Apple is releasing iOS 11.4, the latest version of its mobile operating system for iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. The release comes nearly two months after Apple released the first beta versions of iOS 11.4, macOS 10.13.5, tvOS 11.4, and watchOS 4.3.1. Most notable in the new iOS release is long-awaited support for AirPlay 2, Apple’s proprietary streaming protocol, which is expected to enable synchronized audio playback through multiple HomePod speakers.
AirPlay 2 support was originally expected to launch alongside the HomePod in February, but apparently wasn’t ready for prime time, so the speaker has been restricted to single-unit performance until today.
Though HomePod’s sales have reportedly been underwhelming, Apple is looking to change that by expanding the speaker’s capabilities and availability outside of its initial territories. A press release says that a two-HomePod pair will actually offer left and right stereo sound — a feature that became ambiguous during the speaker’s launch period — or multi-room support.
Apple is also expected to include support in iOS for Messages in iCloud, an optional feature that can synchronize and store all of your Messages app history across all of your iOS and macOS devices. Like AirPlay 2, this feature has bounced in and out of iOS betas, having originally been announced at WWDC last year.
Approximately 2GB in size, iOS 11.4 supports all iPhone models from the iPhone 5s through iPhone X, all iPads from the iPad Air and iPad mini 2 through the iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and the sixth-generation iPod touch. It will be available for download directly from the Software Update feature of supported devices this afternoon.
