HomeTechnology5 changes to know about in Apple's latest iOS, macOS, and iPadOS betas

5 changes to know about in Apple's latest iOS, macOS, and iPadOS betas

TechnologyFebruary 18, 2026
1 min read
5 changes to know about in Apple's latest iOS, macOS, and iPadOS betas
The 26.3 updates were mostly invisible; these changes are more significant.

This week, Apple released the first developer betas for iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, macOS 26.4, and its other operating systems. On Tuesday, it followed those up with public beta versions of the same updates.

Usually released around the midpoint between one major iOS release and the next, the *.4 updates to its operating system usually include a significant batch of new features and other refinements, and if the first beta is any indication, this year's releases uphold that tradition.

A new "Playlist Playground" feature will let Apple Music subscribers generate playlists with text prompts, and native support for video podcasts is coming to the Podcasts app. The Creator Studio version of the Freeform drawing and collaboration app is also available in the 26.4 updates, allowing subscribers to access stock images from Apple's Content Hub and to insert AI-generated images.

Read full article

Comments

Source: Ars Technica

Share this article

Related Articles

The future of local TV news has taken a Trumpian turn
2026Apr 19

The future of local TV news has taken a Trumpian turn

This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more stories on Big Tech versus politics in Washington, DC, follow Tina Nguyen and read Regulator.

Article1 min read
Read More
The Stars My Destination is classic proto-cyberpunk
2026Apr 19

The Stars My Destination is classic proto-cyberpunk

This might feel like a somewhat obvious recommendation to some, but it flew under my radar until now. Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination (originally published as Tiger! Tiger! in the UK) is a 19

Article1 min read
Read More