Apple Releases iOS 11.4; With Messages on iCloud, AirPlay 2 & Stereo Pairing
for the HomePod
Apple has today released iOS 11.4 and updated HomePod software to the
public.
Today's releases finally mark the roll-out of two features which have been
promised in iOS 11 since it was announced in June of last year - Messages on
iCloud and AirPlay 2.
Messages on iCloud brings much improved message syncing, meaning that
deleting a message on one device will also remove it from any other devices
that use the same Apple ID. When setting up a new device, all of your
existing messages will be available. Additionally, older messages and
attachments are stored in iCloud rather than locally on your device, so
should free up storage space.
With AirPlay 2, the same audio content can be played in multiple rooms on
devices that support AirPlay 2. 9to5mac
<https://9to5mac.com/2018/05/29/ios-11-4-coming-today-homepod-gains-multiroo
m-audio-and-stereo-pairing-with-airplay-2/> offers a little more on what
this and support for stereo will bring:
With multiroom, users can play the same music on their Apple TV, HomePod and
(soon) Sonos speakers all in sync. You can also use Siri on the iPhone to
start playing content on another device, like asking Siri to 'play [album
name] in the kitchen' and then say 'also play this upstairs'. This relies on
tight integration with HomeKit rooms and zones.
Stereo pairing allows customers with two HomePods to join them together, and
act as a group. This enables stereo audio separation for tracks and making
the sound better fill a space. Apple uses special algorithms to balance the
music, so it's more than just a naive split of left and right sound tracks.
HomePod users will see version 11.4 of the HomePod software released today,
and according to The Verge
<https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/29/17403684/airplay-2-ios-114-stereo-homepo
d-available-now> brings one further change of note to Apple's smart
speaker:
The HomePod 11.4 software update will now support calendar queries via Siri.
You can ask when you have scheduled events, and add a new meeting. This
works with any calendar set up in the paired iPhone's Calendar app. It
relies on the same Personal Requests system as reminders, notes and
messages.
The new HomePod software will be installed automatically on the HomePod
after you update to iOS 11.4, but you can also manually update and check
your software version by following the instructions in Macrumors' guide
<https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/homepod-software-update/> .
iOS 11.4 also introduces a new ClassKit framework, which adds support for
new tools and applications for schools and students
announced at Apple's March 27 education-focused event
At the time of posting, we are unaware of any changes, new bugs or
regressions for blind or low vision users in iOS 11.4.
However, as we always stress, it is impossible for us to test all devices;
configurations; and use cases.
iOS 11.4 is available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software
Update) or via iTunes on a Mac or PC.
Apple Releases watchOS 4.3.1 for the Apple Watch & tvOS 11.4 With AirPlay 2
Support for the Apple TV
Alongside the release of iOS 11.4 and updated HomePod software
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/ios-news/apple-releases-ios-114-messages-iclo
ud-airplay-2-and-stereo-pairing-homepod> , Apple has today released software
updates for the Apple TV and Apple Watch.
According to MacRumors
<https://www.macrumors.com/2018/05/29/apple-releases-tvos-11-4/> , tvOS 11.4
includes the following changes:
The tvOS 11.4 update, paired with iOS 11.4, introduces support for AirPlay 2
functionality. AirPlay 2 is designed to bring multi-room audio to the Apple
ecosystem, allowing the same music to be played on multiple devices
throughout the home.
tvOS 11.4 turns the Apple TV into an AirPlay 2-compatible device that's
listed in the Home app for HomeKit devices. AirPlay 2 playback can be
controlled through the Apple TV, through an iOS device, or using Apple's
personal assistant, Siri, to play content using voice commands.
AirPlay 2 is limited to the Apple TV and the HomePod at the current time,
but it will expand to additional audio devices in the future.
tvOS 11.4 also introduces performance improvements, security enhancements,
and bug fixes for issues that have been discovered since the release of tvOS
11.3.
According to MacRumors
<https://www.macrumors.com/2018/05/29/apple-releases-watchos-4-3-1/> ,
"watchOS 4.3.1 is minor in scale, focusing primarily on bug fixes and other
under-the-hood performance improvements, with no major feature changes
discovered during the beta testing period".
At the time of posting, we are unaware of any changes for blind and low
vision users in today's releases.
To install tvOS 11.4, go to the Settings channel then look for the System
section near the bottom. From here, look for Software Updates under
Maintenance, then select Update Software and Download and Install.
watchOS 4.3.1 is available by going to the Watch app on your iPhone and
navigating to General> Software Update. To install the update, your Watch
must be connected to its charger and have at least 50% battery power.
