The next firmware update after the iOS 11.3 is not expected to drop anytime soon, although Apple has already teased its possible features via the update's first public beta trial. The iOS 11.4 is tipped to have the features that were omitted from the earlier version of the first iOS 11 build, particularly the AirPlay 2 and Messages in Cloud.
The first public beta version of the iOS 11.4 was made available to software developers and qualified testers earlier this April. According to 9to5Mac, the iOS 11.4 public beta 1 highlights Messages in Cloud, a feature that synchronizes the user's messages in all of his or her owned Apple devices.
When the user removes a message in a conversation using one Apple device, the same message will also be deleted other device platforms, like the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. Messages in Cloud is also a helpful tool to create more storage space, as the new messages will be the only ones remaining in the device's internal memory, while the older messages will be transferred to iCloud.
Another returning feature in the iOS 11.4 is the AirPlay 2, which includes the updated version of AirPlay wireless standard. Apple first introduced AirPlay to the iOS devices in 2010, and the latest updates in the feature include HomeKit integration, multi-room audtio, and additional audio-related enhancements.
The iOS 11.4 public beta also has the new ClassKit framework, a feature that software developers will find more useful compared to regular users. The HomePod stereo pairing update was also included in the beta version of iOS 11.4, but this feature cannot be fully tested yet until the main HomePod update for the iOS devices is released.
Meanwhile, Forbes has reported a few issues in connection with the recent iOS 11.3 update. Some of the problems noted by users in online forums are audio distortion while playing music, and the FaceTime calls and podcasts suddenly being cut off. The upcoming iOS 11.4 could have the necessary fixes to solve these glitches.
