Ammon News - Today might have been the day that many iPhone users (including myself) were really looking forward to for nearly a year. Ever since Apple first delayed Siri 2.0 last March, the word was that the new version of Siri would be released with iOS 26.4. So we waited and waited for the first iOS 26.4 Beta to be released in the hope that it would contain some, if not all, of Siri's new features.
Once again, Apple fails to meet a deadline for Siri 2.0

But as we got so close to Siri 2.0 that we could taste it, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed the bad news last week. Apple reportedly ran into snags with Siri 2.0 pushing back the release to iOS 26.5 from iOS 26.4. So instead of excitedly installing iOS 26.4 Beta 1 and putting Siri 2.0 through its paces, we have to wait until iOS 26.5 Beta 1 is released in April. Those features include Personal Siri which goes through users' emails, calendars, call history, texts, photos, and more to answer certain questions such as, "What time is my mother's flight landing?"

Siri will also know what is on your screen in iOS 26.5 and will be able to do certain things with this information, such as working with the content listed in apps. Siri will also be able to, with a single command, find a picture, edit it, and send the content. Updates from iOS 26.5 to iOS 27 could give Siri a better understanding of natural language, improved web search, and more.

What iOS 26.4 Beta 1 does include is the beginning of RCS end-to-end encryption. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and toggle on End-to-End Encryption (Beta). This could be toggled on by default and is limited to iPhone-to-iPhone messaging when iMessage is off. Cross-platform support for Android devices will be coming soon. A toggle switch added to the Apple Podcasts app allows users to swap quickly from the video to audio versions of a podcast without losing your place.
Stolen Device Protection is enabled by default on iOS 26.4 Beta 1

Enabled on the iPhone by default in iOS 26.4 Beta 1 is Stolen Device Protection. Originally an optional feature, it will be automatically enabled in the new Beta release. When your iPhone is away from home or work, it will require additional security actions be taken to access certain features. This prevents someone who has stolen your iPhone and knows your passcode from opening certain apps or making changes to your device and accounts.

With Stolen Device Protection enabled, some actions such as accessing stored passwords and credit cards will require the use of Face ID or Touch D biometric authentication to verify your identity. Changing your Apple Account password will require that you wait an hour and then follow up the request with a Face ID or Touch ID verification. If your iPhone is stolen, the time delay prevents a thief from completing critical operations allowing you to report the phone as lost so you can keep your Apple account secure

When your iPhone is at a familiar location such as your home, work, and certain other locations where you regularly use your phone, these extra security steps are not required.

New emoji arrives with the latest iOS Beta

The Wallpaper Gallery gets a redesign and Apple Music will show you a full screen layout when an album or playlist is opened. A "Concerts near you" feature will show you local shows,
tour dates, and artist‑specific concert listings. In the Find My app, a feature called "Precise Outdoor Location" will help you find your lost AirPods in large open spaces. And there are new emoji coming including:

Orca, Landslide, Bigfoot/Sasquatch, Trombone, Treasure Chest, Apple Core, a Distorted Face and the Fight Cloud.

To install the update, you must be subscribed to the iOS Beta Program. Go to Settings > General, Software Update and follow the directions. There are no new Siri features in iOS 26.4 Beta 1.

PhoneArena