iOS 26.4 beta brings AI playlists and video podcasts to Apple apps

Apple this week released the public beta for iOS 26.4, its latest mobile operating system update. The release introduces several feature updates across Apple’s consumer applications. Key additions include an AI-powered playlist generator within Apple Music, video support for the Podcasts app via HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), and the initial testing of end-to-end encrypted Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging.

The video podcast push follows competitor Spotify’s expansion into video content. Under the new update, creators can publish video podcasts using HLS, allowing listeners to switch between audio and video playback. At launch, this HLS video delivery is supported by hosting platforms including Acast, Amazon’s ART19, Triton’s Omny Studio, and SiriusXM.

For music listeners, Apple Music’s new playlist feature uses Apple Intelligence to generate playlists from text prompts. This tool allows users to generate a custom 25-song playlist based on their text inputs.

The update also prioritizes device security. Stolen Device Protection is now enabled by default in iOS 26.4, adding an extra layer of biometric authentication for sensitive actions such as accessing saved passwords or making certain account changes. By requiring Face ID or Touch ID authentication in more scenarios, Apple reduces the risk of unauthorized access if a device is stolen and the passcode is compromised.

For drivers, Apple’s CarPlay will offer access to third-party AI services for the first time. This integration allows users to interact with services including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude directly from their vehicles.

While the beta expands the operating system’s capabilities, it notably omits a next-generation Siri experience, which is reportedly absent from this release. Users registered for the public beta can access these features now, while the wider public release of iOS 26.4 is expected in March or April.

The iOS 26.4 beta includes several other functional updates:

• Encrypted Messaging Limits: Encrypted RCS messaging is currently only testing between iPhones in beta.
• Camera Audio: The update introduces Audio Zoom for the Camera app, which focuses the microphone on the subject as you zoom in.
• Ambient Music: The Ambient Music feature is now accessible through a widget, letting users play soundscapes directly from the Home Screen.

Why it matters

This update signals Apple’s aggressive integration of generative AI into core consumer apps while balancing security enhancements, though the notable delay of its next-generation Siri suggests the company is still refining its broader AI assistant strategy.