iOS 12 is near that will be announced at WWDC event which is going to be held on June 4 and now Apple is pushing last update for iOS 11 that is now available for iPhone and iPad.
iOS 11.4 brings new features like Messages in iCloud, AirPlay 2, HomePod stereo pairing and more..
Messages in iCloud allow users to sync their messages across all devices. That means if you keep a message on one devices, it will be available on all devices and if you delete it, it will be deleted from all devices. This feature works on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Mac. watcOS is excluded so if you delete a message accidentally, it will remain on at least once device and that is Apple Watch which is a great thing.
Also with this new update, HomePod gains an AirPlay 2 support where you will be able to connect multiple speakers, gains calendar support and more.
Check out iOS 11.4 changes below:
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
HomePod 11.4
- iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2 multi-room audio and support for stereo pairs.
- Place two HomePod in the same room and create a stereo pair
- Each HomePod in a pair automatically senses its location in the room
- Advanced beamforming provides wider soundstage than traditional stereo pair
- Use AirPlay 2 to play the same song everywhere or different songs in different rooms to multiple HomePod and other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers
- Schedule, cancel, and stay up to date with your Calendar appointments (available in US, UK, Australia)
