. This expansion makes AI-driven features more accessible to a global audience. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
– New Emoji Additions: The update introduces new emojis such as “Face with Bags Under Eyes,” “Fingerprint,” “Leafless Tree,” “Root Vegetable,” “Harp,” “Shovel,” and “Splatter,” enriching the expressive options available to users. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
– Vision Pro App Integration: For users of the Vision Pro headset, a dedicated app on the iPad facilitates content discovery and management, including sections for Immersive Video and 3D movies, as well as options to download apps directly to the headset. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
– Privacy Indicators: The update enhances privacy indicators by making the dots that signal camera or microphone usage more prominent, now appearing on the left side of the menu bar with a black background for increased visibility. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
– Genmoji Labeling: The Genmoji feature receives a clearer label in the emoji keyboard, now displaying “Genmoji” alongside a multicolored smiley face, making it more identifiable for users. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
– Photos App Filters: New filtering options in the Photos app allow users to sort their library by images shared by others or those not included in any album, aiding in better organization and retrieval of photos. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
– Type to Siri Enhancements: When using Type to Siri, the keyboard now collapses after Siri responds, providing a cleaner interface. Users can tap the Siri bar to input another request, streamlining the interaction process. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
– Back Tap Notifications: For users utilizing the Back Tap accessibility feature, the update introduces notifications confirming when a double or triple tap action is performed, offering immediate feedback on the gesture’s execution. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
– App Store Review Summaries: The App Store now provides concise summaries of customer reviews, enabling users to quickly gauge the general sentiment and quality of an app before downloading. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-4-features/?utm_source=openai))
Conclusion
iPadOS 18.4 is set to deliver a range of features that enhance the iPad’s functionality across various domains, from cooking and creativity to communication and entertainment. These updates reflect Apple’s commitment to providing a versatile and user-friendly experience, catering to the diverse needs of its global user base.
