iOS 11.4 was launched for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch this evening by the Apple company, the new version of the operating system being announced for availability even by the Americans this very afternoon. iOS 11.4 has been tested for several months in a variety of beta versions, so that we can finally install the final version on our phones and tablets, but without much news.
iOS 11.4 was initially announced by the Apple company with a variety of novelties for the educational environment, functions that offer students and teachers new ways to learn, or teach, together with the iPad 2018. For the rest of the iDevices, iOS 11.4 brings changes minor, mainly by fixing performance issues, but it also brings AirPlay 2 after the technology was initially expected in iOS 11.3, but was pulled before the update was released.
iOS 11.4 has been RELEASED for iPhone and iPad
iOS 11.4 also brings Messages in the Cloud, a function that allows the synchronization of iCloud messages on several iDevices connected to the same Apple ID, the function was initially announced in June 2017, but is offered only now. iOS 11.4 also comes with new functions for HomePod, which will finally have stereo, and will allow interconnection with other tablets to play the same songs in different rooms, Siri will become smarter and have support for the Calendar application.
iOS 11.4 is currently distributed worldwide, it can be installed through the Software Update system, Software Update, or with the help of iTunes. To install iOS 11.4 directly from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, go to Settings > General > Software Update, Configurations > General > Software Update, and follow the instructions on the screen, and if the update still does not appear, then you have a little more patience until it is available.
iOS 11.4 is released less than a week before iOS 12 is presented, WWDC 2018 starting next Monday at 20:00.
UPDATED: watchOS 4.3.1 and tvOS 11.4 have been released.
UPDATE 2: Here are all the news that iOS 11.4 brings.
"iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2 multi-room audio, support for HomePod stereo pairs, and Messages in iCloud. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.
AirPlay 2
- Control your home audio system and AirPlay 2-enabled speakers throughout your house
- Play music at the same time on multiple AirPlay 2-enabled speakers in your house, all in sync
- Control AirPlay 2-enabled speakers from Control Center, the Lock screen, or AirPlay controls within apps on your iPhone or iPad
- Use your voice to control AirPlay 2-enabled speakers with Siri from your iPhone or iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV
- Take a call or play a game on your iPhone or iPad without interrupting playback on your AirPlay 2-enabled speakers
HomePod stereo pair
- This update supports setting up your HomePod stereo pair using your iPhone or iPad
- HomePod pair automatically senses its location in the room and balances the sound based on the speakers' locations
- Advanced beamforming provides wider soundstage than traditional stereo pair
- HomePod will automatically update to support stereo pairs, unless auto updates are disabled in the Home app
Messages in iCloud
- Store your messages, photos, and other attachments in iCloud and free up space on your devices
- All your messages appear when you sign into a new device with the same iMessage account
- When you delete messages and conversations they are instantly removed from all your devices
- To turn on Messages in iCloud, enable Messages in iCloud settings (Settings > [your name] > iCloud)
- Your conversations continue to be end-to-end encrypted
Other improvements and fixes
- Enables teachers to assign their students reading activities in iBooks using the Schoolwork app
- Fixes an issue where certain character sequences could cause Messages to crash
- Addresses a Messages issue that could cause some messages to appear out of order
- Addresses an issue that could prevent logging in or accessing files on Google Drive, Google Docs and Gmail in Safari
- Fixes an issue that could prevent data syncing in Health
- Fixes an issue that could prevent users from changing what apps can access Health data
- Resolves an issue that could cause an app to appear in an incorrect location on the Home screen
- Fixes an issue where CarPlay audio could become distorted
- Fixes an issue where selecting music from your iPhone could fail when playing music over Bluetooth or when connected to USB on some vehicles"
