Apple Inc. has released the first beta of aniOS 26.4 update, revealing new iPhone features such as video podcasts, an Apple Music tool for playlists, and more. The beta release was only made available to developers and came out on Monday, 16 February.
According toMacRumors, iOS 26.4's features include a new Playlist Playground, an update to Apple Music that helps users locate concerts and shows in their area called 'Concerts Near You,' all-new video podcast capabilities, and an on-by-default Stolen Device Protection instead of an opt-in feature. Though the update still lacks the much-anticipated overhauled Gemini-powered Siri, the new AI feature may make up for that.
Below are the new features introduced by the iOS 26.4 update.
Apple Music has introduced a new feature called the Playlist Playground in the new iOS 26.4 update, which allows users to create a playlist using text prompts. This means users have the option to type in a playlist name or idea, after which the app will suggest songs to include in the playlist.
Apple Music just got even better 🔥https://t.co/jLDmKO8o5Jpic.twitter.com/mGsWHIQjDV
The Apple Music app already includes predefined playlists such as 'hip-hop party songs,' disco songs that defined the 1970s,' and 'morning coffee music,' all designed to give users an idea on how playlists can be created.
This highlights AI-automation within the Apple Music app, which, until the update, limited users' playlist creation to a more manual search-and-add approach, which was time-consuming to say the least.
With the Playlist Playground, users can type in their playlist idea which may be based on a mood, and the Playlist Playground will generate a 25-song list instantly. Users can then customise these playlists to make it their own, even adding their own cover and descriptions.
Another Apple Music update is a brand-new feature that lets users find the concerts and events happening near their location. Previously, this feature was only available via Apple's Shazam app.
The new Apple Podcasts feature introduced in iOS 26.4 is the native video podcast support. This feature, powered by HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), allows users to download video podcasts and video-and-audio playback switching, perYugatech.
Source: International Business Times UK
