Apple released the first beta for developers iOS 26.4. Brings a bunch of new features for iPhone – from smart playlists to video podcasts to greater message security. Public beta It should arrive in a few weeks and the production version is expected in the spring.
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Music, podcasts, and other apps
Playlist Playground v Apple Music allows you to create a playlist from just text. You type in an idea, mood, or style, and the system will generate 25 songs with their own titles. You can then further customize the playlist with additional prompts and choose cover art and a label.
V Apple Music The "Concerts Nearby" feature is also being added, which is intended to show nearby performances and tour dates for the artists you listen to. At the same time Apple redesigned the appearance of albums and playlists - there is now a full-page album cover.
V Apple PodcastEch Video podcasts are coming. Playback runs over HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), so it should be smooth on both Wi-Fi and mobile data. You'll be able to switch between listening and watching in the app, and you'll be able to download video episodes for offline use. Video content is expected to be featured in recommendations as well as the New and Categories sections.
News they get new animations (for example when starting a conversation). And in App Store, Apple Music and other applications are unifying the account center – a new Apple The Account Hub replaces the profile page. App Store In addition, it connects apps with purchase history, has a separate updates section (newly with two taps), and search is changing so that it appears at the top after a tap.
It's heading to the home screen and lock screen Ambient Music widget for built-in "ambient" music (sleep, concentration, wellbeing and more). And Wallpaper gallery gets a new design with the ability to download wallpapers by category (Weather, Astronomy, Emoji, etc.). The watch face gallery in the app also gets the same facelift. Apple Watch.
Freeform will see the Creator Studio (for subscribers). Adds a Content Hub with shapes, plus access to curated content (graphics, photos, illustrations) and AI tools for image creation and editing. And by the way – Freeform It also has a new icon.
Reminders are getting a new “Urgent” section. Items marked as urgent should always have alarm, so the system will notify you "loud and clear" about the deadline.
In Settings → iCloud item is increasing below iCloud.com, which replaces the old toggle for accessing data on the web. There's also a new "Allow Search" option so trusted devices can provide search results for iCloud. Com.
Privacy, security and EU changes
Theft protection iPhone raises the bar. Protection of stolen devices is now enabled by default on all devices. The goal is to make it more difficult for an attacker to read the code, steal the phone, and then use it to turn off the Find My service, access passwords, or financial accounts. Pro sensitive actions will be required by the system Face ID/Touch ID, in some cases functions will not work at all without verification, and in others an hour-long security delay will apply.
iOS 26.4 (along with iPadOS and macOS Tahoe 26.4) tests end-to-end encryption for RCS. Apple is working with the GSM Association on this. Encrypted RCS conversations should have a lock icon. Currently, RCS is mainly being tested iPhone-iPhone, full commitment to communication iPhone-Android is expected to come in some of the next versions iOS 26.
Gallery
Emoji They are not directly added in this beta, but the code suggests that new characters such as a trombone, treasure chest, "distorted" face, furry creature (Bigfoot), radish, or ballet shoes may arrive later.
In the European Union, tested features are returning to third-party devices. Notification Forwarding allows you to forward notifications from iPhone on smartwatches outside the ecosystem Apple (e.g. Android), but only to one device at a time – if forwarding is active, Apple Watch will not receive a notification. It is also mentioned Proximity Pairing: one-click pairing by placing the accessory on the iPhone/iPad, similar to AirNote: These changes are related to pressure from regulators and the European Commission.
I'm personally most excited about two things: the encryption basics of RCS (this is a huge step forward for secure cross-platform communication) and the fact that Stolen Device Protection is available.onePlaylist Playground sounds fun, but the key will be the quality of the recommendations and whether Apple can really hit playlists in the long run.
Notification Forwarding is again unavailable.... Promises error....
Hello, was there going to be an update for the Health app (total redesign)? Or will it be later?